Worried I may have it, will 111 test me?

[mummywiththetummy]

Have been feeling off since Monday, just run down with constant headaches and migraines. Today I went into work and I went from feeling ok to suddenly getting a fever and chills and my entire body aches.

I felt faint and lethargic and my boss sent me home. I have other problems like anaemia and IBS so in all honesty just thought I was having a bit of a rubbish week.

The problem is I work in a hospital. Not only with others in a small office but also with around 30-40 clinicians. I’ve walked around the hospital today on my lunch break and now I’m so worried I have unintentionally spread it to my colleagues and to possibly vulnerable patients.

After watching Boris I understand I have to self isolate. I haven’t got a cough yet but everything else makes me believe I have definitely got the flu. My chest feels heavy like someone is sitting on it and my neck is stiff.

I don’t know what to do? I’m not one to create panic and will feel like a wolly if I don’t have it but at the same time I’m worried that if I do it could spread like wild fire?

I’m currently still stuck in bed quarantining myself from my husband and my young child is still with his grandparents who look after him whilst I’m at work.

Looking for advice of anyone who has called them or anyone in a similar situation. Please no nasty comments.

Forgot to say I have a fever

I work in a GP practice and as far as I know 111 are only testing if you or someone you are in close contact with has travelled abroad to a significantly affected country.

Pretty sure the press conference today said there will be no more testing unless you're admitted to hospital.

Probably not. They are keeping the numbers down by not testing all potential cases.

No, only testing hospital admissions now

Ok thanks for the replies will just have to ride it out and pray for the best

Advise today is to stay home for 7 days if you have any of the symptoms. Though you sound unwell a way, so probably need some time off to recover.

Not trying to be nasty, but you know the current advice is to self isolate but you’re simultaneously unsure what to do?

The current UK plan is if you think you have it, self isolate for 7 days as after that period, the chance of you infecting others decreases. Which is particularly pertinent for you as you work in a hospital.

As far as testing goes, they aren’t routinely testing people as they expect a significant amount of the population to catch it at some point, therefore it will be a drain on NHS resources to spend time testing people. They are focusing testing on more vulnerable groups eg hospital patients. If you think you have it, you’re advised to only seek medical assistance once you’d reach the point where you’d normally go to hospital. So for example, don’t go because you have mild symptoms but go because something severe is going on eg coughing up blood.

I think your colleagues and patients will appreciate you staying at home if you’re poorly, so no need to feel like a wolly if you don’t have it because you’re doing the right thing? You’re intention is to reduce the possibility of infecting others, regardless of if you actually have it or not.

@mnthrowaway202020

I didn’t ask about quarantining myself, I said in my post that I’m already doing this.

What I was unsure of was whether I needed to let 111 know because I work in a hospital to prevent if possibly spreading to others.

I know I don’t need to go to A&E at the moment. I feel awful but not to the extent I need hospital intervention.

Self isolate, let your manager know your symptoms and who you may have been in contact with- bluntly pass that judgement call on due to the hospital setting, and call if you require medical assistance. They might test because you work in a hospital and it is definitely worth their while knowing. Hope you feel better soon.

Just going off the broadcast earlier, they’re trying to avoid the burden on 111 so are asking people not to call, and stated they won’t routinely test so they may not necessarily offer you a test regardless of your job.

I think as PP suggested, you should contact your management directly and explain your worries, let them advise you for now. As the pandemic develops, there will certainly be more and more healthcare workers being infected so guidelines/protocol will develop