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Original poster

Woken up with a sore throat but not one of the main symptoms

128 replies

Mogtheforgetfulmum · 09/10/2020 06:19

I'm a secondary teacher. We have had several positive cases, I only posted a couple of days ago that we weren't being told when students in our classes had tested positive. I've woken up this morning with a very noticeable sore throat which hurts when I swallow. You can also hear my chest sounds bad when I take a deep breath. I'm surprised to see that on the nhs app a sore throat isn't one of the 3 main symptoms, but the WHO states that 'The virus can cause a range of symptoms, from ranging from mild illness to pneumonia. Symptoms of the disease are fever, cough, sore throat and headaches'.

Basically my question is should I be ringing school, setting cover and isolating?? We are already so understaffed I don't want to look like a time waster. I'm also totally perplexed as to how I even managed to get a 'sore throat' in the first place. I've been wearing a mask in the corridors and sanitising my hands constantly.

OP posts:
thaegumathteth · 09/10/2020 06:21

Ds had a sore throat and I didn't get him tested. I'm not sure what you mean by your chest sounds bad though?

StealthPolarBear · 09/10/2020 06:26

I think you should be OK to go in, assuming you feel well

StealthPolarBear · 09/10/2020 06:26

Well enough I mean. And get well soon.

PracticingPerson · 09/10/2020 06:28

I think you should phone and in sick today. Teachers always go above and beyond with illness, but you need to be more careful this year.

If you are concerned about breathing at all, speak to a doctor asap.

PracticingPerson · 09/10/2020 06:29

Grr, got a stray 'and' there - I mean you should phone in sick and have a day off. Don't go back until you are well.

Original poster
Mogtheforgetfulmum · 09/10/2020 06:31

@thaegumathteth it sounds chesty/tight when I breathe in. My DH can hear it too and he's quite oblivious to a lot. Something I've had lots before when I've been ill but comcerning right now.

@StealthPolarBear I feel ok but I'm very concerned about passing this on. One of my colleagues has a very sick, vulnerable child and I work with several colleagues who are vunerable and were shielding when it was ongoing.

OP posts:
faithfulbird · 09/10/2020 06:32

Ring in sick and do get a test. Corona has so many symptoms. Have heard many having sore throats or a cold and have tested positive. Even those with a headache have tested positive.

Can u imagine being positive and passing it on to a child who lives with his elderly grandparents suffering from diabetes etc.

nannynick · 09/10/2020 06:34

Yes, you should not go to work today because you are ill. That illness may or may not be Covid at this point in time. Take the usual remedies for a sore throat and keep an eye on chest pain, breathing rate and oxygen level. Yes it is a pain to have someone cover your classes at short notice but illness happens so there is a procedure for it.
Over the next few days keep an eye out for other symptoms, if the throat gets better and no other symptoms then you may be back teaching again on Monday.

Carrying on when we have an illness is what we all need to stop doing. I'm as guilty as anyone of working when ill in the past as I don't want to let people down.

RickOShay · 09/10/2020 06:37

Poor you. Phone 111. The dc all had a sore throat and snot bug, 111 advised no covid test, but they had a few days off school.

Original poster
Mogtheforgetfulmum · 09/10/2020 06:42

@PracticingPerson thanks. It's just so hard going against what I would normally do and have done for so many years! Not sure the school will be so impressed if I'm ringing and it's not one of the main 3 symptoms.

OP posts:
FippertyGibbett · 09/10/2020 06:44

You should take a throat lozenge and go to work. You do not have one of the three symptoms that need a test.

redpandaalert · 09/10/2020 06:44

Not one of the main symptoms, if you are well enough to work you need to be in. Your HT will tell you that and you know it.

CodenameVillanelle · 09/10/2020 06:45

You don't need to isolate but it would be sensible to book a test anyway. Keep going to work until you get the results.

Original poster
Mogtheforgetfulmum · 09/10/2020 06:46

@redpandaalert Hmm Biscuit have my first

OP posts:
FippertyGibbett · 09/10/2020 06:47

During the first wave I had tonsillitis and felt crap but could still work. GP ordered a test which was negative.

PracticingPerson · 09/10/2020 06:51

@redpandaalert

Not one of the main symptoms, if you are well enough to work you need to be in. Your HT will tell you that and you know it.
I think the way teachers have been hung out to dry by the government and a fair percentage of parents, this year they are entitled to prioritise their health.

I wouldn't push myself to go in if I felt unwell.

I'm not a teacher though and so I don't fully appreciate the pressure to keep going.

Lindy2 · 09/10/2020 06:58

You don't have one of the 3 main symptoms but you do have a symptom.

Most people get one of the 3 but not everyone does.

In view of your roll and in view of the fact there have been cases where you work, if you taught my children I would prefer you stayed home today and got tested.

If you get a drive through test today you'll hopefully get your result before Monday.

I'm on the Zoe research app and I've been asked to test with just a sore throat.

Chickalicken · 09/10/2020 07:00

The fact symptoms range from nothing to death I don't think you're unreasonable at all staying off. One of my friends husbands tested positive with a sore throat and runny nose so not all cases are fever etc. And before anyone whinges he was offered a test through his work which is how he knew.

StealthPolarBear · 09/10/2020 07:02

In that case it sounds like it would bee better for everyone if you stay off. But don't book a test!

Tomatoesneedtoripen · 09/10/2020 07:03

you need to ask your manager surely?

Tomatoesneedtoripen · 09/10/2020 07:05

otoh if you have difficulty breathing and are not sure your manager will take it seriously,
make the decision yourself

Tomatoesneedtoripen · 09/10/2020 07:06

we have to follow the strict criteria but of course if ill can take time off regardless

Nquartz · 09/10/2020 07:06

@Lindy2

You don't have one of the 3 main symptoms but you do have a symptom.

Most people get one of the 3 but not everyone does.

In view of your roll and in view of the fact there have been cases where you work, if you taught my children I would prefer you stayed home today and got tested.

If you get a drive through test today you'll hopefully get your result before Monday.

I'm on the Zoe research app and I've been asked to test with just a sore throat.

DH & I both has sore throats recently, Zoe app also told us to get tested. Unfortunately it was at the height of the test shortage so we didn't.
MiniMaxi · 09/10/2020 07:07

The three main symptoms are a pile of shit. ONS study found that 80% of positive cases don’t have them on day of positive test.

If you register with the ZOE app and input your symptoms you may well get invited for a test that way - or you can get them done privately in some places (costs about £150 though in London at least).

Hope you feel better soon!

MargotLovedTom1 · 09/10/2020 07:08

Can u imagine being positive and passing it on to a child who lives with his elderly grandparents suffering from diabetes etc.

That's the risk that child takes being in school unfortunately - they will be surrounded by hundreds of other students who may well be positive but asymptomatic, and those students are probably more likely to be up close and personal than an teacher.

CodenameVillanelle - someone waiting for the results of a test should be isolating, not carrying on as normal.

OP: you're probably getting a cold.

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