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Original poster

My doctor phoned to say he's positive

50 replies

Egora · 30/05/2020 20:04

I had to visit my GP on Wednesday as I've found a lump in my breast.

He was wearing a mask, (so was I) and a visor over his face. Also gloves.

He examined my chest and also a sore area on my face.

Today I received a call to say he's tested positive for corona, but not to worry as I don't need a test unless I want one. Apparently the risk was v small due to PPE.

I asked if I need to self isolate and was told not unless I develop symptoms.

Not sure if that's the correct advice? Is the risk minimal?

I'm 47 and no known health issues

OP posts:
CodenameVillanelle · 30/05/2020 20:05

Were you less than 2 metres apart for more than 15 minutes with no PPE? If not, you don't need t self isolate

Original poster
Egora · 30/05/2020 20:11

Thank you, I was in there for only about ten minutes, we were close while I was examined but sat apart afterwards.

I'm relieved to hear that.

OP posts:
Savingshoes · 30/05/2020 20:27

Your GP sounds very decent, contacting his patients directly. Smile
I would do everything I could to reduce the risk of passing on the virus to anyone and assume you have it until proven otherwise.

Original poster
Egora · 30/05/2020 20:37

I don't know him tbh as the way it's set up you just see whoever is available and I've not seen him before.

He was very nice last week and today though. He said he didn't have symptoms and is feeling okay.

OP posts:
Original poster
Egora · 30/05/2020 20:38

I'll not be going out unless absolutely essential just in case.

OP posts:
Bluetrews25 · 30/05/2020 20:38

You were in a mask, he was in a mask. I very much doubt he removed it for when he got even closer to you.
If everyone who had been near someone who was positive whilst wearing PPE stayed in for 14 days then there would be no staff in any hospital.
Trust your GP. He did not have to tell you - he could have left it to the tracing team (and they might not have ever contacted you due to PPE.)

ABagOfPopcorn · 30/05/2020 20:42

Guess that shows PPE doesn't really protect you after all!

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 30/05/2020 20:52

I’d take a test. I go to the supermarket my LO returns to nursery in a wk, id rather know.

fallfallfall · 30/05/2020 20:53

i'd err on the side of caution and avoid unnecessary contact for some days and even take a test around the 7 day mark before continuing on as usual.

Samtsirch · 30/05/2020 20:55

I think your GP would have given you the correct advice, so no need to isolate unless you develop symptoms, which I think is unlikely.
Also I hope everything goes well regarding the breast lump.x

Frazzled2207 · 30/05/2020 20:55

In most cases the incubation period is 5 Days so tomorrow. I’d be inclined to try and get a test this week and isolate until you get a negative result.

Am wondering why he went to the trouble of calling you if he doesn’t think you should be worried though.

Darlingyouvegottoletmeknow · 30/05/2020 20:56

Guess that shows PPE doesn't really protect you after all!

The doctor may have caught it from outside work - from a family member, in Tesco's, on public transport.

LouLouLoo · 30/05/2020 20:57

Guess that shows PPE doesn't really protect you after all!

My brother is a GP, he doesn’t wear PPE outside of work!

PineconeOfDoom · 30/05/2020 20:58

Guess that shows PPE doesn't really protect you after all!

What?!

MadameMarie · 30/05/2020 21:00

PPE is more to stop you spreading it. It doesn't stop you catching it.

DonnaDarko · 30/05/2020 21:01

Guess that shows PPE doesn't really protect you after all!

🤦🏾‍♀️

bonsaidragon · 30/05/2020 21:04

@ABagOfPopcorn

Guess that shows PPE doesn't really protect you after all!
You don't know that he got it at work, he's probably been shopping and so on.
PlantPottingPlantPotting · 30/05/2020 21:18

@Savingshoes

Your GP sounds very decent, contacting his patients directly. Smile I would do everything I could to reduce the risk of passing on the virus to anyone and assume you have it until proven otherwise.
^^ this. Get yourself tested or self isolate
ToothFairyNemesis · 30/05/2020 21:19

PPE is more to stop you spreading it. It doesn't stop you catching it. yes it does! The clue is in the name.

Khione · 30/05/2020 21:23

I think you are at pretty low risk. I suspect if you had seen him on Thursday, after T&T started, you would be asked to self isolate for 14 days. As it stands, your risk is low; there is no requirement to self isolate; if you had by some remote chance picked it up then it is highly likely you will be showing symptoms by Sunday/Monday.

If you have even mild symptoms Sunday or Monday (or any day next week) I would get a test, otherwise forget about it - just make sure you continue to wash hands and be (even more) vigilant about distancing for a couple of weeks.

CrossdressingConfusion · 30/05/2020 21:44

No point in being tested for at least a week.

So isolate, then test, and isolate until results come back to stop you spreading it if possible?

scheffsm · 30/05/2020 21:49

Today I received a call to say he's tested positive for corona, but not to worry as I don't need a test unless I want one.

Get a test anyway. A relative of mine has just had to do this. She ordered a home testing kit online, it arrived the next day and it took a couple of days for the result to come back - negative thank goodness.
While waiting for test, isolate to protect others.

scheffsm · 30/05/2020 21:50

I think my relative had to wait a couple of days to do the test - they tell you when exactly to do it based on the information you submit.

Original poster
Egora · 30/05/2020 21:54

@Samtsirch thank you very much, I've got an appointment at the breast clinic within two weeks and I'm terrified

He said he was calling all his patients personally which is really decent of him I think.

Thanks for all the comments, I will be staying home and will get a test if I have any symptoms at all.

OP posts:
lljkk · 30/05/2020 22:06

Under new rules doesn't OP have to self isolate for 2 weeks regardless of any test result?

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