Feeling stigma in covid testing

[DulcetMoans]

Last night my 5yo was complaining he was cold and after a while I took his temp. 38.7. Tried again an hour later 39.1.obviouslt these are high so I've booked him in for a test this morning.

I wasn't expecting to feel like this though. I feel guilty and embarrassed at the prospect of him having caught covid. Like people will judge us for not being careful enough and not looking after him properly. Is this normal?! Is there a stigma attached to Coronavirus that I haven't been aware of before?

I am someone that suffers a bit of social anxiety around what others think so could just be me!

As a family we have been tested a lot for covid its never been covid

Just remember there are plenty of other illnesses out there that are not covid that cause high temperature

Personally, I would judge someone for not booking a test in that case rather than the other way around.

Booking a test just says you are taking things seriously.

My 3 yo has had 2 tests since august - both negative, both after having a temperature.

It's just as likely that he's got another random bug, and you wouldn't expect to be judged if he had caught another virus, so why would you be judged if he did have covid?

There's no stigma getting a Covid test. Even if it is positive.
I think there IS one for NOT testing when you have symptoms though.
You're doing the right thing getting the test.

I hope your son is better soon.

That sounded a bit snark what I meant to say is most people around the testing stations etc are unbothered because a, your getting a test which is responsible thing to do and b, it stands a good chance of not even being covid but if it is see point a

Hope its okay for you

My mother done this when i had covid, she didn't want anyone to know

There are plenty of other things it may be, you don't know it's covid. And even if it is there are millions of people who have had it, it's not anything to be ashamed of. I was being really careful too & still managed to catch it.

There's no point in worrying about things like that, if it is covid then focus on the recovery from it & that's all that matters.

Oh and everyone else I've spoken to was just concerned I was ok, nothing else.

It's a virus.... Would you feel guilty if your child caught a cold?

You're seriously overthinking this. Do you burn with shame when one of you gets a cold?

Thanks all. You're right, I wouldn't feel the same if it was any other illness. And he's been at school so that's the mostly likely place he would have got it, if at all. I don't know what it is really! Just don't want people to know in case!

I felt a bit of guilt when DD had it because of the people who had to isolate. But we knew where she got it (her teacher).

Just to update, on case anyone cares. Results came through at 6am and I am psotivie whilst the kids are negative. I don't fully trust that but there we go.

So now we isolate until Christmas day. And I've had to tell so many people and organise stuff. Did not help the shame!

My mum was like this when I tested positive last week - she was shocked when I said I’d told my friends, neighbours & cousin (WhatsApp chats). Baffled me, it’s not a dirty secret. It’s a virus. Same as chicken pox, noro, cold, flu, hand foot mouth .. you can follow the rules to the letter & still catch it. I did, I think my daughter either brought it home from nursery asymptomatically or there was a long incubation period from the removal men we used 7 day’s prior. 🤷🏼‍♀️