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Original poster

How did your symptoms start?

40 replies

DBML · 23/09/2020 17:18

Sorry, I know there’s been threads on this already, but it’s almost like there’s too much info and I wanted to see if anyone recognised my symptoms?

I am a teacher and I am working in a secondary school in an area that has just gone into lockdown. I am fairly new to my school, so reluctant to take time off.

Anyway, last night in bed I began to cough. A dry cough. However I was fine when I woke up this morning and haven’t coughed since - so not persistent.

I have though developed a very sore throat today, extremely painful like tonsillitis, but no pus.

I have also got a stiff and achy neck and my nerves are paining...for instance I get little shooting pains on the inside of my ankle; inside of my arm; down my side etc This isn’t constant....the pains happen at different locations at different points, with pain free time between.

My head has started to ache too, but by far the biggest problem is how fatigued I feel. I feel sooo very tired. Like I just want to lie down and not move at all. My eyelids are heavy.

I don’t have a runny nose or watery eyes, or anything I would usually get with a cold.

Possibly I’ve picked something seasonal up in school, but I can’t go off without a temp or cough. Well I suppose I could, but with all the staff off isolating, it’s probably the last thing the school needs.

Tell me it’s just a normal back to school cold.

OP posts:
Bickles · 23/09/2020 18:52

Please don’t go to school with these symptoms. Have a day off sick and see how it develops. Any more coughing or a temp and you can get tested.

Original poster
DBML · 23/09/2020 19:27

Thank you for responding. You’re right, perhaps I had better see how it progresses before I go in. The last thing I want to do is be responsible for others getting sick.

I don’t think it’s COVID because I don’t have a temperature and I still haven’t coughed since last night. But at the same time I worry about some of the children I teach, a few who have diseases like Type 1 diabetes and CF.

Oh dear. My school could really do without more staff off. Sad

OP posts:
Porcupineinwaiting · 23/09/2020 19:29

Do NOT go to school.

I started with nausea and diarrhoea but I know plenty who started w a sore throat and headache.

Even if, as is likely, this is just another bug, spreading that in this climate of worry is not a good thing to do.

chillied · 23/09/2020 19:33

I started with a sore throat then feverish aches and pains. The cough really got started a few days in, and was a lingering symptom when I'd recovered in other ways. Fatigue - Yes, tick. I think you should seek a covid test.

Original poster
DBML · 23/09/2020 19:34

I won’t. I’ll see how I get on tomorrow.

I am so weak and tired right now, it’s actually making me tearful. Whatever it is, it’s unpleasant.
Good news is, I could taste my food.

Thank you again for the advice. It sort of justifies the hard phone call I have to make in the morning.

OP posts:
Original poster
DBML · 23/09/2020 19:35

I will certainly get a COVID test if I can. Will they let me without symptoms of the cough and temperature? Perhaps because of my job they will?

OP posts:
chillied · 23/09/2020 19:35

Your school will be more annoyed if you bring them all covid!

Original poster
DBML · 23/09/2020 19:37

That’s very true chillied. It’s a lose lose situation really.

OP posts:
Yellredder · 23/09/2020 19:38

You should be able to get a test - friend tested positive despite no cough or temp.

RubyViolet · 23/09/2020 19:38

I have the same symptoms. At least a third of our staff are starting with this.

chillied · 23/09/2020 19:38

really, how sure are you that you Don't have a temperature? I would translate the achy stiffness and pains as akin to feverishness, and ask for a test on grounds of temperature

Original poster
DBML · 23/09/2020 19:39

Oh no Ruby, I really hope this is nothing nasty!

OP posts:
Original poster
DBML · 23/09/2020 19:41

That’s true chillied. I haven’t checked my temperature, I just don’t feel too hot.
I am in a vest top and shorts though, so who knows.

OP posts:
chillied · 23/09/2020 19:41

whether or not it is covid, you don't sound in any shape to go to work

whenwillthemadnessend · 23/09/2020 19:42

My dd 14 yo had symptoms in this order

Sore throat
High temp
Muscle ache and fatigue

Then 2 days later
Horse voice like Barry white
Cough not that bad
Headache. Constant and not touched by painkillers for about 3/4 more day's
She laid in bed for 6/7 days all in.

Weirdly her appetite was ok and she ate what I brought her.

Original poster
DBML · 23/09/2020 19:42

I’ve been to work feeling awful on many occasions. I hate the back to work interview and would usually rather go in and avoid it.

I guess that would be really stupid right now though.

OP posts:
Original poster
DBML · 23/09/2020 19:43

Whenwillthemadnessend I hope your daughter has recovered and is OK Flowers

OP posts:
Porcupineinwaiting · 23/09/2020 19:47

Will the back to work interview be better or worse than ringing in on Monday to say actually you are positive do you think?

COVID can be very nasty but often it isn't particularly. That's what makes it so difficult to tell.

Niknakpaddywhack · 23/09/2020 19:47

I tested positive in April- I had a sore throat and extreme fatigue for 4 days before the cough started, then high temperature and aching, tight chest and breathlessness.

Zofloramummy · 23/09/2020 19:47

I also work in a secondary, I’d advise a test definitely. Get in the website tonight and see if you can get booked in for tomorrow, they release more appointments at 8pm (had to isolate last week due to a poorly dd). Also email your HOD and Headteacher tonight to tell them you can’t come in and are isolating. The sooner they know the better, then hopefully when you ring tomorrow morning you may already have an appointment for a test. Hope you feel better soon.

whenwillthemadnessend · 23/09/2020 19:48

Thank you. This was in late feb so she is fully recovered thanks.

Her brother went on to have the covid tor's but otherwise all he had was a terrible migraine type headache.

Myself and DH had cough and headache And back pain but otherwise we were well.

This is why i despair at

the the Dof E advise to go on the 3 main symptoms for testing

That wasn't our experience at all.

Original poster
DBML · 23/09/2020 19:48

Yes that’s very true Porcupine. I will definitely take tomorrow off and attempt to get a test. I would be devastated if it was Covid and I passed it on to a pupil, especially a more vulnerable one.

OP posts:
Zofloramummy · 23/09/2020 19:49

Also despite a week off work with my dd, I did not have a back to work interview on return. My school had 8 staff off last week and are understanding of the situation. Don’t assume yours won’t be!

Cuddling57 · 23/09/2020 19:52

Even if it's not Covid you don't sound like you should be going in passing on whatever it is, esp this winter You sound like you need rest and self care.
Hope you feel better.

Original poster
DBML · 23/09/2020 19:52

Oh no Niknak, I really hope it doesn’t progress to that. Hope you are fully recovered now!

Zofloramumy, yes I think I’ll do exactly that and perhaps have an early night now. Be on the computer first thing.

Whenwillthemadnessend I’m so glad for you that you were all ok. It makes me wonder how many people could be walking around with it unknowingly.

OP posts: