AIBU to think I'm in trouble if I have/get coronavirus?

[caradelvigna]

I'm a single lone parent to an 18 month old. The last couple of hours I've felt headachey and feverish. Hoping it's just a common virus and not Covid. If it does end up being Covid, or I get it in the future and it's not a mild case... How will I cope with my son with me? When I've had viruses in the past my mum and dad have helped me out, but in this case they wouldn't be able to. Can anyone reassure me that I'll be able to manage?

Well, look, no-one can give you that guarantee so you need to have safety measures in place. Your mum and dad need to FaceTime to twice a day to assess the situation. You need to think about where he goes if you need hospital treatment. How old are your parents? Is there a (very good) friend / sibling who would have him in extremis? Have you got enough food in and can someone leave some at your door?

No I think you'd need extra help. No friends that can help locally?

I have friends who can help, but surely I can't ask them to look after my son if I have coronavirus and he likely has it too?

You need to have a plan in place. I'd call your parents.
Hopefully you won't need to put the plan into action but you definitely need one to be on the safe side.
You'll also feel better alleviating the anxiety around this.
Wishing you well.

You might have it mildly as some people do. In which case you will be able to look after him. But it's a good idea to think about your options for extra help just in case you are very ill. And maybe keep in touch with your GP so they can assess how you are on the phone?
I had it (probably/possibly) and I didn't feel great but i could do normal things around the house.

I actually live with my dad but we live in separate parts of the house as he is frontline NHS. He's had lung problems, so wouldn't ask him. I've told him I'm not feeling well and he is staying with a friend for now and self isolating from work.

My mum works with vulnerable kids so would need to take a week off work with my son if she had him. She's in her 60s though so I would worry.

Don't have any close friends in the area who would help to that extent. I'm really worrying.

Do you have any of the underlying conditions that are a greater risk factor OP?

Remember that a lot of people get a mild version. Though I agree it's best to prepare. Perhaps call 111 now and ask what is the protocol for a young child. Keep your phone fully charged by your bed. Ask your friends and family to check on you at set times each day. Make sure one or two of them have a key and keep the door chain off.
Lots of fluids by your bed, easy food to eat for yourself and your child that doesn't require cooking (bananas, grapes, sandwiches, cheese, yoghurts etc).
A basket of things by your bed that your child can't reach, such as throat lozenges, paracetamol, thermometer (try not to reduce fever temperature unless you have to as they say fever helps fight the infection). Lying facing down if you get breathless. Some people found steam helped - head over a bowl with towel.
Keep posting and medically trained people might be along with better advice.

Thanks Diana. That's really helpful. I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that it's a regular cold as they're still about. Thankfully I have no underlying health conditions.

When it comes down to it, you have family. I'm assuming they aren't horrible people who will leave an 18 month old to fend for themselves if you become too ill to look after him. That's your plan for the worst case scenario, so start there and work backwards.

It’s not ideal but it's what you have. The idea of arranging a regular twice daily facetime is a good one. Keep your phone charged and within reach.

Chin up, worrying will only get you so far. Have those conversations now with your family and you might feel relieved afterwards.

Do you think you have been in contact with anyone who may have it? Wondering if you need to warn your dad or anyone you've been in contact with? Has your son been with another family member?

I'm also a single parent. My aunt has said she would come and look after DD if I was too ill to.

It's far from ideal as she is mid 60s with some health conditions (as so many people do!) but I gratefully accepted the offer.

As single parents I do feel we have a responsibility to make plans.

I've been to the supermarket a couple of times. I've been as safe as possible but it's impossible to rule out the fact I could have caught it at the supermarket. I've not been in contact with anyone else. I've been really strict re isolation.

Remember that you are young and without underlying health issues. So you are in the group which normally gets a mild version.
Sleep will also help your immune system, so make sure you get plenty tonight and rest up tomorrow. Your little one lying in bed with an iPad will be good for both of you.
Take vitamin D if you have it. A multivitamin and mineral too.
Hoping you can switch off and sleep tonight.

I don't have an iPad or anything like that but I put cartoons on for him. I feel really rough. My temp is 38.8 so not mega high but not great either. This is going to be rough! Thanks everyone.

Bless you. Its really shitty looking after little ones when you are ill. Cartoons all the way and if you can make the room you are hunkering down in as safe as possible. Don't be afraid to call 111 if you feel poorly.

Has your dad been working with covid patients ?

He has seen numerous people with Covid. Sadly.

I'm wondering if he could have passed it to you .

Blessing for you OP! As a single parent I know what you are going through. I also have some symptoms and hopefully it will stay mild and end this way.

what about the child's father. could he / his family look after him if necessary.
please do not put off calling 111 for advice. if you do have cv, your condition can deteriorate rapidly, and that would be very unsafe for your son, if you were to become incapable.
does your father still have access to your flat, is he around.

If your dad is key worker in contact with pts he would usually self isolate home with you - or you would now be tested . Wouldn't have thought it was wise fir him to stay in new household

@caradelvigna please don’t worry too much. It may not be as bad as you think - take paracetamol to get your fever under control, it works well. I’ve got 2 young children including a breastfed baby. I had help for 2 days from DH while my fever was up (when I felt the worst) but that’s because I had it available - I could have done it myself with the aid of YouTube etc if I really had to - it would not have been ideal but you will get through it! If you feel really rotten just do what you need to do - TV or whatever that may be for your 18month old to keep them occupied while you lie down - give them really simple meals to minimise cooking. If you have it mildly then you will feel able to deal with them properly after a couple of days. Ps I got it at the supermarket - the only place I have been despite being v careful. Get well soon!

I would happily look after a friend's 18 month old if the friend was ill, even if the child was potentially infectious. In fact, DH and I are the official back-up people to look after children for one of our friends who is using the "Message in a bottle" system (www.scas.nhs.uk/news/campaigns/message-in-a-bottle/). I think it's worth at least asking your friends (if you can, pick the ones who are young and healthy so least at risk to ask).

It is of course clearly allowed in the lockdown rules as it falls under looking after a vulnerable person. (Before anyone says otherwise!)

How are you this morning OP? We are here for general chit chat and distraction if required.

If you live in a household with a frontline NHS member of staff wouldn’t you be entitled to testing? Might be worth looking into?

I hope you feel better soon.