Do people with COVID-19 have to self-isolate within their own house?

[BlackWhitePurple]

I've a bit of a sore throat today. It's probably nothing (don't have a cough or temperature), but DH commented "What if it's Corona? You'll have to stay in one room for a whole week, and not come into contact with the rest of us" (him and the 2 kids).

Is this true? I thought they were no longer advising people with symptoms to self-isolate within their household? So the entire household have to isolate from the rest of the world, but within the house I thought you could mix freely? DH says no, as soon as you have symptoms you've to stay away from the rest of the household.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-advice/

Here you go. If you are living with a vulnerable or shielded person I would
Remind him though that if he does think you have CV (and with a sore throat it isnt just allergies) he needs to self isolate now for 14 days

Thanks @Quartz, but I'm still wondering about within the house. I know we can't go outside. What I mean is, do I have to stay in a room on my own and not come into contact with other people who live in the house? I know at one point early on they said that, but I thought they then changed it because it wasn't going to make any difference?

you are supposed to yes.

To try not to pass it on and to lower the viral load I think.

As I understand it if there is no one vulnerable in the household you can mix as normal, but you would have to stay home for 7 days, your husband and children for 14, or 7 days from when they show symptoms.

You're meant to isolate in a different room, use separate bathrooms where possible. He can bring your meals and leave outside the door.

Of course you can do what you like but it's to lessen the viral load of anyone you might be infecting so I'd do it

Yes if you have a vulnerable or shielded person then yes but if not I would mix as normal. I did when I had something DD and I had it mild/moderate still pretty awful but manageable) DS and DH very mild

It’s all in here OP

www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance

Ideally yes. It's not possible for a large number of households due to not having enough rooms. You need a second bathroom and spare bedroom at the very least.

Person with symptoms has to self isolate (in their own room) for 7 days.
Rest of household have to self isolate for 14 days.

Apply precautionary principle. Isolate if you can. That might mean your partner sleeping in the lounge.

What does 'lessen the viral load' mean? A couple of PP have said the same thing.

I am in the shielded group and this is what the letter they sent says about family members. I would assume it's the same advice for someone in the household with symptoms

lessen the viral load means come in to contact with less of the virus. They think a higher viral load is why so many hcp's are dying.

In theory yes but really it's not possible for a lot of people especially single parents or those of us who live in tiny properties.

We only have one bathroom, and DH would have to sleep on the sofa, but we could manage it. I just wasn't sure whether it was advised or not. It seems a bit pointless, given how quickly the virus seems to spread, but we'll do it if we have to.

Anyway, my throat is fine today, so I don't think we need to worry just yet.

That's interesting kimlo, thank you.

"What does 'lessen the viral load' mean? A couple of PP have said the same thing."
Simple put it's the amount of virus a person has. It is likely that the higher viral load (that is the amount of virus that person produces - and sheds) a person has a high viral load is more infectious.

There's no proof yet that a higher exposure to Covid-19 means more severe symptoms with Covid-19 as of yet. This is actually called infectious dose (and isn't viral load). The infectious dose for Covid-19 is thought to be low - in other words you don't need to be exposed to a lot to become infected.

It's just a social media rumour that "viral load" means exposure to and that with Covid-19 a higher viral load leads to infection

You can replace that "a high viral load is" with "that they are". I badly rewrote my sentence!!

It is likely that the higher viral load (that is the amount of virus that person produces - and sheds) a person has a high viral load is they are more infectious.

You don’t have to with a sore throat I don’t think

I am dreading one of us getting symptoms. We don’t have a spare bedroom and only one bathroom. I’ve decided that if we get it here the ill person can have the bed, the other can have a blow up bed in the living room, we will leave food on disposable plates with disposable cutlery at the bedroom door, to be double binned bag before being disposed of, and the bathroom to be dettoled and cleaned after each use. A total pain hence I am quite keen to avoid getting it!

I think that in theory you are supposed to isolate within your house, but it would be virtually impossible for many.

We have five adults living here. In a four bedroom house. One bathroom upstairs plus one additional toilet downstairs. However careful we tried to be we would bump into each other several times a day.