Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

How likely am I to have caught covid?

41 replies

MarmiteCrumpet25 · 06/11/2020 18:51

I was in a meeting on Monday with someone who tested positive on Wednesday. We were about 2m apart for an hour and a half, but without masks and she coughed a few times. The window was open a bit. I’m self isolating after a chat with work, but how likely am I to have actually caught it? Thank you.

OP posts:
musicalfrog · 06/11/2020 22:01

You don't have to wear masks if you're 2m apart.

MarmiteCrumpet25 · 06/11/2020 22:13

I was only asked 2 questions:

  • were we closer than 2m for more than 15 minutes?
  • were we closer than 1m for more than 1 minute?
I’m not sure on the former as it was about 2m but for an hour and a half with her coughing occasionally (but not a continuous cough at the time).
OP posts:
AtrociousCircumstance · 06/11/2020 22:16

wobblywindows you can make up for it by explaining about the bitter lemon/G&T Grin If it helps others, why not explain? I’d be interested to know Smile

OP try not to worry. There’s a chance you haven’t caught it, just wait and see and take lots of vits as wobbly suggests. Even if you have it it will probably be a bad cold for a few days.

MarmiteCrumpet25 · 06/11/2020 22:19

I am taking vitamin D already but will get some vitamin C too in case that helps. I would be interested to know about the butter lemon too please. I know tonic water contains quinine but thought that had been shown not to help? Thanks.

OP posts:
knackersknockersknickers · 06/11/2020 22:19

Nobody can say.

I had it, symptoms very mild and I was convinced it wasn't COVID-19. I had a test as I work for NHS and I was positive. My husband and kids didn't get any symptoms despite a "romantic" weekend away a day before I developed symptoms. Some people spread it, some don't.

BecomeStronger · 06/11/2020 22:20

In some cases people seem to have licked it up despite swearing they've had no close contact with anyone and in others, despite very close contact, they didn't get it.

A friend of mine worked on the Covid ward early in the pandemic. As you might expect an antibody test confirms she had it but her boyfriend, who she lived with throughout, hasn't.

BecomeStronger · 06/11/2020 22:21

*picked not licked Grin

orangenasturtium · 06/11/2020 22:25

Even within households, living 24/7 with an infectious person, the secondary attack rate is only 40%. You are more likely not to catch the virus than catch it.

fuckrightoff · 06/11/2020 23:20

OP I have been within 1m twice with 2 separate people about a month apart, didn't catch it either time (had cold symptoms one of the times but negative test) so not guaranteed to catch it

gluteustothemaximus · 06/11/2020 23:27

You'd still have to isolate for 14 days even if the test is negative due to the incubation period so the test isn't that useful

This x a bloody billion.

You have no idea how many times I have had to explain to a parent who has covid, and then they arrange a test for their child so they can get back to school if negative.

These are intelligent people. In good jobs. But they don't understand about incubation periods. Or only getting a test when you have symptoms.

OP, you have a chance of getting it, so you are doing the right thing by isolating. Thank you.

musicalfrog · 06/11/2020 23:48

They probably do understand the theory @gluteustothemaximus but are taken over with a million other things at that moment, like worrying about losing income, child losing class time etc. The rules are confusing which ever easy you look at it, and it's relatively easy to lose track of the exact detail.

musicalfrog · 06/11/2020 23:49

Whichever way you look at it.

hopsalong · 07/11/2020 09:37

Sorry that this happened. I can see why you're anxious.

But there are so many variables here. First, even if you do have it, will you know?

Recently large numbers of my students have tested positive. (We have an in-house university testing service, so they don't have to have symptoms.) I've found it quite remarkable how many have no symptoms at all, and how many of those who do have symptoms test negative (and have bad colds/ freshers flu). You might think this this is just because they're young. But two colleagues in their 40s/50s have also had asymptomatic positive tests.

Second there's the question of immunity. It's not impossible that you've already had it. Or even, though very unlikely, that you gave it to your colleague! I realize that there's doubt about the length and universality of immunity. But have to say it's been working in my case. I had it in March (confirmed by antibody test) and haven't managed to get it again despite being several times in similar situations to you, or even closer/ for longer. Or maybe I have had it again but just don't have symptoms? I haven't tested again.

Third, the possibility of false negative test results if taken on the wrong day, not swabbed deeply enough etc.

So not only is it unclear how likely someone in your situation is to catch it, there's also a fair degree of uncertainty about whether anyone will be able to know you have if you have (and haven't if you haven't). All of this is in favour of it not being a terrible catastrophic disease for most people, of course, so although the uncertainty isn't exactly comforting in itself, I think it should reassure you that even if you do get it, you have a good chance of not being very ill at all.

MarmiteCrumpet25 · 07/11/2020 11:10

Thank you hopsalong - hopefully that will be the case!

OP posts:
IndieTara · 12/11/2020 10:42

My DD was unwell over the weekend so
I booked a test for her, I also decided to get myself tested at the same time as I would be taking her anyway. Her test came back negative and mine was positive!

Literallynoidea · 16/11/2020 10:07

Did you catch it OP?

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread