Please can someone reassure me

[Lottiebugz22]

I went to the hospital yesterday for an important appointment and since then I've been having panic attacks that I may have contracted the virus and brought it home to my family. I had to be in close proximity to my doctor and 3 nurses and walk down the coridoors to my appointment past more doctors and nurses. I washed my hands thoroughly and showered when I got home and washed all my clothes straight away. I'm so worried. Part of me wishes I hadn't gone but it was vital that I did as its an ongoing problem.

They’re probably as worried as you are.

I know that.

I am a previous NHS worker myself. I'm fully aware how worried they will be. I have the utmost respect for the NHS. I'm not saying otherwise.

If you washed, changed clothes, showered as soon as you got home, you're unlikely to have passed it on.

There's a theoretical chance you may have picked it up yourself so be extra vigilant about handwashing, and cut down your contact with your family if you can for the next 7-14 days, and cut contact completely (set up a bed in a different room) if you get symptoms.

Worst case, unless your family include people vulnerable because of their age or underlying illness, the death rate is not high, and by the time this is over, a great many people, probably more than half the population, will have had it.

So - you probably haven't been infected. If you have been affected, you have a great deal of control over whether your family will be infected. And in two weeks time the worry will be over.

Thank you rainbow1982

@Lottiebugz22 :
I'm currently shielding as I'm in the "extremely vulnerable" group.
The Goverment guidance document for us folk in that group advises that if we have any GP or other medical appointments in the 3 months that we are confined to home, if these cannot be undertaken remotely, eg. Over the phone etc, then we should discuss with the clinician concerned and take their advice.
I would suggest, though clearly I don't KNOW, that the fact your appointment wasn't cancelled, means it was important that you attended.
I have a face to face consultation next week, and while I would prefer to stay at home and keep as safe as possible, I will go to the appointment.
To put it bluntly, there's no point whatsoever avoiding Covid 19, only to let something else which was completely avoidable, kill you.
You have done everything you could to stay safe and I'm sure the NHS you came into contact with did the same.
Good luck.

• NHS staff

Best case scenario: you're all absolutely totally fine

Worst case: you get the virus but you'll be more alert and on the look out for symptoms because of what has happened

Breathe.

Please don’t worry, you’re more likely to pick it up in a supermarket!
They will have been using gel on their hands, presumably wearing masks and cleaning constantly.
Even IF you had you would have a 98% chance of being completely fine, the same as any nasty bug that sweeps through the house on a regular basis if you have young kids!

Thank you. I just had a really worrying moment there. Just feeling very anxious like the rest of the population no doubt are. Its a very tough time. Thank you for the supportive replies.

It is so scary though. My parents have isolated since it was first recommended but dad has to go to doctors surgery next week for his INR check. I hate the thought of him going.

I’ve been to work in a hospital five days a week since this all started.

Social distancing is impossible as you have to get close to patients and other members of staff to be able to do your job.

Neither myself or any of my immediate team have caught it so far.

Chances are you’ll be fine. Try not to stress too much. The doctors and nurses will have taken all necessary precautions to keep their patients as safe as possible.

Thank you all x