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Original poster

What if I’ve just got a cold?!

94 replies

HalfTermHalfTerm · 16/03/2020 08:06

Just like to make it clear that I have not gone in to work today, I am safely shut away in my room!

I had a bit of a sore throat yesterday, but no other symptoms and felt fine. I woke up this morning and have been coughing (perhaps not persistently but regularly) and still have the slightly sore throat. I also have mild pains and a ‘tight’ sort of feeling in my chest.

I had already almost decided that I wasn’t going to be going in to work but I rang my lovely line manager and managed to cough down the phone at her so she confirmed that I needed to stay at home. I have several friends who have had colds recently though, and there will still be a lot of colds going about because of the time of year it is. I’m worried that it is just a cold or a random cough and that I’ll be fine in a day or so and won’t be allowed in to work. Not only will this inconvenience my colleagues but if I haven’t got it now I might actually get it in a few weeks time and need to be off again!

I don’t really know what the point of me posting is, to be honest. But anyone in a similar situation and worrying about the same thing, or has anyone had symptoms that have disappeared in a day or so and then been allowed back in to work?

OP posts:
ShouldIStaySelfIsolated · 17/03/2020 10:02

It's the not knowing that's the worst bit imo I'm missing teaching my exam classes because they wont test and I could be in work. What damage is being done to the economy by keeping healthy people out of work because they're isolating with someone who might have just a cold and could also probably be in work??

Original poster
HalfTermHalfTerm · 17/03/2020 10:17

@Throughabushbackwards that’s interesting, thank you. My (completely not a health care
professional) boyfriend is adamant that I don’t have it, which is fairly unhelpful Hmm

@WoollyFoolly that sounds fairly similar to me. I think I’m coughing a little bit less or about the same but my chest pain is as bad or worse than it was yesterday. I am already a bit worried about how long I’ll have to stay in the house for so I’ve been buying extra animal food on amazon!

@ShouldIStaySelfIsolated I know, I wish I could just get tested and then know either way. I would genuinely much rather be at work (I like my job!) than sat indoors stressing.

OP posts:
ShouldIStaySelfIsolated · 17/03/2020 10:19

Me too! I'm now isolated with a "spirited" 3 year old, a one year old and a husband who works in sales and is on the phone constantly to customers... we both have to continue working but it's incredibly difficult with the kids around

PlomBear · 17/03/2020 10:21

How Mumsnet has changed! From “I’ve never had a day off sick / went into work with no head,” to being told to stay at home with a cold.

Never thought I’d see the day.

Original poster
HalfTermHalfTerm · 17/03/2020 11:06

That does sound difficult! Do you have a garden that you can escape in to for a little bit?

How times change indeed, @PlomBear. Does Birdie Friend have any advice on the matter?

OP posts:
ShouldIStaySelfIsolated · 17/03/2020 11:26

We do. But saving as a last resort, along with tablet screen time. May go out for a drive later as that is allowed apparently... might give us a break while they nap. We might actually be able to work in the car on our drive using the wifi as they only really nap in the car!

SciFiScream · 17/03/2020 11:38

I posted this on another thread:

I've got a sore throat and have lost my voice. I also have a headache. No fever though my temp is 34°
I'm coughing maybe 2 or 3 little coughs an hour.

I sneeze anyway due to allergic rhinitis

I have no idea whether I could have the virus or not. I've not been on public transport as I work from home anyway. Kids aren't on public transport. My DH uses public transport.

Not been near anyone AFAIK with the virus. Kids still at school (we're in Scotland)

We are socially distancing in that all activities are being shut down.

I don't feel that unwell. Just a sore throat really.

My DH is convinced I have the virus. I'm not!

Update my cough is productive. And I'm a bit tired. Wish someone could tell me one way or another.

maa1992 · 17/03/2020 11:42

I've woke up with a bad headache, freezing and achey and the shakes. Mild sore throat and I feel generally stuffy and dizzy

Not sure if it's the virus but I feel terrible.

I have a 5 month old after

Inkpaperstars · 17/03/2020 11:44

ALL COLD AND FLU SYMPTOMS CAN BE A SIGN OF CORONAVIRUS.

govt advice doesn't yet include them in isolation criteria though many doctors are advising they expand that, you should isolate if you have any

eandz13 · 17/03/2020 11:48

I'm in the same boat. I am completely self isolating to be clear because a cough is one of my symptoms and I will be doing for the next 14 days, but along side the cough, muscle aches, tight chest I have a snotty stuffy nose and I'm sneezing. I've read so many conflicting things regarding symptoms. I'm really hoping this is it so it's out of the way for now, but I suppose I'll never know!

Throughabushbackwards · 17/03/2020 12:46

I felt the same way as you OP until it was revealed yesterday that I'd definitely been exposed. I feel strangely better now that I know that very likely have it.

Original poster
HalfTermHalfTerm · 17/03/2020 13:40

I feel strangely better now that I know that very likely have it.

I think I would feel the same way, it would mean that I would definitely be of use to others a bit later on and I wouldn’t need to be feeling guilty about not being at work! How are you feeling now?

My boyfriend is the opposite @SciFiScream, although my mum seems quite confident I do so she is staying away!

OP posts:
Original poster
HalfTermHalfTerm · 17/03/2020 15:37

Has anyone been double bagging their rubbish? I must have missed the memo on that one Blush

OP posts:
MrsPMT · 17/03/2020 21:05

Read someone on another thread day they are aware of sore glands in their neck, which I've definitely had. Also my symptoms keep reducing a bit then coming back. I start to think I'm fine then get a coughing fit and feel awful or walk about and feel light-headed.

MrsPMT · 17/03/2020 21:06

Am aware it could just be a flu virus though. Symptoms would be very similar.

lljkk · 17/03/2020 21:08

Almost certainly all of you just have colds. 90%+ chance.
Situation is so frustrating.

Polkadotpjs · 18/03/2020 05:15

My cough is horrendous and I’m very breathless now. Had to get up as couldn’t stop my last coughing fit. Still no fever. Just feel knackered and crap and trying to keep calm about breathing

MrsPMT · 18/03/2020 09:52

Thank you Dr @lljkk so pleased to have you here Hmm. I wish it was just a cold. Lying around feeling like shit was not really in my plans for March. I go to work/socialise/shop regularly with just a cold.

Original poster
HalfTermHalfTerm · 18/03/2020 10:36

I took it to mean that the situation of people staying inside/not going to work etc when they are more likely to have a cold is frustrating because we’re not getting tested? Hopefully that was it, anyway! Confused

I’m really sorry @Polkadotpjs. What day are you on now?

OP posts:
Polkadotpjs · 18/03/2020 17:59

Day 4. And I’m fine with the idea it’s just a cold. But with the cough which is insane , we HAVE to isolate which would t happen with a cold. That’s why there’s a conversation - yes we maybe do have other viruses but we are where we are. It’s good to talk to others holed up too and I for one am grateful of the conversation

Icare1234 · 18/03/2020 20:26

Day 3 and I now know it was a brief cough, so I’m not I’ll just sore throat. I can’t unisolate though.

I’m much better emotionally because I have laptop and working from home. I’m dreading that “lockdown” happens before I’m released which is Sunday.

Kahlua4me · 18/03/2020 20:59

I have just taken myself into self isolation as have similar symptoms ☹️.

I don’t feel ill at all, just have an infrequent random cough that got a bit worse this evening and a slightly tight chest, although that could well be anxiety. Temp is 36.2 so that’s a good sign I think. However dh is a high risk so thought I would take myself away and see how I feel tomorrow...

I have been fine all day though, went with dogs and dc today for a long walk and was able to walk and chat without coughing. I would be amazed if I caught it really as I always work at home, dh has been home for the last 2 weeks so the only risk is dc going to school and I’ve been making them wash their hands, have a shower and change clothes every day for last 2 weeks.

JunoJigglewick · 19/03/2020 08:41

I'm still coughing, no temperature. Feeling a bit tired but could just be... tired from not sleeping well.

If I knew it was covid-19 then I'd be fine. I'm just worrying I've been over cautious about a big standard cold and the will actually catch it and it will be really bad.

Original poster
HalfTermHalfTerm · 19/03/2020 14:29

If I knew it was covid-19 then I'd be fine. I'm just worrying I've been over cautious about a big standard cold and the will actually catch it and it will be really bad.

That is pretty much how I feel too. The only reason I hope this isn’t it is because I’ve been in contact with a few vulnerable people over the last week or so and I don’t want to have given it to them. Other than that I’m quite hopeful this is it and it’s out the way.

I’m on day 4 or 5 now, still no fever. Coughing seems to be easing off a little bit but the chest pain and tight feeling in the chest is still there. Other than that I feel fine in myself and I wish I was at work. How is everyone else doing?

OP posts:
Kahlua4me · 19/03/2020 15:50

I am feeling fine, no temperature but still coughing intermittently although maybe a bit more than yesterday. However I did do an hours walk with the dogs today, up and down hills and chatting with DS with no coughing so I think that is a good sign. Also went shopping for my father in law, walked to the shops and back again with no coughing.

Actually I only seem to cough when I am thinking about it!