Panic attack or covid?

[soworried321]

Started today with a cough and sore throat. Feel a bit hot too.
Feels like my throat is closing up and I can't get enough air in, but I'm being irrational. I can breath of course as I'm breathing now.
I'm scared of covid.
Do I call 111? Wait til morning?

Due to my job I could get a rapid test in the morning so not sure what to do.
I'm shivering now.

If you have a new cough, you should of course be tested regardless of your temperature.
So contact your workplace as early as you can, tell them you’ve developed symptoms and you need a test and then see what arrangements they make for you.
But you can’t work, as you need to be tested first.
If you’re scared of COVID you’re bound to be anxious. And I really get this because I am really nervous about catching it myself. If you’re becoming anxious, that could make you hot or shaky. Can you take your temperature? If it’s raised, at least you’ll know.
Try to keep calm; maybe sip some cool water to help with that throat. May help the cough a little too. If you can try to sleep, that would be best. If you really can’t, then distract yourself with something lighthearted on the TV. It will soon be morning now.

I eventually fell asleep.
Think it was more the panic that made me feel like I couldn't breathe, it was odd, I kept coughing in my sleep and gagging and kept waking up gasping.
Still have a cough and sore throat so I'm getting tested shortly.

I’m glad you got some sleep. Things always seem worse in the small hours.
Hope you get your test easily enough. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you that you get a negative result.