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Original poster

Work in a school - nasty cold, what to do?

34 replies

PNomintrude · 17/03/2020 20:15

I keep reading contradictory things about this. Basically I've got all the symptoms of a cold, including croaky voice, sneezing, a chesty/mucousy cough, stuffy nose. No high temperature. Can I just check that the general advice is that these are not symptoms of Corona? I just feel like I'm going to be getting the evil eye going in like this and I don't want to cause any anxiety, but equally I know staffing is an issue so won't self-isolate - unless I'm at somehow wrong about these symptoms? I feel a bit paranoid as I've read some accounts that say it can manifest in a similar way to a standard cold.

OP posts:
FloofenHoofen · 17/03/2020 20:16

I thought you had to self isolate now even if there was no fever? If you have a cough or not feeling well you're supposed to self isolate.

FabulouslyElegantTits · 17/03/2020 20:17

No, I don't think you should go into school. The level of panic it would generate would counteract any benefit if you being there.

Randomschoolworker19 · 17/03/2020 20:17

You have to self isolate, we've got lots of staff off now self isolating.

Reginabambina · 17/03/2020 20:17

It sounds like a cold but you need to isolate anyway.

HappyHammy · 17/03/2020 20:17

You cant go in, even if it's just a could you can pass it on and that's not fair on anyone. Ohone the Head and ask if there is anything you can help with from home.

SabineSchmetterling · 17/03/2020 20:18

You have to self isolate.

MyHipsDontLieUnfortunately · 17/03/2020 20:21

If your cough is new you should be off, 'however mild'.

It's difficult though. We are SI as DS has developed a cough, quite nasty but he'd usually have to suck it up and we'd send him in. I'm getting frosty vibes from work but what am I to do? If I ignore the guidance and we all go about life as usual, then it turns out we are infectious, it's our fault. I found out only today that a student I teach has quite a serious underlying condition so I hope I haven't already spread anything.

It's very difficult. I fully expect to be jumped on now and told it isn't, I must stay home.

Am I a key worker or am I not?

foamrolling · 17/03/2020 20:22

You have a cough so you need to self isolate. Doesn't matter if its mucusy and you don't have a temp, the guidance is very clear.

Original poster
PNomintrude · 17/03/2020 20:22

I'm confused as I thought it was only for a fever or persistent cough? Like a dry, hacking cough?

OP posts:
ZombieFan · 17/03/2020 20:25

a chesty/mucousy cough

You have to go into quarantine for 7 days alone, or 14 days with your family. Its black and white.

SouthWestmom · 17/03/2020 20:25

I have a mild cold, no temperature and no cough so am carrying on as normal although doing social distancing yourself be sensible. If I was unwell with a cold I wouldn't go to work so I'd probably stay off in your shoes.

foamrolling · 17/03/2020 20:26

What makes you think the definition of persistent is dry and hacking?

reallifegetsintheway2 · 17/03/2020 20:28

I am the same. NHS says continuous cough not just cough.

Original poster
PNomintrude · 17/03/2020 20:28

It's not a 'continuous' cough though?I'm really confused as everything I've read states persistent or continuous.

OP posts:
FlamingoAndJohn · 17/03/2020 20:28

I have a cough. I get bad coughs a couple of times every winter. I know it’s my normal cough. Normally I would go in but I’m taking the week off.

Original poster
PNomintrude · 17/03/2020 20:29

What makes you think the definition of persistent is dry and hacking? Based on the descriptions of it. And it was definitely stated a dry cough.

OP posts:
StealthMama · 17/03/2020 20:32

I'm with you op in that you are not showing symptoms of corona virus.

No temp, no dry cough. All the signs if bad cold or chest infection. Another lady on here went to hospital yesterday with your symptoms and was told the same and sent home.

Minesabecks · 17/03/2020 20:32

A fair number of pupils at school coughing this week. Someone chose to send them in to us.

foamrolling · 17/03/2020 20:32

I've not seen any official advice saying you only need to isolate if the cough is dry. It all says persistent or continuous new cough.

Fannia · 17/03/2020 20:33

I agree a lot of the descriptions say dry cough but the advice now just says any cough.

SansaSnark · 17/03/2020 20:35

A continuous cough means that you are not just coughing as a one off, but coughing regularly throughout the day- which it sounds like you are. Basically not a one off isolated bout of coughing, but an illness where a cough is one of the symptoms.

It's unlikely with your symptoms, you have coronavirus but the official advice is that you should stay off.

If your school is on the ball, they will send you home tomorrow when you go in coughing.

RickOShay · 17/03/2020 20:35

12 yo ds has a sore throat, and headache. No temperature or cough. I’ve kept him off, but should the rest of us self isolate?
I’m a bit confused.

SansaSnark · 17/03/2020 20:37

@RickOShay Not at the moment, unless he develops a temperature/cough.

Original poster
PNomintrude · 17/03/2020 20:37

Ah ok, I hadn't realised it now just says cough, not dry cough. Thank you.

OP posts:
Original poster
PNomintrude · 17/03/2020 20:40

Thank you Sansa I'm now understanding the 'continuous' thing. I'll follow the guidelines and self-isolate.

OP posts: