70 year old Dad has virus. Is there any hope?

[BlackCatFan]

I've just been told my 70 yr old dad has the virus or at least has the symptoms.. not been diagnosed officially. He was admitted to hospital last night with throat pain and breathlessness. But the hospital have told him he should be able to go home tomorrow! I'm confused- shouldn't they be keeping him in?

From what I've read symptoms get gradually worse.

I feel a bit numb at the moment. Is it likely he will die of this?

If he's got suspected C-19 and is in hospital he will be tested. Results take 24 hours hence why he was told he may be home tomorrow if a)he's clear and/or b) infected but not deteriorated further.

Hang in there OP

They won't send him home if he tests positive, will they?!

This is a pic of the table from the research the imperial college released on 16.03. Sorry if it's a bit blurry.

Stats will vary from.country to country, but If you look at the 70-79 age group, they estimate the fatality rate as 5%. Which flipped means there is 95% chance he will recover.

If they say they are releasing him tomorrow, that can only be a good sign

Of course there is a chance he will be ok
in fact it is highly likely he will be but understand the concern.
Hope gets better soon.

Nadine Dorries' 82 year old mum was doing the hoovering after a couple of days I believe.

GP friend says they are going to kick out the virus patients asap who appear to be stable and expect GPs to do home visits because they are not seeing patients physically. Well GPs are still doing phone consultations so wondering how they will fit everything in. It is very difficult for all.

I'm so sorry to hear about your dad but not all elderly people die of the virus, plenty recover. Some young people die! It sounds as though your dad can be managed at home from tomorrow as long as he is careful.

Very best wishes to him and you.
for you.

On another positive note OP, it is still relatively early in the UK outbreak, things will be a lot more difficult in the weeks and months ahead as primary care staff get tired, and resources stretched. If I was going to choose to have Corona I would choose to have it now, not in six weeks time. He will be getting the best of care.

[Which is all the more reason for people to start behaving sensibly now, listening to advice , staying at home and keeping all necessary contact with others to a minimum]

Yes, there is lots of hope! As the previous poster pointed out, statistically he is most likely to get better. This virus is not a death sentence. People need to stop thinking this.

I think you are worrying too much - the stats indicate that most people over 70 recover well. The percentages for death are difficult to assess because they are for deaths within known CV victims - but of course the number of people who actually have it is massively larger, so the percentage goes down. For every one proven case there could be dozens who have it/have had it, but have not been tested.

Please do not worry - they would not have sent him home if they were concerned about him.

I am sorry he has caught it.

I echo other PPs, OP. If your dad is healthy generally, there's a good chance he'll come through this easily. They're leaving most people at home. They didn't take me into hospital last weekend despite my breathing difficulties, they didn't even test me. They said they weren't testing anymore; obviously there's been a change of policy since then.

I hope your dad makes a good recovery.

My DB who lives in the part of Germany that is the hotspot for it there had temp, a continuous dry cough, shortness of breath. He was in bed for days. He still has a cough and is tired 3 weeks on. He’s 66 and was given an inhaler by his doctor and has been at home. He’s on the mend though still tired and his cough gets worse towards the end of the day. His partner who had it first was also off work with the same symptoms but got over it a bit faster. I really hope your dad can manage his symptoms at home. I think a lot can. You are bound to worry though.

Maybe stay calm until you know if he actually has it?

If he has no underlying conditions (in which case I doubt they'd send him home) he is very likely to be fine.

Does he have any other conditions that would make him much more vulnerable? If not then please try not to worry. He will probably feel dreadful for a week or so but the vast majority of otherwise fit and healthy people do come out the other side of it, even among the over 70s.

If he is being sent home, chances are he will be fine. It's the double pneumonia that a few people who get it that is the killer. Your dad must not have that if they are sending him home. Sounds like he will be fine. Really hope so.

What everyone else said - so cautious optimism seems justified. Also bear in mind that blanket data for "over 70" would probably include everyone over 70, including some already frail 95 year olds, for example. 70 is at the younger end of the range so the probabilities are all in his favour.

Yes, the death rate 70-79 years is 8%.
He has a 92% chance of survival.
That’s high. If you get most cancers your survival rate isn’t 92%.
It’s the scale of the problem- so many people al getting sick at once - that is serious.

I stand corrected. 95% even better.

Very frightening for you Op, but as others have said , he is unlikely to die. Even the over 80s are more likely to live than die. So although you will naturally be very worried, try to focus on that.
Wishing him a quick recovery.

Chances are he'll recover, entirely, and be fine.

there is a difference between someone who is 70 & someone who is 79 op - yet they are in the same group age wise - they have checked him & feel he is not at risk - with luck he wont need to go back but will be ok as pp says the figures for 70+ also include those with health issues - & the stats don't show either of the previous points. You have a hug from me op but hopefully he will be over this soon they did the right thing in checking him

I work in an NHS hospital. So far, of the 2 confirmed cases I have looked after, both have been elderly patients with underlying health conditions and both have now improved (in relation to the virus) and look extremely likely to recover from it.

Patients have died in our hospital from it. But many more are pulling through. I understand why you are scared. It is a scary situation, but to answer your question a full recovery is highly possible.

Does he have a pulse oximeter? It can tell him how much oxygen is getting into his blood - so how well his lungs are working. It might make it less stressful if he has data to see how well he is doing fighting it off. Also suggest he uses humidity - its easier to breath in humid air. Sitting next to a hot running shower with the bathroom door shut will work or a towel over your head over a bowl of steaming water.

Does he live with anyone who can look after him and bring him lots of drinks, they will also need to be v careful to not catch it themselves

Hope he is doing better soon

Nadine Dorries' 82 year old mum was doing the hoovering after a couple of days I believe.

Hardcore.