Do I really need to stay home?

[batmancave]

Me and ds have a cough which i believe is from a cold. We've both had runny noses and no temperature.

Does he really need to stay off school and do I really need to stay off work?

A new continuous cough and/ or high temp.

People are making up their own rules! Stick to the official guidance only not the made you stuff that people would prefer you did.

Also, even if it's just a cold the last thing a person who has asthma or anything else that makes them vulnerable needs. They don't want to be compromised before they catch coronavirus.

Another reason to remove yourself from other people is not just to stop spreading the new virus. It'll also stop you spreading the virus you have (regardless if it's just a regular cold) to others which could make another person more ill than you, adding to the increasing amount of people who will need medical intervention.

@batmancave idk what 111 have told you (they got it wrong last week and were giving out the wrong instructions for 24 hours) but the advice from the NHS website is clearly to self isolate if you have either a new continuous cough, or a fever.

Tbh, even if it is "just a cough" a) anyone who catches it from you will also have to self isolate which is really not helpful for them/ your workplace/the country
b) if you came to my workplace with a cough I'd be telling you in no uncertain terms to get the f* out, and I suspect you colleagues/you child's teachers will do similar.

I would say no you don't have to self isolated. You don't have cough or a temperature. The virus doesn't produce symptom that include a runny nose.

Just re read that you have a cough. Are you continuous coughing? Maybe self isolated today and over weekend and then see what happens.

Ds started coughing after school yesterday. He's been coughing a lot since.

Mine has been a few days.

I would highly suggest you stay off, it doesn't matter if you had the cold before the advice was given. As pp have said, having a cold in public is not a good look like right now and you're just going to make people around you nervous. It feels stupid but it's so important.

If yours is a few days, it's not a new cough and you don't have to isolate.

Also don't forget a high percentage of people only get mild symptoms

If yours is a few days, it's not a new cough and you don't have to isolate.

Within 7 days the advice says.

We are advising all staff who have colds, bugs, sniffles, etc., to stay away and work from home where possible. We don't want other things spreading as well. It also aids the business continuity plan if oeople get to grips early and gradually with working from home.

But I am sure it's just a cold. We are sneezing too.

Are you a doctor? For symptoms, they start same as a cold.
Don't risk it, think about it this way, yes it's annoying, but you could be preventing it spreading to a vulnerable person.

Based on your last post I'd say you need to keep your child off school and you should isolate for 7 days.

I don’t get what’s so hard to understand and follow. It’s a very simple instruction. If you have a new cough (ie you haven’t had it for more than a week) and/or a raised temperature, you need to stay at home for 7 days. It’s not confusing. It’s very clear.

@batmancave I would self isolate in that case. That’s pretty clear cut.

111 hasn't updated to the new gov advice I guess? Stay off from 7 days from when your symptoms started (the advice is v clear if you find it), in your house, distancing 1-2 m if you can from the people you live with and different bed if possible. DH has had a cough since Tues so he is going to do it until then. Coincidentally his cough is worse today. I don't think people in the office or on the plane he's due to catch would appreciate him not following the advice.

@whymewhyme yes, it applies to adults and children. I got an email last night from my childminder confirming that she won't take any children with a new cough or a high temperature and she would no longer be administering calpol. Any poorly children will need collecting immediately.

The advice is bonkers and needs to be clarified. I have a chronic lung condition and another chronic illness which mean unless it’s summer I’m pretty much always coughing. If I had to self isolate for 7 days everyone a new persistent cough started I would quite literally not be able to leave my house.
I’m in the high risk group but I’m not going to self isolate every time I get a flare up of one of my illnesses causing a cough

Yes 7 days from when the cough started.

which mean unless it’s summer I’m pretty much always coughing.

That’s not a new cough then is it and no need to self isolate.

I despair- why are some people so stupid and selfish?

Follow the bloody guidance- it is very clear and simple.

If you don't you are compromising the health, and even lives of others.

What would you say to someone else going against national advice and so putting your own family members at risk of dying in a protracted, very unpleasant manner.

I started coughing 4 days ago- was in work yesterday, told to wfh today. So frustrating when I know it’s a cold.

Cough with fever over 37.8C means self isolation for 7 days.

Most ordinary colds do not give a high fever.