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Covid

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Original poster

I’m in such a dilemma

19 replies

Adviceneededalways · 04/01/2021 10:51

I’ve name changed for this as I’m really not sure the best way to proceed.

I have 4 children and we live rurally in the SW. DH is on the Army and has just deployed. I also don’t drive.

I have 3 DC of secondary age and one of primary, am in support of primary school closures for the safety of the teachers, wider community and of course my own DC but I’ve had an email late last night to say our school will be returning tomorrow.

DD is not vulnerable but is very prone to bad chest and throat infection and we have already had a (generic) letter from the school at the end of last term saying her attendance had fallen before 98.00 I’m guessing due to her being off for two separate weeks with viral tonsillitis.

On top of this 3 out the 5 of us at home is displaying random symptoms, not classic CV but sore throats, sore heads, one of my middle DC has a pain in the middle of her back, I have something really weird going on with my head and eyes and will only ease if I take a warm bath and lie down, I also can’t keep warm.

I’m not really sure the best way to go forward,I can’t really afford a fine or an online test, I can’t drive to take us to a test site, though I still need to google where my nearest one is it would involve at least 2 modes of public transport. Is there away for a NHS to be brought to you?

I’m of courses leaning towards not sending DD in tomorrow but I already feel I’m under the critical low attendance eye and living in an area that is very pro Borris and with not a hugely high infection rate feel I’d be hugely judged and labelled neurotic for not sending DC in because we all have the “cold”

Is anyone else in a similar situation or could offer me some advice, I’m feeling so rubbish, missing my wonderful DH who’d know exactly the right thing to do and just feeling quite tearful about the whole thing while trying to keep it all together for our DC.

OP posts:

coffeecoffeeandmorecoffee · 04/01/2021 10:54

You can order a postal NHS test.

dementedpixie · 04/01/2021 10:55

You can get a home test kit sent to you. Its free

monkeypuzzeltree · 04/01/2021 10:57

Many symptoms are not classic, I had my lot tested and it was based more on aches and pains and tiredness than the classic symptoms. All positive. Trust your instincts. Can you order a postal test. Have a look on the site. They don't come up every time but if you go back during the day, it's likely they will.

I believe if you call 111 they can also organise for you. Try not to worry take care.

Lilmzsnowflake · 04/01/2021 10:58

Get a postal test sent for free. Tell school you are isolating due to symptoms pending a test result. That will get you at least this week off. Of course your whole family will have to isolate otherwise you may well get caught out. Other illnesses are still available, as you know. If your child is unwell then they’re off school. I really don’t think much attention is being paid to attendance levels at the moment.

Lougle · 04/01/2021 10:58

Get home tests and isolate until you have the results.

steppemum · 04/01/2021 10:59

I would keep dd home, as you are all ill.

Who knows if it is Covid, but headaches are a common symptom, and if you can't keep warm that sounds as if you are going down with a fever.

BUT if you think any of you do have covid symptoms, then you have a choice

self isolate whole family for 2 weeks (or is it 10 days now?)

Get everyone tested. I realise that this is not easy. Absolutely no idea about how you could get to test centre, but I am pretty sure you can order postal tests vis NHS website. That means waiting for them to arrive, posting back and waiting for results. You must all isolate until results come through.

Ignore the attendance letter from school. They can't do anything if you are self isolating. The next step for them is to send the EWO round, if you show them that she had viral tonsilitis and is now isolating, they will close the case. really, it is just a system to double check why kids are not at school, if there is a reason, then there is no problem.

Lucidas · 04/01/2021 11:05

living in an area that is very pro Borris and with not a hugely high infection rate feel I’d be hugely judged

I mean, that's decided it for me really. I'm not sure why your 'pro-Boris' community is the one doing the judging...

Schools will be closed by the end of the week - it's looking almost inevitable at this point. Please do what works for your family and don't try to please your judgmental neighbours.

chillied · 04/01/2021 11:09

Pain in your lungs actually feels like a circle of pain in the middle of your back. I would keep everyone at home for sure. Better to be judged for that than judged for being the one who spread covid. Get postal tests.

steppemum · 04/01/2021 11:12

@chillied

wow I didn't know that, thank you, that is helpful to know

chillied · 04/01/2021 11:13

PS the attendance stats thing makes me so angry.

We kept DS off a couple of times in the autumn with a cough. It wasn't Covid. But really - coughing freely in a school is now surely unacceptable these days. He wasn't feeling 100 per cent either. School even sending 'please err on the side of caution' letters.

Still get an attendance warning letter. 'Oh it's computer generated'

Really hard to ignore those letters I know OP, but please don't send your ill children to school today.

AnneShirleysNewDress · 04/01/2021 11:14

I ordered a postal test yesterday and it's arriving today. If you are not able or well enough to post it back you can arrange for a courier to collect it for you.

steppemum · 04/01/2021 11:20

Also - how recently was dh deployed?

You may need to contact him, he should self isolate until you have your tests results.

Original poster

Adviceneededalways · 04/01/2021 11:20

Thanks everyone, you’ve all been a great help as didn’t know you could order tests online and have now done so for those of us that are showing symptoms.

Only slight issue is in pretty sure my symptoms were presenting before the recommended 8 days for a home test but DC’s weren’t and I have steadily been feeling worse so fingers crossed I still get an accurate test.

One minute I’m rationalising with my self and telling myself not to be ridiculous it’s just the post Christmas hangover and the next I’m chittering with fingers and toes that feel like they are going to fall off and someone is stabbing my temple with a screw driver...

OP posts:

Original poster

Adviceneededalways · 04/01/2021 11:22

@steppemum

Also - how recently was dh deployed?

You may need to contact him, he should self isolate until you have your tests results.

Thankfully they isolate their units before they go so DH is all good.

OP posts:

steppemum · 04/01/2021 11:25

OP, you sound quite poorly.
How good are your dc at helping out between them?

Have you got food in? You all need to hunker down for a few days.

best of luck x

NOTANUM · 04/01/2021 11:28

I don't want to panic you but your symptoms were my Covid symptoms.
Get the tests done and see how you get along. Best of luck OP.

Original poster

Adviceneededalways · 04/01/2021 11:36

Thanks all, I soldiered through a bit of a house clean up yesterday and took the tree out etc and just about to order a food shop and stock the cupboards up and DC are pretty good...

I’m definitely a lot more snappy emotional (and I’m sure my DC would also say irrational) and this seems to conincide with the headaches and waves of dizziness but thankfully no cough, wheezing or lack of breath.

OP posts:

SeaToSki · 04/01/2021 11:50

OP can you get an oximeter, vit D gummies and zinc lozenges. I would say melatonin but that is dreadfully hard to get in the UK. The oximeter os going to tell you if you oxygen levels are falling amd you need to call for medical advice (can be very difficult to tell from symptoms alone). The D and Zinc are the best ways to support your immune system to fight off whatever it is your have. If you want to go all out, get some Listerine and gargle every 3 hours for 1 min, it reduces viral load in your mouth and throat and slows the virus down while your immune system catches up. Then stay hydrated and rest as much as possible

BlueJag · 04/01/2021 11:56

A few things to bear in mind. Please start taking vitamin D it helps fight infections and it's proven to help with Corona. Please read the benefits. You'll be amazed on how energy and health improves.
Also have you had your boiler checked? Carbon monoxide can be a culprit for some of the symptoms in the house.

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