Oh crap I think I've got it???

[whatareyoucooking]

I work in a large secondary school where hygiene practices are... questionable

Started this weekend with a sore throat which gradually got worse (but not terrible) but I've been unable to sleep tonight due to a cough. It's a weird cough, there's mucus there (sorry TMI) but it's not being coughed up and I feel like I'm swallowing it a lot instead. Bleugh. No temperature/fever though.

DH is very blasé "ah it's just a cough" but it's the dreaded Corona isn't it?!

Have just emailed work anyway. At least fridge is stocked up and I've got a couple of loo rolls.

but it's the dreaded Corona isn't it?!

Calm down, you don't know that.

I’m pretty sure I’m in day four of it. It didn’t start with a mucusy cough for me (still no mucusy cough, a short very breathless cough that makes my head spin). For me it started with an unbearably strong headache and a fever and then the chest pains, cough and breathlessness started. Hope you feel better soon OP.

"Calm down" I'm calm enough, thanks Phil.

Yes Furble I had a headache after work on Friday and actually needed a nap!
I've got some shortness of breath too.

Hope you feel better and if it is Corona then it's just a mild case 🙏🏼

Shit.
It's so hard to decide. I've a new cough but also been at mil which is full of cats and I always come away like I've a heavy cold for a few days ....
Very close to calling in for what may be a cat allergy.
Hope you feel better

I am in a very similar boat and I'm sick of people saying "it's a cold" when I've been told by lots of different professionals it's more than likely corona. I'm on day 4 of isolation and slowly feeling better
I will say if you suffer from anxiety the tight chest does blow your socks off xx

I have been coughing all weekend. No shortness of breath or anything like that, a persistent but mild headache, and v v tired. I am not going into work. I hope this is the virus, then I have had it, done, it wasn't too bad..... But if it isn't then I still have that to look forward to....

I'm having to call in today too. I have a really dry cough and a pounding headache. I don't feel awful though so feel a bit bad calling as I know it will leave my colleagues in a difficult situation as I work in a special school. Plus it's hard to break away from the "go in whatever" mentality has been pushed for ages.

Hope all of you start to feel better soon .

Stay at home and don’t feel guilty. Hydrate and keep cosy. Keep your spirits up. When you’re better, there may be lots to do to help others who get it later.

I found this helpful.

My friends daughter came over for a sleepover yesterday, went home early feeling unwell... she said she felt short of breath and had a constant cough! She went home early as she felt so unwell and isn't going into school today..

How do you treat it? I haven't heard anyone give any advice? Just paracetamol? Are you able to drink lots of fluids?

Cough and fever are the two main symptoms.

Is there anywhere near you, you can get tested? I'd call your GP and ask. Id imagine they are overwhelmed with calls but as a teacher it's important you are aware.

I came home from Italy and Switzerland 7 weeks ago and a few days later I developed the strangest of colds. It was horrible and my friends in Italy (Milan) went down with it at the same time as me. A couple of days later the Italians let the world know of the situation there. Im convinced Ive had Coronavirus and my family member who's a GP thinks it as well. Obviously though I had a mild case. It was bad enough.

They don’t test anyone unless you’re sick enough to be in hospital. So unless you think you need medical help I wouldn’t overload 111 anymore than they are.

How do you treat it? I haven't heard anyone give any advice? Just paracetamol? Are you able to drink lots of fluids?
Treat COVID-19? Yes, with paracetamol,. Avoid ibuprofen.

(The virus binds to cells through ACE2. Ibuprofen can increase ACE2. It is currently hypotosised that an increase in ACE2 can lead to more severe symptoms. It is a hypothesis - but i think it's best to avoid ibuprofen where you can.)

squigean she definitely should NOT call her GP, that is the last thing GP surgeries need right now.She wont be tested. They are only testing people in hospital. Gov advice is very clear - only call 111 if you very unwell and need medical help.
hope you feel better soon OP

Guidelines are not to contact your GP? (I'm not in UK and hadn't heard that, so apologise for suggesting it OP.)

I honestly think I had it in February half term.
Awful flu like symptoms, sore throat, cough where nothing was being produced. And the cough was constant. A banging headache for at least 7 days. Then it ended with my chest/throat rattling so loudly that strangers commented on it.

@nanamilly. Can I ask, what were your symptoms like?

Hope you're feeling better soon OP. Definitely take the week off work as advised and phone 111 if it becomes unmanagable and you need help. Other than that, try and have plenty of fluids, paracetamol and rest.

I am wfh for the week as I started coughing g yesterday. DH and I are lucky we can both do that and will try and manage DS between us for the week, so all self isolating in the house. I think mine is a cold (runny nose) but best to be safe.

It's so hard to decide. I've a new cough
@Spongeface it's not hard to decide at all, take the week off and stay home. The guidelines are very clear.

I think anyone who has cold or flu type symptoms should stay home if they are able to. It may or may not be CV and as you won't get tested you will never know, but we all now have a social responsibility not to run the risk of passing the virus on to people who could die if they get it.

Maybe this is an overreaction, but better that than more people dying.