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Original poster

To be panicking after contact on Saturday with someone who has it.

77 replies

shakeituntilyoumakeit · 20/03/2020 22:45

Saw friend on sat, was self isolating as kid was ill but she insisted on coming in on the basis that we are all going to get it anyway. We didnt hug or anything but I’m sure we would have been nearer than a metre.she started being ill Tuesday, got worse weds, worse fri and was admitted to hospital today. I’m at risk with underlying health issues and I’m lying in bed frozen with panic that I’m going to get it.

OP posts:
PotholeParadise · 21/03/2020 03:21

You're probably going to be fine.

She came in, she wasn't coughing on you, and she didn't touch you. That was a week ago. More people develop symptoms within the first week after exposure than the second week, and average incubation time is 5.2-6.6 days. You've passed that.

If you do develop it, it seems to be like other viruses: severity of infection seems to be linked with magnitude of exposure. You had minimal exposure.

PotholeParadise · 21/03/2020 03:25

Incubation time can be as low as 2 days, so it's possible she hadn't even been exposed when she saw you.

Poetryinaction · 21/03/2020 03:25

Are you crying for you, or for your friend who is in hospital?

Original poster
shakeituntilyoumakeit · 21/03/2020 03:30

For me now. I cried for her earlier and it hit me like a truck about ten hours lates that I’d been a dickhead. Thank you for all of the replies, the lovely ones, the pull yourself together ones and the tough love ones too.

OP posts:
PotholeParadise · 21/03/2020 03:30

Have a Hmm Poetryinaction.

I think anyone with underlying health issues would be entitled to have emotions about themselves after finding out they could have been exposed to coronavirus.

Dubdubdubtub · 21/03/2020 03:36

I wonder how many others your friend has put at risk

Notimeforaname · 21/03/2020 03:40

I hope you've calmed down a bit opFlowers
It is a scary time.
Hopefully you can get some sleep

PotholeParadise · 21/03/2020 03:44

I wonder how many others your friend has put at risk

To be fair, sounds like she thought she was only putting herself at risk, if I've read right.

OP was self-isolating because her child was ill with something. Her friend came in anyway because she thought if it was corona, she was going to get it anyway, so she might as well see OP.

Since then, OP's friend has come down with it, presumably picked up elsewhere.

Original poster
shakeituntilyoumakeit · 21/03/2020 03:54

That’s right pothole. Big mistake, HUGE.

OP posts:
PotholeParadise · 21/03/2020 04:04

Bloody ironic.

I suppose you're absolutely certain that your child just had another viral lurgy? It could be that you're asymptomatic.

Mind you, if that's the case, instead of feeling sick that you're going to develop it, you'll just feel sick with guilt, so I'm not sure it'll help you.

If your friend actually picked it up somewhere else, after seeing you, she's going to have the biggest "I told you so" message for you when she recovers from it.

CottonSock · 21/03/2020 04:10

Not sure if you mean her kid ill, or your kid.
Nothing you can do, but self blame won't help or change anything. Each hour that passes of no symptoms the less chance.

AnnieS2511 · 21/03/2020 04:10

Hi OP! Please don't beat yourself up about it now, that's going to do no one any good.. Take this as an opportunity to learn from your mistake but without killing yourself with guilt.. crying on your own in the dark because you feel like a dickhead will only make you feel weaker and more susceptible to illness!! :)
I live in Italy and we have been told some 'preventative' guidelines.. not sure how much they actually work but it's definitely worth a try!
Drink lots of hot fluids. Apparently the virus lives in the throat for five days before entering the lungs, and by drinking hot drinks it is washed inti the stomach where the gastrointestinal juices help get rid of it. Also drink lots of fluids in general, particularly gurgling with water and lemon or vinegar up to three times a day to help disinfect the throat.
Also make sure to wipe down all metal surfaces in your house with antibacterial wipes as the virus can survive for longer on mental than any other surface. Hope this helps and stay strong!! ❤️

Original poster
shakeituntilyoumakeit · 21/03/2020 04:19

Thank you so much I have been doing this anyway. Thanks all.

OP posts:
Notimeforaname · 21/03/2020 04:22

Hope you remain safe an healthy op and hope your little one feels better soon!

Also wishing a speedy recovery for your friend.

Tinkerbell456 · 21/03/2020 04:24

Well, sounds like you have been exposed, though are you sure it’s Coronavirus that she has? Don’t panic too much however. The fact that you have been exposed doesn’t necessarily mean that you will develop the disease. Obviously, you need to be in strict isolation until further advice, as in you go nowhere and no one visits you. You should also be tested. Best to be guided by public health authorities.

Failedtothinkofanythingorigina · 21/03/2020 04:25

OP, just in case it helps allay your fears a bit. My friend tested positive. His wife, who has been sleeping in the same bed as him, tested negative.

Notimeforaname · 21/03/2020 04:29

www.nytimes.com/2020/03/18/health/coronavirus-cure-gargle-water.html

AnnieS2511
I believe you have been misinformed re hot fluids and gargling.

There is a lot of misinformation going around that we should be aware of.

PatricksRum · 21/03/2020 04:30

Has she actually tested positive OP?

AnnieS2511 · 21/03/2020 04:32

@notimeforaname i know there is a lot of fake news going around... that's why i said i'm not sure if it's true or not... to be fair this was shared on italian news, not facebook and it can't hurt to try... at the end of the day a nice cup of tea has never hurt anyone Wink

Notimeforaname · 21/03/2020 04:33

There is no evidence that gargling warm water with salt or vinegar “eliminates” the coronavirus, a claim that has gone viral as part of a meme — the one with the glowing blue man — in multiple languages. It suggests that the coronavirus lingers in the throat for days before it reaches the lungs, and that a good gargle can stop the virus in its tracks
That’s not true.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said that gargling salty, warm water is one of many ways to soothe a sore throat, but there is no evidence that doing this will kill the coronavirus

That's the gist of it anyway

Notimeforaname · 21/03/2020 04:35

AnnieS2511 sorry! I missed the bit where you said it may not be true. Its very late/early and my eyes are blurry Grin

And yes a nice cup of tea can feel like it can almost cure anything in the moment Wink

AnnieS2511 · 21/03/2020 04:37

@notimeforaname Oh I understand the blurry middle of the night eyes, believe me! Grin
Anyways thank you for sharing that article!
My DD is back to sleep now so will try to get some shut eye myself! Stay safe everyone

Notimeforaname · 21/03/2020 04:38

You too Annie sleep well!

KittyJune · 21/03/2020 06:10

So this happened 7 days ago? Most people show symptoms in the first 5 days. In 7 more days you will have the all clear, but you would PROBABLY be showing symptoms already if you had the virus. So you can calm down. You have had a VERY lucky escape and I hope you (and others) can learn from this and stop taking bloody stupid risks.

probablysue · 21/03/2020 06:17

You’ll probably be fine but let this be a lesson to you. Learn to say no. You put being friends and amenable above yours and your familys safety. That’s not ok. You shouldn’t have let her in. Practice what you’re going to say to somebody like her the next time she does this