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Original poster

If you had all recently tested positive Wd you risk seeing elderly (vulnerable) relatives over Christmas?

56 replies

Thethingswedoforlove · 15/12/2020 10:27

We have all tested positive in the last 2 weeks. The last of us will be out of isolation by a week on Christmas Day. My parents are really still desperate to see us (we had previously said no way because we had teens in secondary school without time to isolate). But we now have all had positive tests. Ans recently. So it feels like the safest time to see them. Would you see yours in these circs? Their mental health is really suffering as mum is at the beginning of dementia, dad is pretty deaf and they are huge extroverts who gain their energy from being with others.

After a week is it still likely to be on surfaces in the house? I know no one knows. It’s a calculated risk but dad was on the shielding list. It feels ok to me. But I wanted to see what others think?

OP posts:
WorriedNHSer · 15/12/2020 12:58

It’s not true that most people test positive for 3 months, it’s just a few. I tested negative after only 2 weeks (sent by Zoe app) and I found that really reassuring to know.

Original poster
Thethingswedoforlove · 15/12/2020 13:02

@WorriedNHSer thank you for that. It is so helpful. I genuinely didn’t know that (and I have been trying to read up aboht it).
They haven’t been invited for vaccination yet- this will come early in the new year o hope as they are 76.
Thanks @SpaceOp and @Ponoka7. I feel like the sense I had on the likelihood of being infectious still or being reinfected is low. I will tell them this and let them decide.
And clean clean clean!

OP posts:
Shopaholic100 · 15/12/2020 13:07

Watching with interest as I’m in a similar position to you. Although we don’t appear to have caught it from DD I’m scared to meet with people soon after isolation ends just in case I’m asymptotic and pass it on.

FuzzyPuffling · 15/12/2020 13:12

No. Absolutely not.

DivGirl · 15/12/2020 13:38

I would. You’re incredibly unlikely to be infectious.

We only get a set number of Christmases with the people we love and we never know when the last will be.

Original poster
Thethingswedoforlove · 15/12/2020 17:09

@Shopaholic100 we didn’t leave the house until 14 days after symptoms rather than 10 as we have paid sick leave and wfh anyway. So I totally get it. But it does seem as if it is going to be the safest time (pre vaccine to see them) and not just that it feels like we will actually be safe to see them.

@FuzzyPuffling why is that your view please?

@DivGirl. thanks. I am increasingly persuaded that this is the case. Hope I feel well enough to do a thorough clean soon!

OP posts:
IndoorLiving · 15/12/2020 17:21

Must be so difficult making the decision. It’s hard to believe the guidance is correct without seeing hard facts if you know what I mean

Cookerhood · 15/12/2020 17:29

It will be fine. Only 2% are still infectious at 10 days post positive test. You almost certainly won't catch it again short term. It's probably the safest time. There will almost certainly be no infectious virus particles on surfaces.

MorningTeas · 15/12/2020 17:33

No I wouldn't, why risk it.

cologne4711 · 15/12/2020 17:34

It's the other way round for us. My elderly mother had covid last month and we will be seeing her. She was (fortunately) asymptomatic* and the people she had had "close" contact with didn't get it and it was a while ago now.

she was tested before a hospital procedure - first test was inconclusive, and second was positive so I don't think* it was a false positive

cologne4711 · 15/12/2020 17:35

oh dear the bold went haywire there!

alreadytaken · 15/12/2020 17:51

I would as long as no-one continues to have symptoms - and I dont think most people should be doing as much as they have planned this year.

The virus can live on some surfaces for a week but no-one is sure that there is enough active virus left then to infect anyone. Pay special attention to stainless steel (so taps and possibly some door handles) and plastics but it doesnt last very long at all on fabrics and cardboard.

Personally I dont think 10 days post test would be enough but you are well past that by Christmas Day and they are keen to come.

And if you want to be extra careful -all start using mouthwash, if you dont already do so, as that reduces viral load so if you are shedding any now it will reduce.

Original poster
Thethingswedoforlove · 15/12/2020 17:55

@alreadytaken thank you for the mouthwash tip!

OP posts:
Original poster
Thethingswedoforlove · 15/12/2020 18:04

We have already agreed not to see my brother as I agree we Shd be seeing fewer people this year. They still have a dd in school until Friday so they present a much greater risk than we do.

OP posts:
megletthesecond · 15/12/2020 18:30

thething I think we don't yet know for certain how long the virus can linger. It would heartbreaking to put elderly relatives at risk. Can you wait until new year, assuming you can really freshen up your house, get well and lots of fresh air, but no shops or other meet ups first?

echt · 15/12/2020 18:51

OP, call your doctor and ask for advice.

blue25 · 15/12/2020 19:04

No way. Why risk it?

madroid · 15/12/2020 19:17

There's research showing small traces of virus (not likely to infect) on surfaces after 28 days.
Plus the virus lives in your nose and throat. You may be 10 days+ after first onset of symptoms, but is it our of your respiratory system?

I would err on the side of caution and say no as there will be the vaccine available to them within a few months. Then have them to stay asap and make a massive fuss of them Grin

ConfusedcomMum · 15/12/2020 19:20

I wouldn't but mine wouldn't want me to either.

MargosKaftan · 15/12/2020 19:25

I'd go, it would be about as safe as possible, you will not be infectious, you definitely won't have it asymptomatically, you can relax for a couple of months if you have all had it.

Hopefully by the time you're at risk of potentially catching it again, they'll have been vaccinated.

Newpuppymummy · 15/12/2020 19:28

I absolutely wouldn’t

MargosKaftan · 15/12/2020 20:03

For those saying they wouldn't, is it that you think you are still infectious after 14 days, and the isolation period needs to be longer? Or is it that you think the op's family could have recovered then caught it again within a couple of weeks?

There is a slight possibility of it being on surfaces, so a really deep clean would be good.

There is no way you could infect them. There is no way they could infect you. This is about as safe as it is possible to be. Enjoy your Christmas!

MrsWarleggan · 15/12/2020 20:12

I've just asked this

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/coronavirus/4107460-Antibodies-immunity-future-transmission

for exactly the same purpose. No responses as yet though!!

tenterden · 15/12/2020 20:17

No because if anything I happened I couldn't live with the guilt

GabriellaMontez · 15/12/2020 20:18

Yes Id see them.

If you'd all had the vaccine would you see them? Because it sounds like that would be more risky than seeing them now!