Do I self isolate or not?! Health services being useless!!

[CassandraGoth]

Called nhs 111 this morning with all over muscular pains and a fever. They told me to ring GP. GP I’d saying I need to ring 111 back. Rang 111 back and they said GP needs to makes the call regarding self isolating. Rang them back, secretary said I “probably should” self isolate but I’m only having intermittent coughing ... maybe 10 minute coughing spells a day. Dry cough.

Headache, very hot and sweaty, freezing cold the next. Stabbing pains in the throat.

Have rang my manager and she doesn’t know, she said I have to do what GP says but they’ve not rang back and now I can’t get through!!!

I’m a community nurse if that makes any difference?! No idea what I’m supposed to do now as I feel okish apart from the temp irregulation, a bit light headed and achy. I don’t feel “really unwell” so in ordinary circumstances I’d crack on usual but with current situation ...

YABU to post this in AIBU

Basically I feel a fraud ringing in sick when I feel more or less ok and physically able to work.

This morning I felt like death however but it got better as thee at went on (apart from the hot and sweaty thing)

Erm no I would not you have the chance to pass on whatever bug it is corona or otherwise to anyone you treat . I have no medical training you have more than me but I would say it makes sense to self isolate .

You’re a nurse, you’re sick. Stay home.

As you’re a nurse I think you should stay home whether it’s corona or not - it sounds nasty whatever it is and you wouldn’t want to pass it on to vulnerable patients

my view is self isolate

I think things are likely to change rapidly so it will become clearer HOWEVER you are a community nurse and ripe to seed the virus bloody everywhere including vulnerable.

ISO

It’s just that manager seemed unconcerned and more leaning towards me going in tomorrow. Made me feel more of a fraud!

I would stay home with those symptoms. Even if it's not COVID, no one else wants to catch it. Stay home and drink tea and hopefully feel better soon!

I’d see what GP says - hopefully you’ll be able to speak to them at some point today... if not first thing tomorrow?

I’m in the same boat- work in healthcare and have had a bad cold the last few days but was scheduled off work anyway. Felt conflicted today but came in as they are thin on the ground anyway- I’ve just been extra thorough with gloves and hand washing! The current advice is not to self isolate unless you have travelled or been near a confirmed case- think it’s woefully inadequate but it is current advice and can’t even get tested.

You have a fever and feel ill.
Coronavirus doesn’t need to be a factor in today or tomorrow’s decision. You’re sick. You need to stay at home at least until you’re better.
The more complicated question is whether you need to stay away from work for 7 or 14 days total or whether you can return as soon as you’re better. Hopefully more public health advice will come soon and help you with that

Self isolate. I’m doing the same as DH and I have similar symptoms. Dc are at home with us as well in case they spread it. They’re fine though. I thought the advice was self isolate if you have a fever. Common sense would also suggest this, especially as you are likely to be seeing vulnerable patients!

Very hard to know! I'm the same - unwell but not so bad I would normally stay off, i don't want to infect anyone, but it will mean someone else having to work twice as hard if I don't go in.

As a district nurse My manager was **happy for me to come to work with:

•D&V

• wanted me to drive on a starting dose of Gabapentin 600mg, then 60mg of cocodamol every 4-6 hours and diazepam, trammadol

• wanted me to do physio in the streets!!!! Or patients houses!!!! “Lay on the floor and stretch!” She said.

•wanted me to come to work with a newly fractured elbow

And quiet frankly the list of stupidity goes on. They want the job done, regardless of the circumstances.

Time to self isolate OP. Hope you feel better soon

If you’re a nurse you’re probably more able to answer that question based on your current symptoms than a receptionist on the phone, can’t you decide for yourself? What if someone you’re visiting had the same issue? Have you not been briefed on this by your employer?

Hi @CassandraGoth, we've moved this over to the coronavirus topic.

Ps your manager is just worried that they’ll have to arrange cover for your work, or worse still, have to get out of their office and visit some patients themselves. What would you tell your best friend? Take a few days off and review how you’re feeling. Also does your local A&E have a coronavirus testing pod? Would be worth a visit.

Well you sound quite ill so obviously don't go to work.
With regards to self quarantine I don't think current advice suggests you should (unless you've been in an affected country or in contact with an infected person).
That advice might change today though m

You're a nurse.... who's clearly unwell regardless of whether it's corona or not. Obviously you should call in sick!!!

Regardless of the current situation a nurse should not be treating someone who has a temperature and is clearly unwell

Call in sick. If you pass your bug on, other people might well self isolate for your cough believing they have coronavirus.

If you was working in a small office with just a few others and could explain that you’re poorly but don’t have cv then maybe go in, but working in a public building, I think it’s best you don’t share your germs.
Get well soon.

www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/primary-care/
Download the letter to nurses.
Look on the NMC.
Forward the details to your manager.