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Original poster

Feel silly for having a second test ...

28 replies

chobmon · 25/09/2020 13:23

I am a secondary school teacher. I had a high temperature and felt poorly in May, so booked a test and received a negative result nearly a week later. It was horrible both doing the test and waiting for the results. I didn't miss any work as i wasn't on the rota that week.

I've now been back at work three weeks and plenty of kids are off with symptoms. I have a temperature of 38.2 and an occasional cough.
Mostly I have a really horrible headache which I've had for a few days. I was really reluctant to book a test and go through it again, but I thought that I should do the right thing.

I've just rung school to let them know that I have a test booked for later. The office manager said something about this being the second time I've had symptoms, and I felt a bit silly. Hopefully if the results are back within 48 hours I won't miss any work, and I certainly don't want to. I don't work today anyway. I'll be honest, I feel a bit silly, and will look silly when it's negative. Did I do the right thing?

OP posts:
BikeRunSki · 25/09/2020 13:28

Of course you did the right thing! You have covid sympyoms!

Seeline · 25/09/2020 13:28

Of course - if you have a high temp, you get a test. Scotland define this as anything above 37.8 (as did England in the early days) so yours definitely warrants a test.

lorisparkle · 25/09/2020 13:28

I really do not think you are being silly. It sounds like your office manager is the silly one. There are other viruses that cause similar symptoms and without a test there is no way of knowing which virus you have.

Much better to be safe than sorry.

Babyboomtastic · 25/09/2020 13:29

Thai is what it's going to be like this winter, and school is going to start getting used to it very quickly.

We've had two bouts of symptoms and two periods of self isolation as a family, and have narrowly missed a third, which would have meant two isolations in 3 weeks.

I wouldn't think your results would come back in 48hrs though - usually it's at least 4 days now I'm afraid.

Congratulations on actually being able to book a test and hope you feel better soon.

DorsetBlueMovie · 25/09/2020 13:29

You did the right thing (office manager sounds like a twonk).
Unfortunately this is the problem with an illness that can be so variable in presentation, especially in likeness to cold/flu symptoms. If we had rapid testing I suspect adherence to testing and isolating would be much better (for example, if you could book a same day test and get the results in 24 hours). As it is, we're all fighting for tests that take days to get hold of, then the results may or may not arrive for days after that. Very frustrating, and bloody predictable.

Hope you get your results soon.

DishRanAwayWithTheSpoon · 25/09/2020 13:39

They are being ridiculous, and a little bit thick tbh. Of course you can have symptoms twice? If the first time was negative you have every bit as much of a chance of having vovid as everyone else. If you have a temperature you need to test, it might not be negative with a temp, headache and cough.

ChaChaCha2012 · 25/09/2020 13:44

I thought you were going to say something like you've had a test this week and you don't believe the result so testing again!

On what you've said, you're doing the right thing by testing and isolating until the result is back.

Original poster
chobmon · 25/09/2020 13:45

I think they're implying that I might be a bit of a hypochondriac, and now I'm worrying that they might be right, but I obviously don't want all the family off work and school for no real reason!

OP posts:
BernardsarenotalwaysSaints · 25/09/2020 14:37

@chobmon

I think they're implying that I might be a bit of a hypochondriac, and now I'm worrying that they might be right, but I obviously don't want all the family off work and school for no real reason!
They can imply that all they like but if you have one or more of the 3 symptoms you need to get tested, whether they like it or not.

This is going to be an issue for everyone in the school (& wider) community all winter long.

DoYouRememberTheInnMiranda · 25/09/2020 14:39

If it was just for coughing they'd still be wrong, but when you have an objectively high temperature like you do, it's totally clear cut, of course you need to test. You are definitely doing the right thing.

Sexnotgender · 25/09/2020 14:42

Are they hard of thinking?

You’re absolutely doing the right thing.

AliciaWhiskers · 25/09/2020 14:44

Thank you for doing the right thing. You are looking after yourself and putting the welfare of your students way ahead of how the management of the school are treating them. I hope you feel better soon.

AlexaShutUp · 25/09/2020 14:45

No, of course you aren't being silly. You definitely need a test with the symptoms that you describe. Your office manager is a little bit stupid.

I hope you feel better soon.Flowers

Original poster
chobmon · 25/09/2020 19:43

Thank you everyone.

I went for my test, and have now come home and got back into bed because that's all I'm good for at the minute.

I've got the absolute fear though that it will come out inconclusive - it occurred to me on the way there that this would be the worst result as then I'll probably be too late for a second test and so off for the full ten days. School would be unhappy and it would be rubbish for the dcs.

I did it really carefully, but now I think I didn't do the swab for long enough. I was gagging and coughing and my eyes were streaming and already felt so poorly. Ahhh my head hurts so much - I could do without this worry too.

OP posts:
BernardsarenotalwaysSaints · 25/09/2020 19:47

I had to fight my 7yo just to get a nasal swab (throat was no go as she's petrified of gagging & vomiting). It was the quickest count to 10 you've ever heard. Ditto throat & nose for my 5 & (just) 3yo's. All came back with negative results, so try not to worry it'll be inconclusive, I think that's quite rare. Get some rest & remember to keep drinking fluids, especially if you don't feel like food.

AliciaWhiskers · 25/09/2020 20:13

You poor thing. Well done for getting tested and I hope you feel much better after a good sleep

Augustbreeze · 25/09/2020 21:02

It's even possible for someone to have had it in May and got it again now, so no need for any comments at all!

I presume you mean the Office Manager made the comment with a particular tone - she wasn't just saying "Gosh, poor old you!"?

RepeatSwan · 25/09/2020 21:05

You are doing exactly what the country and your pupild need you to do!

I really hope it's negative and just a crappy cold Flowers

Frappuccinofan · 25/09/2020 21:07

The office manager needs to STFU.

May was 4 months ago, it’s hardly like this is a frequency occurrence for you! Also it pays off to be extra cautious whilst this highly contagious, life changing pandemic is floating around

Roowig2020 · 25/09/2020 21:19

My dd has been tested twice. Both negative. Once in June and then recently. It is what it is.

Original poster
chobmon · 27/09/2020 09:52

Thank you for your messages everyone. My result came back positive this morning, so I feel justified in testing at least.

OP posts:
SurgeonsWife82 · 27/09/2020 09:55

@chobmon hope you are feeling okay.

Augustbreeze · 27/09/2020 12:37

Take care @chobmon. Let's hope that at least makes her rethink her attitude.

ShipshapeShore · 27/09/2020 12:58

I wonder if the office manager would have preferred fielding the many complaints if parents found out there was a teacher with symptoms going around untested?
I am a TA and I had a nasty cough last week that I suspected was the product of a sniffle but I just couldn't risk it and got tested. The head agreed better safe than sorry. I hope you feel better soon.

SierraHotel · 27/09/2020 13:01

You did the right thing, especially as you got a positive result!
This is going to be an issue for all workplaces, nothing can be done about it 🤷‍♀️

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