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Original poster

I need a hand hold... in shock after positive Covid test

130 replies

EdinaMonsoon · 22/03/2021 22:56

I'm 5 days away from getting the vaccine. I have stayed home an entire year except for walking my dog in the most remote spots I could find & medical appointments. Youngest DS picked it up at school (Y12). I'm terrified. Became symptomatic yesterday. Positive result today. I'm aching and coughing with a bit of a headache. I'm terrified. Please tell me your positive outcome Covid stories or just take my mind off this shit show.

OP posts:
Literallynoidea · 23/03/2021 08:33

To the PP who said having a primary school child made her feel 'like a sitting duck', I would say that you are VERY unlikely to catch if off a primary aged child.

They are half as likely as an adult to A) catch it and B) transmit it: www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/we-now-know-how-much-children-spread-coronavirus

BigSandyBalls2015 · 23/03/2021 08:35

Try not to stress OP, you’re very unlikely to be seriously ill. DH caught it at work, felt fluey for a few days. Me and DDs didn’t catch it despite all living together and I was still sharing a bed with him (early 50s).

QuietBatPeople1 · 23/03/2021 08:36

Thank you @Literallynoidea. That was me. I’ll have a read through the link

BigSandyBalls2015 · 23/03/2021 08:37

How on earth has anyone been able to stay at home for a year!! That would have driven me completely nuts Shock

AcornAutumn · 23/03/2021 10:38

@BigSandyBalls2015

How on earth has anyone been able to stay at home for a year!! That would have driven me completely nuts Shock
Yes, my cousin got a shielding letter and ignored it.

I'm CV apparently but been on the Tube.

I am not sure what happens to your immune system after a long period of isolation. I'm not sad to be away from the gits who bring their colds to work when they could work at home, but I think normal life exposes people to a lot of bugs even without going to a horrible airless office!

VaccineYayVaccineNay · 23/03/2021 10:48

Hi OP. I caught it from my DH a few weeks ago, 2 days before I was meant to have my vaccine. I had it very mildly. A bit of a cough for a day or 2 which I probably wouldn't have given a seconds thought in normal times, then lost my sense of smell. That's it. I didn' feel unwell at all. I did vomit one night but I have health anxiety and think it was a panic attack as opposed to covid. My DS had it very mildly too, and our other 2 children didn't catch it/were asymptomatic . Unfortunately my DH was hospitalised but is home recovering well now

Thefaceofboe · 23/03/2021 10:53

I think you should just go by your symptoms not the positive test as such (although easier said than done). I tested positive in January just as I found out i was pregnant and was asymptomatic. I scared myself silly waiting to get poorly and apart from a bit of a headache, it didn’t happen and my baby was also fine! I hope you feel better soon x

BlackeyedSusan · 23/03/2021 11:03

of course you are going to be more worried because your friends have died. It is prefectly reasonable to feel that way. Try to stay calm with relaxation. (I know, easier typed than done)

Is there a particular reason you are staying away from your son who also has it?

Cas112 · 23/03/2021 11:22

Lost taste and smell, bit rough for a couple days. Other than that fine.

FloraFauna27 · 23/03/2021 13:51

@lljkk

what are your clinical vulnerabilities? Not that I suppose it matters. Probably most of the very vulnerable & elderly people come thru covid with only mild illness.
What a knobbish thing to say.
Tiredmum21 · 23/03/2021 14:05

I tested positive on Wednesday - I think i might have had the worst of it despite having no health condition.

Awful pounding headache for 6 days which effected my eyes, chills and fever, fatigue and muscle pain.

Last couple of days the headache and chills/fever have eased but now have diarrhoea, nausea and breathlessness to contend with. I really hoped I would get off in a few days with mild symptoms.

Literallynoidea · 23/03/2021 21:50

OP I hope today has been ok

Campervan69 · 23/03/2021 22:17

How are you doing OP? DH and I both had it pretty badly end of January. Still recovering now tbh. The oxometer was very reassuring to me when I was having problems breathing but it is scary and lonely.

Carrotcakeforbreakfast · 23/03/2021 22:38

I'm day 14 and the anxiety is definitely the worst part. I'm not saying that covid is a walk in the park because it wasn't and I'm still not 100% but I managed at home.
DH was admitted very briefly for oxygen and was sent home with antibiotics.
He is the healthy one.
Me the unhealthy one. Slightly overweight and a smoker was okay at home.

My main symptoms even now were tiredness and a headache.
At day 7 I felt breathless but my sats were fine.
Also chocolate tastes mouldy now but thats probably a good thing.

Just take it easy.
Vit D, Vit C, paracetamol and lots of fluids.

Original poster
EdinaMonsoon · 24/03/2021 18:24

Thank you all for your replies. It's really helped to read through them all and see so many positive outcomes, together with all the great advice on breathing techniques, resting positions etc. I know many people just get on with this but I'm not one of them and I truly appreciate people taking the time to keep my mind occupied. It has been wonderful to read your accounts of getting through it & has lifted my spirits somewhat.

I'm doing as well as can be expected. And I agree that it's the "what if it gets worse" that is stressing me out the most. It's a surreal & lonely experience to be ill and to not be able to have physical support from loved ones.

Someone asked why DS & I are not in together. TBH, I wasn't sure if that was okay? Is there any risk of increasing viral load if two infected persons are in the same room? I rang 119 and they said there was no legal issue with it but they couldn't advise me as to whether it affects clinical outcome.

Headache has mostly disappeared, chills & aches on & off - although I'm keeping to a regular pain relief schedule to minimise that. Coughing regularly but not uncontrollably. Doing hourly diaphragm breathing exercises & 4 hourly deep breathing exercises.

Had a total wobble this morning when I thought I was getting breathless. I think it was actually panic. My oxygen was fine - 99% with a brief, second long drop to 96 before it perked right back up again. I spoke with the GP and they have prescribed diazepam as a back up for when I feel totally overwhelmed - on the proviso that I take my sats first to establish that it's psych & not physical.

OP posts:
Literallynoidea · 25/03/2021 12:43

Diazepam you lucky thing! Glad you're feeling ok and hope you start to feel better soon.

Quadrangle · 25/03/2021 19:07

Hope you are ok op

Cokie3 · 26/03/2021 04:15

@SakuraEdenSwan1

A handhold? Oh come on *@EdinaMonsoon* get a grip
Charming. For a nurse you're not very caring are you. The OP is right to be worried, it is a very very serious thing, even if you don't take it seriously.
orpah · 26/03/2021 04:57

@QuietBatPeople1

I believe the viral load plays a key factor as to how unwell you will be. Since you got it off your son, I’m assuming ( keeping fingers crossed) that the shedding from him is not a huge amount therefore your viral load is lesser than you directly contracting it? As the others have others have pointed out- Take your vitamins Plenty of rest and fluids Close eye on oxygen And any change please call for help

I understand how scary this is. We have spent 12 months and more of everyone and everything around is reminding us to be very scared. I’m like you- don’t go out except for walks, everything online and still wash groceries. I’m terrified of catching it as well- but have a child in primary so feel like a sitting duck.

?! can you explain the first paragraph to me please?
GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 26/03/2021 07:45

I had it quite badly last Easter. My advice is rest, rest, rest. Don’t do anything unless you absolutely have to.

I also took paracetamol. Worst thing was trying to stop the cough at night - I think Benelyn night coughs is the best but there was not getting hold of that last year. Hot lemon and honey with fresh ginger is good.

Campervan69 · 27/03/2021 17:11

I'm not convinced about the viral load thing actually. My husband got it off his work partner, I then got it off my husband who I hadn't spent much time with as was so busy at work, have separate bedrooms etc. I had hardly seen him in the days prior to testing positive. However we were all as ill as each other.

LilacsAndFreesias · 27/03/2021 18:37

How are you op?

Shell7272 · 28/03/2021 07:21

@EdinaMonsoon,hope you’re doing ok x

StrugglingWFH · 28/03/2021 07:50

Both myself and partner tested positive on Friday after having symptoms since Tuesday. Partner has asthma so went to A&E on Wednesday as struggling to breathe. I have no underlying health conditions, apart from being overweight but I've really struggled, especially with an excruciating headache! I'm honestly in shock that I caught it as I've barely left home in a year but partner is a key worker and he has picked it up from work. I've never been so scared or felt so ill Sad

LilacsAndFreesias · 28/03/2021 08:08

Sorry to hear that Struggling. Hope you feel better soon and your partner