DH just tested positive but we have 3 DCs who are clinically extremely vulnerable.

[Dogatetheleftovers]

DH just received email informing him that he’s had a positive test. Not surprising really when lots of colleagues have it. But he’s tried to be really vigilant, wearing kn95 masks, hand washing etc because of our kids. Now that he’s tested positive, coughing, tight chest, fatigued, we’re left wondering what to do. The DCs are teenagers so old enough to understand the risks and to know that they’ve all had shielding letters. I’ve had one as well. I’m terrified now and I know we’ve got to wait 14 days to see if one of us has it too. Already one dc has temperature and headache! Anyone offer any kind words of support or advice, it would be most welcome.

Seeing you so much love and support right now

Set up beds on the sofa and maybe mask your those not positive in the house?

Dogatetheleftover- how are you feeling? Do you feel ok? I think one of most/important things is to get stuff in place for food etc in case you get ill. Where in the country are you? Do you have any local support groups you can reach out to now? Where I live we have an emergency village group and I’m also a member of various autism groups. Try not to worry but please don’t try and keep soldiering on if you yourself are feeling unwell.

Oh no, just seen your update about dd. I wish there was some way we could help. Please reach out for community support or to the nhs responders programme. If you were near me, I'd happily help.

Oh you poor things. Please take care of yourselves mentally as well as physically. Put cleaning wipes in the bathroom. Stay apart as much as possible. Screens in each room if you can, with Zoom or something on, so you can all chat to each other all day. Remember to take care of yourself, as well as everyone else.

Just to say as others have said we are here for you, if you need anything . Really wish I could help you in RL.
Practically try to use masks and gloves if have when caring for DC to try and stop you getting it . Hope DH is doing ok .

Please please don’t read any other threads, you are anxious enough as it is ❤️

You have my sympathies

I’m on day 7 of isolating with dd who has tested positive.

I’m trying hard not to catch it, obviously having been in the house with her on the preceding days, though we were doing are on stuff

I’m ventilating regularly- opening doors and windows periodically through the day

Use rubber gloves and mask to collect crockery, washing in sink and put in dishwasher to sterilise

Fortunately we have a downstairs bathroom so I’m using that and not going in upstairs bathroom at all - which has windows open to ventilate 24/7

It’s literally room service and we use face time to chat

They suggest hotter laundry setting and hot tumble dry along with hotter dishwasher setting for precaution.

I’ve been told to return to work after 10 days as infection level will be ok by then and that’s government guide lines. As king as I don’t show symptoms

I’ve booked a lateral flow test jyst before work to get checked

Good luck 🤞

What a worry Op . Sending you love and strength , fingers crossed for a speedy recovery for them xxx

Brave DD getting the test done x

I’ve just had an Amazon delivery left outside with alcohol wipes for bathroom, door handles, taps etc and some alcohol hand gel too. Already got masks and gloves which DH and DCs are using. Eldest dc and myself are trying our best to support everyone but he’s worried about his own health issues now as a result of the Covid test results which we’ve received for his sister and dad. I’ve ordered more paracetamol and ibuprofen plus some Vicks vaporub as dd feels very congested and has asked for some. She’s asleep now, bless her, but I expect the night to be the worst as she feels so scared during the night. She’s also terrified of me catching Covid.
I can’t thank you all enough for your support and kindness. You’ve helped me so much during this horrible time. I am trying to take things an hour at a time so that I don’t panic. It might be a strange question but does anyone know if hospitals allow a parent to stay with an autistic teenager if she has Covid? I know she wouldn’t cope at all on her own and yet she might end up being admitted if her test is positive. My dm posed the question to me today when she phoned and now my imagination is running riot.

I really don't know about hospitals OP, maybe try and just focus on where you are right now and find out if you need to.
I have asthma and our airways (everybody) naturally restrict at night, which is fine for most people but is one of the reasons why, if you have breathing difficulty, it's worse at night.
Hope you all get through ok. You're another day through this.

I’m not sure on that my my mums friend had COVID earlier in year and paramedics came out and gave her oxygen at house, she had recently had cancer and her consultant said try and not admit her unless absolutely necessary so they said they’d come out and give her oxygen at house as needed, ordinarily she’d have been admitted, not sure of your daughters medical condition but maybe staying at home and receiving remote treatment could be option?

Hi Op, offering a hand hold, but youre doing a fab job! At our Trust we are still allowing a parent or appropriate adult to visit a child who is a patient within the hospital, but these hours are restricted. Also this isn't the same for all trusts so best to Google your local hospital and their current visitor policy.

I think you can stay with a child but you might have to have a test .

My dc was in hospital recently (not covid though) and I was allowed at stay with him. There were no other visitors though and I couldn’t swap with DH so I had to make sure I had enough spare clothes, cleaning stuff, snacks etc.

You're doing a great job.
Not sure if the guidance has changed but I know they had recommended avoiding ibuprofen with Covid unless it's part of your regular medication.

If they let you stay with the child you'll have to stay in the room isolating with them.

You sound super organised so I'd maybe get everything you'd need in a bag ready in case? Make sure you have all you'd need. They'll likely test you though.

Just popping by to say that I am not a spring chicken and have been told to shield because of lung damage but I did get covid pretty early in and I'm fine. Was more unwell than some for a few weeks, but never hospitalised. Try not to worry.

My DS tested positive 2 weeks ago and I was terrified we would all get it. We didn't. He stayed in his room. I had windows open everywhere and it was freezing but ventilation is important. We have all been taking Vitamin D and Vitamin C with zinc. He had his own bathroom and wore a mask to go to it.
Try not to worry.

Sorry, hadn't read your update.
Keep doing what you are doing and you will get through this.

I looked into the staying with an autistic teen in hospital too, as my DD wouldn't cope and I believe you are allowed to stay as they are classed as vulnerable . Don't forget it's a really tiny percentage of people who become unwell enough to need hospital . It really helped me to remember that .

Re bleach and loo, isn't dettol better?

I'd keep some diluted in water bottle by loo and get people to splash in loo before and after flush.
Remember to wipe loo handle, taps and door handle in and out bathroom as well as light switches.

Keep windows open as much as you can.
I invested in lots of electric blankets this Xmas for this reason, we get struck with covid but can keep warm under electric blankets and keep ventilation going.

Sorry op I missed your alcohol wipe update.

Another thing I ordered was dettol clothes spray and dettol laundry stuff to wash bedding in.

Thank you everyone for the continued support and practical advice. I think it’s going to be a long night here, DH and our two DD’s are coughing so much. I’ve just gone through that breathing video with one of them as she’s struggling and then getting really anxious. She had what we now believe was Covid last March and ended up in a and e where they prescribed steroids. It helped her airways a lot and she was able to continue recovery at home rather than be admitted. Back then they weren’t testing routinely so we’ll never know if it was coronavirus but I’m thinking of phoning GP tomorrow (if they answer, that is!) and ask if she could have some steroids again.

Good morning

The steroids and GP call sounds a great idea, good plan to just let them know anyway the five of you are in need in your situation.

With the coughing: have you got any diffuser humidifiers in the house? Amazon have them cheaply like this one www.amazon.co.uk/Criacr-Essential-Humidifiers-Adjustable-Automatically-Pure-White/dp/B012EW5YCK/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=diffuser&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1610355800&sr=8-5 You can use them with plain water without essential oil and it can safely run for hours, I find it makes a huge difference in comfort when I have a chest infection and am coughing constantly.