AIBU to take time off because I feel like shit?

[WytTiEisiau]

I’ve called in sick this morning as I feel like utter shit! I don’t have any Covid symptoms but I do have a headache, dizzyness, cold symptoms and a sore throat... I got very little sleep last night.

I called in ill on the ground on Covid and I’ve said I’ll get tested... so likely to be off for a week now.

I work in an SEN school that has veen open fulltime throughout the whole Covid...there was no lockdown for us. But we’re also in a high case area of the UK with lockdown procedures in place.

Staff are of left right and centre, the working environment is crippling me as the few staff who are left are picking up the slack... I’ve not had a lunch break since starting back in Sept.

The main reason I think I’m off is due to being run down and worn out... which has leading to burn out hence the shitty cold and headache and constant feeling of being knackered!

I’ll take a test when one is available (have tried twice this morning with no luck) but I know it’s not Covid

Ffs don't clog up the testing system. If you've said it might be Covid, tell your employer you can't get a test and isolate for 14 days - that will give you time to have a rest and recouperate properly

Yanbu for taking time off sick if you are genuinely sick whether that's a bad cold, exhaustion, headaches.

Yabvu to claim Covid symptoms and take a test in the current climate, when you don't actually have the main Covid symptoms.

There aren't enough tests at the moment, we've all been asked to only get a test with the main symptoms. You'll also be causing everyone else to worry now that there'll be an outbreak.

@WytTiEisiau

So stay off work, don’t get a test, then get a cough (which is inevitable), then get a test?

Yes. You may end up with a cough, you may not. I may get a high temp next week, does that mean I should order a test on something that may not happen or has not happened yet? No. You only order a test once you develop one of the main 3 symptoms. You also isolate from the day you may develop symptoms.

Right now, my advice is to rest up, and next time you speak to your employer, tell them you are not eligible for testing.

A headache can be the start of covid , it's not necessarily a cough.( going by my daughters symptoms) but the fact you have a sore throat it probably isn't. Just be honest with your employer , as everyone you work with will be worried now .

There is thread on here about those who have had COVID mildly, some didn't have any of the main symptoms and thought they had a cold. I think if you work in a school you probably should have a test to be sure for everyone else's sake.

Do you have the Zoe app op? You can download it if not, if you report your health on there it will tell you whether or not you should book a test - I suspect with your symptoms you may well be told to book a test. ( current govmt guidelines notwithstanding) Hope you feel better soon

@Krook

There is thread on here about those who have had COVID mildly, some didn't have any of the main symptoms and thought they had a cold. I think if you work in a school you probably should have a test to be sure for everyone else's sake.

This is not how the testing eligibility works though. OP wouldn't be able to get a test. We can't get tests based on other potential symptoms and none of the main.

@WytTiEisiau

See, I’m getting conflicting advice on here too!

You are getting conflicting advice because you are trying to get advice from fandoms off the internet.

The government guidance is clear. Read it instead of social media posts. Call 119 or answer the question on the test site truthfully. You don’t qualify for a test.

Maybe no one should be tested then? Even with symptoms? Maybe everyone should just isolate for the given time? What’s the point in testing if people are getting positive results from little or no symptoms anyway?

@Chaotic45

The OP isn't fit to work. It might be the start of Covid, it might not.

@WytTiEisiau

You are doing the right thing. When you can't work, don't. Look after yourself, protect your health because no-one else will. A few days off when you need them will allow you to work again later. Pushing on regardless could lead to a breakdown in mental or physical health that can't be repaired.

YANBU to call in sick if you are feeling ill and unable to work.

YABU to exploit the current situation and claim COVID symptoms when you know full well you don’t have the three symptoms, just to get two weeks off.

As others have said, your behaviour had knock on effects and you will worry people at work.

I don’t believe that you don’t know the three main symptoms, it couldn’t be clearer. This information is plastered everywhere and even if you’d somehow missed it so far, a quick google before you called in would have given you the answer in seconds.

I woke up on Tuesday with a horribly dry cough that was relentless. I threw up from the coughing a couple of times. I phoned work (hospitality) and could barely speak.

Anyway, their advice was to get tested and stay away.

I managed to book a test for midday that day, half an hour away. I had the results early yesterday morning, so within 18 hours. Negative, thank god. The cough has turned into a full blown cold so I’m still off but no one doubts I did the right thing.

Get a test. The system isn’t as snarled up as the media would have you believe, at least not everywhere.

If you have one or more of the three symptoms then get a test. If you don't, then don't.
Tell work what is wrong with you and stay at gone and rest.
Hopefully it will pass in a day or two
If it's just a seasonal thing then it should do

Maybe no one should be tested then? Even with symptoms? Maybe everyone should just isolate for the given time?

We are in that situation by default and about to move into it formally in the next few days.

“ First in line for a test will be those either working in acute clinical care, or those due to receive it

Second will be care home workers and residents

Third on the list are NHS staff, including GPs and pharmacists

Fourth is targeted testing for outbreak management and surveillance studies

Fifth on the list are teaching staff with symptoms

Last in line is the general public when they have symptoms and those in "in areas of high incidents" will be prioritised”

I'm knackered too and feel like shit, I've not had time off since last fucking December but payroll and furlough have taken over my life so I've dragged my arse in work and I'm cracking on with it. Roll on Christmas so I can have 4 days off 🥳

What’s the point in testing if people are getting positive results from little or no symptoms anyway?

Are you having a laugh? It's known you can be asymptomatic with Covid. It's also known you can have it without the 'classic presentation'.
But to test people efficiently you have to choose those most likely to test positive. Otherwise you are testing literally everyone all the time.

Young women get breast cancer but screening mammograms are for older women as it wouldn't be effective to screen all younger women that way just in case.

People with more knowledge than you have decided on the eligibility criteria for testing. Currently you don't meet it so don't apply for a test. When/if you do meet it you can.

It's not perfect, people who very likely don't have Covid will end up being tested, and some of those with it won't be eligible but it's not up to you to manage that. It's up to those that wrote the guidance.

Take the time off because you're unwell, tell your employer you're not eligible for a test so will stay off sick until you feel better or develop a symptom that requires testing unless they have any other guidance for you.

You are absolutely within your rights to be off work ill, you sound utterly burnt out and are clearly sickening for something.

However, based on your current symptoms you don’t justify a test. I’m pretty sure that the NHS website will give you the same answer and all you need to do is relay that to your employer. As it stands you are legitimately off sick and will return when you’re well unless you develop a cough, fever or loss of smell/taste in which case you contact them and tell them you’re getting a test.

Agreeing to get a test now is counter productive since if you get a negative you will feel obliged to go back even if you don’t feel well. Other bugs and viruses still exist as well as exhaustion. Don’t overthink it.

firstly, well done you for working in what is probably a stressful environment without a break for the past month. that isnt on though and definitley isnt sustainable as you've probably realised now you've burnt out. secondly, in your position I would of certainly taken some time off, it sounds like you're really not very well. I am not sure if I would of said it was COVID related to my employer but do understand to a degree why you did - the symptoms are being updated and changed all the time, and there is a cross over in symptoms between the respiratory illnesses too. my baby was very unwell last week, temp over 38, had a cough, wouldnt feed the works and ended up in a and e - covid wasnt even mentioned as a possibility nor was I advised to get her a test so yes it is all very confusing.

hope you feel better soon, and of course if you to develop a cough or a high temp, get a test.

My teen's first symptom was a headache. The fever came later. They tested positive to cv19.

I would get try and get a test now. It takes a while anyway to get one anyway.

So... my covid positive symptoms were headaches and cold symptoms.
Never had a cough!!! Everyone experience different symptoms.
I think if you are feeling like that and you work in a school I definitely dont think that you are wasting a test. You cant afford to be passing it on!

My sister tested positive. On 2 different tests. It looked more like she had a cold rather than Covid, only got tested cause she works on a Covid ward 🤷🏼‍♀️

If you’re sick you’re sick. It doesn’t have to be Covid related. I’m so scunnered with the idea that unless it’s Covid it doesn’t matter. Stress, flu, pneumonia, being run down, migraines, all still valid reasons to be sick and take time off sick. We still don’t want to catch any other bugs so yes, you should be able to call in sick.

Why on earth would you call in sick saying it’s Covid when it’s not COVID?! I’m quite burnt out at the mo with a 6 month old & juggling work but when it got a bit much the other week, I just rang & said I was ill. Other illnesses still exist. Why are people & work places not getting this?! 🤦🏼‍♀️