Help! I have covid.

[TryingNotToPanicOverCovid]

Ive just found out Ive got covid this evening. I have absolutely no idea how. I have been walking everyday, but not going in shops or anywhere indoors. Ive been posting on these threads for a while as Im clinically vulnerable and have pulled kids out of school (this Jan/last march) and have been geberalky really anxious. We hose to shield for 2 months last March, washed goods etc.

I'm really anxious now. Are there things I can do to lesson chance of getting really ill?

I only felt like I needed my blue inhaler for first time in ages and wouldn't have thought anything of it other than my anxiety meant I was worried that if my asthma got worse they'd want to know if Id got covid so I tested to show I didn't.

Are there any false positives?

I don't want to die in the next 2 weeks. Or go to hospital.

I've liked reading the data threads and been watching the time til my predicted vaccine (group 6) get closer as both have helped anxiety. But I can't now believe I have it. I didn't think it was possible.

How bad will I get? Is there anything that can help reduce the likelihood of death/hospital.

Ive left an e consult for the dr (although I don't think they want to be consulted about covid?! Or maybe they mean get a test.)

Im so frightened.

(Namechanged as I'm probably obvious to anyone I know - say hi! )

I’m so sorry you caught it and that it is causing you distress. There’s great advice on this thread. If you get the flu like symptoms (here’s hoping you’re a symptomatic) then broth is always good, full of good vitamins, fluids and salt. Your family are probably worried too which can feed your stress so I would try to deescalate that. They will take their lead from you I would expect. I really hope it is not serious for you and if you need to chat keep posting

Love to you OP. I had covid beginning of Jan. Overweight, asthmatic, 40s. I did get short of breath if I did anything like stairs but was mostly fine. Rocketing heartrate though so went to a&e for checks. They said more concerned re oxygen and that was ok. Gave me antibiotics though and I started to improve within a day of them. Everyone different of course but maybe ask gp for antibiotics to have in just in case chest gets worse.

Scarby I have absolutely no idea. I wouldn't have thought we could get it from the supermarket delivery (we used to think that). Husband has bought ice creams out occasionally but from a stall where you stand masked outside and distnace/pay by contactless. We haven't been inside a supermarket or someone else's garden etc etc. Kids last in school before christmas and was my main worry of transmission.

I cant belive after a year of being so careful I have it. I have wondered about false positives. Or if its so transmissible walking outside really is dangerous?!?! We thought that last year and didn't leave the house for a couple of months. Then read that outdoors was safe and so did that but tried not to get near people.

I'd felt so much safer since the schools were off. Im aware now isnt he best time to need a hospital. Ive avoided catching it for a year to catch it when hospitals are overwhelmed 😬.

I guess at least if I survive I won't have to be so scared about catching it.

I don’t have any advice except to say try to eat healthy and get plenty of rest
Are any of your children showing symptoms? Wondering if you know how you caught it might be able to ascertain the viral load? Therefore the possible severity of the disease

Chimera - literally none of us works outside the house and we've avoided supermarkets since last March with a brief break late august/early sept when it was v low here.

I'd have said kids were our main likelihood but they're home now.

GoldStar thankyou - glad you're okay now. Did you ring dr or 111 when your symptoms worsened ? Must have been frightening.

Itllpass. I have literally no idea. If it was from the friend I walk with - we were walking at a distance outside. If it's from a coffee stall - we were masked and outside. My kids could have had it asymptomatically and then I've had lots of contact . But they've only been on walks like I have. One of them likes dogs but I didnt think you were likely to catch it outdoors.

I really dont know.

Call NHS 111

They have plenty of advice and were amazing for me (I ended up testing negative but they were more than happy to assist however they could)

Luckymum . Oxygen is fine. 95-98 . I hope the inhalers help.

Circum - I wondered that. Ive read other threads where they say "Ive been nowhere apart from supermarket..." we've literally not been indoors anywhere for a long time.

Fruitloo - wow 72! That's reassuring. Im okay with tired . I just want to be able to breathe. Was covid hub the people who help with food or medical? Ill ask the dr tomorrow who I need to ring and when.

SweetTea - it was a proper covid test centre swab. I didnt really think I had symptoms. My asthma was slightly worse/odd cough in evening but handful of times - I took the test as in my head I wanted to prove a negative if I booked an asthma appointment if I got worse.

They advised people to sleep on their front with covid as it improves the amount of oxygen to your body because on your front it stops your heart and stomach from pressing down on your lungs therefore allowing the air sacks in the lungs to fully inflate.

This is one way you can potentially help yourself. Keep yourself hydrated.

Covid tests can show positive up to 90 days after the infection starts. So you could have had asymptotic Covid and it’s just coincidence that you’ve tested now and it’s positive.

Sofiaaa - if I get worse or if I get worried? I havent a specific problem more a how not to get worse. I've left a message for my dr.

I would ring 111 if my sats were low or if I couldn't breath.

That's not - I normally sleep on my side but will try my front. I've never slept on my front.

Ive drunk more water just now and will keep a note of it to make sure I do.

Don't - wow really I didn't know that. I thought you had to catch it within 8 days (I dont know why I thought that. Its in my head). I so so hope thats the case!!

Firstly you need to calm down. High anxiety is not going to help.
Secondly, get lots of rest, take vit D tablets and up your intake of vit c (I'm using emergenc-e sachets) and drink plenty of water.
My OH has covid, he likens it to a bad head cold. He hasn't had any of the main symptoms.

Thanks. I am clamer than I was. I find being prepared helps me in a way. So not reading gory stories but what might help.

Ive ordered vit c for Tue am.

I hope your DH is okay now. Ive been mentally assuming I will be hard hit due to risk factors but I'm hoping for feeling run down!

Speaking to your GP is fine too, of course.

I used 111 online because I was unsure whether I needed a test or not due to breathing difficulties/raised heart rate without a cough and my GP was closed. A dr called me back, who was lovely and said to test and if I was positive, to not be afraid to call back for further help to navigate the situation as there’s plenty of support.

Sleep prone
It really helps increase oxygen levels.
Get an oximeter and zinc off of Amazon. I use Zahler zinc lozenges. They are pricey but worth it.

Thanks sofiaaa that's really reassuring. I'll ring them tomorrow if GP doesnt ring back and will be good to know I can if I get worse.

Thanks Vanguard. Ive never managed to sleep on my front (side sleeper) but will def try. Didnt think of amazon for zinc. Will do that.

I have an oximeter and an asthma breathing tube thing (actually can't think of the name) and both are okay right now.

You’re welcome. Try and get some rest now, I hope you have the most mild bout of COVID possible and it doesn’t get worse

I've also read that asthma isn't as high risk as initially thought.
You do sound very anxious OP. Can you distract yourself with a favourite book or box set?

Thanks Jonsnow. Im v high bmi and due to ME not brilliantly active, so worried about general health too. I hope its okay.

I've been so anxious for a year now I'm not quite sure what I feel now. I'm wide awake at 1.30 am though....

I keep wondering if I should plan for the girls if it might be the end. Should I write a letter? List lots of memories. I really don't know. It happens quickly if it hapoens doesnt it - i don't want to leave them.

I am anxious.

So I didnt sleep much. I tried distraction.

I don't feel tok bad but aoubd a bit croaky. My daughter wanted to look up Dr xand who she loves who had it. He's the same age as me and I did it to try and reassure her I'll be okay.

Oops. Hes was really ill wasnt he. And after 10 days of thinking he was okay 😬.

Too bad . Sound a bit croaky. Oops can't type.

I plan to do homeschool with youngest to begin with as thats their normal. Then work out what to do with work. And my husband is going to hoover/change bedding/make my room as asthma friendly as possible.

I wonder if you might have a false positive OP? Do you feel ill? Are any of your family feeling ill?

The only place it seems remotely likely you caught it is outside during exercise. We’re you among lots of other people or just the one friend?