What happens when we've had it?

[Walkthroughthefire]

I'm pretty sure I have it just now. Either that or it's completely coincidental that I have a chest infection! I've been isolating since Monday.
Anyway, if I've had it, am I safe to go out next week to get groceries?
Am I immune now?

[Walkthroughthefire]

@fivefourthree, thank you. And to everyone else that's ill.

That's the problem, how are we supposed to know if no one will test us?

As I said, not planning on going anywhere but it would be good to know one way or the other

[T0tallyFuckedUpFamily]

Please don’t assume that you have it, without confirmation from a test, because there is also a nasty virus kicking about at the minute. I’m concerned that people may assume that they’ve had it and they’re now safe to mix with others or come into contact with vulnerable people, while brewing and spreading actual COVID19.

[Fivefourthree]

OP, sorry, I meant to wish you well [flowers
If you just have mild cough after 7 days you can go out, but not if you are still feeling ill.
Good luck!

[squiglet111]

Now I'm pretty sure it was me that infected my husband as his symptoms are similar to what I had, so I infected him way after 7 days.... So I still must be contagious. I accidently coughed near him last weekend and he felt my cough on his face, then a day or two later he was ill...so must have been me. So the nhs guidelines are wrong that coughs isn't contagious after 7 days

[GrumpyHoonMain]

I have had something for the last 3 weeks. My phlegm is finally clearing but I have had every Covid and viral pneumonia symptom under the sun.

[squiglet111]

If I have it I've had it for over 2 weeks now. Been about 18 days. My daughter had it first nearly 3 weeks ago, she recovered within days but she still does have an occasional cough. My symptoms are down to a cough every now and again and some sinus pain in my forehead.

My husband caught it from me on weekend just gone, so that would have been about 12 days after I got mine. So hard to say what incubation period is (obv that's if we actually have it!)

[Walkthroughthefire]

Yep, clear as mud! I'm not planning on going anywhere, I'm working from home and schools are closed but I will need supplies next week and would feel less guilty about going if I thought I was 'safe'.

[Emmacb82]

It’s 7 days for the first person who gets symptoms. The other people in the household have to isolate for 14 days to make sure they don’t develop symptoms. If they do, they then have to isolate for 7 days. It’s not as straightforward, most people would probably be better off isolating for 14 days to make sure everyone is clear!

[Fivefourthree]

Me too, but DH just spoke to his work about it, and it's definitely first person to get it can go back to work after 7 days assuming no longer showing symptoms.

[slipperywhensparticus]

I'm confused

[Onemorehitandillcrumble]

^ It even says you do not need to stay at home

[Onemorehitandillcrumble]

NHS website says 7 days

[Fivefourthree]

Just been re reading govt.uk guidelines, and it says the first person showing symptoms can resume normal routine if they feel better after 7 days.
That's where the ambiguity lies I think. I'd read it as going out and about (and that's what I'd heard elsewhere) but it could mean they simply stop trying to isolate from the rest of the household.
No wonder we're all confused, because in the same list of dos and don'ts, it says to isolate more if other household members are vulnerable.
Clear as mud!

[TeaAndDarkToast]

Ask your GP for an antibodies test

[Fivefourthree]

It's really not clear. Typically! Different reports say different things. 14 days for everyone is the most logical.

[marriednotdead]

It’s only 7 days if you live alone. 14 days if there are multiple members in the household.
I’d like a test to see if what I’m currently symptomatic with is a chest infection or the virus but I suspect I’ll be somewhere near the back of a multimillion long line.
It’s going to be a long long time before we can let our guards down.

[Fivefourthree]

Last I heard, it was 7 days isolation from start of symptoms for the first person in the household to get it (or symptoms, as most of us aren't being tested) Full 14 days for the rest of the household from the time the first person shows symptoms.
That's from BBC website.
Has it changed?
The way I understand it, even if you know for certain that you've had it, you still practise social distancing afrerwards.
The herd immunity theory was based on people being immune after testing positive and recovering, but it seems nobody is certain yet.
Antibody testing is something that scientists are working on, along with vaccines.

[Imstillskanking]

No. No one really knows yet but it looks like you could be contagious for a couple of weeks after you feel well, and you may also catch the virus again.

It's still all unknown at this point so I would just be as cautious as possible.

[willdoitinaminute]

You may have but assume you haven’t. You will be in lock down by next week so will still have to practice social isolation. If you develop symptoms again you will have to do the 14 days at home again and will not be able to go out at all during those 14days as you are doing at present.
There will be a blood test soon to test for immunity but don’t expect to be able to access it quickly because they will be testing essential workers initially.

[daisypond]

No. No one knows about immunity yet.