How do I look after an isolating teen?

[Mommybunny]

DS16 has tested positive, the rest of the family (DH, DD14 and I) are all negative (so far). DH and I are both fully vaxxed. No major health issues with any of us. DS is feeling “a bit shit” in his words but so far nothing to really worry about.

DS has his own room and bathroom (though not en suite) and our house is big enough to really maintain isolation but I’m not sure how best to look after him to make sure he’s ok without exposing the rest of the family. All my instincts as a mother to touch his forehead or take his temperature and keep constant track of his symptoms, or even just to give him a reassuring cuddle, are being challenged! He took an LFT yesterday morning which was positive which is when he started isolating (the PCR confirmed it this morning). He’s been having meals separate from us (his appetite so far is holding up well!) and I’ve been leaving drinks outside his door and he’s been told to wear a mask when he leaves the room for his toilet. But can I go into him at all if we’re both masked?

DD and DH and I will continue to take LFTs. If she comes down with it, should we continue the isolation, with DH and I fully vaccinated?

Any tips from anyone about how to get through this next 10 days would be much appreciated.

DS (15) had it 2 weeks ago. We have 2 bathrooms so gave him sole use of one. Delivered meals to his room. He wore a mask when going from bedroom to bathroom.

He was perfectly happy to stay in his room with his xbox!

We (me, DH and DD age 19) are all doubled vaccinated with AZ. None of us got it. DS was a bit ropey and coughing. I got him to do his temp and O2 sats a couple of times a day. It was hard but we decided as a family it is what we thought was for the best.

@horseymum

We had two teens with it. Either ate their meals in their rooms or we all ate outside with them sitting apart from us but so much nicer. Didn't take temperature etc just offered paracetamol, they can probably guage whether they need it or not. Masks in the house to move around and plenty time outside ( as well as on screens!) It worked ad the rest of us didn't get it and they survived. Saved the hugs for afterwards. It feels long but everyone coped.

We did very similar when teen Dd had it. She isolated herself to her room straight away and wanted to prevent us all from catching it. We left food / drinks for her at her bedroom door or she came into the garden to eat / be with us. We kept the house really well ventilated and she wore a mask when she left her room to use the upstairs bathroom (we all used the one downstairs) or to go outside. We spoke on FaceTime and through the door! Luckily she didn't feel too ill - just a sore throat.

[quote Wellbythebloodyhell]@Mommybunny I can only assume that those horrified haven't got teenage boys themselves to realise that they "self isolate " at the best of times anyway. No two families circumstances are the same we just have to adapt to what works for us in the moment and re evaluate if it stops working .[/quote]

Yep!!!!

I'm pretty sure we all avoided catching it as 17 yo dd spends a lot of time in her room anyway! She was more than happy to spend time in her room chatting with friends and watching Netflix with the odd trip into the garden, when encouraged to do so. She was just annoyed she had to miss a few social events.

I work in A&E. Masks and excessive hand washing have seen me through this far despite working in “hot” (ie probable covid/ diagnosed covid) ED. I’d go with masks/ handwashing/ frequent cleaning (especially frequent touch points) and regular LFTs. Plus isolation to his own room/ bedroom as much as possible.
Personally id give him a hug if needed, but wash clothes afterwards and shower, but then I’ve been hugged by a couple of scared/ grateful patients and survived… though maybe I’m a bit blasé but this point!

Morning OP

I hope you both had an ok night.

It’s day 10 of our isolation here. DS is finally on the mend and the rest of us didn’t catch it. I have missed DS so much and can’t wait for life to go back to normal, but it’s been a very long 10 days and he has felt very poorly. We are all so excited about freedom day. Even walking the dog in the rain will be such a joy. Isolating worked for us. Obviously there is no ideal scenario but if the rest of us had caught it then we would be isolating for even longer. DH and I are climbing the walls but managing ok thanks to supermarket deliveries and a couple of takeaways to break up the monotony, but DS15 is absolutely desperate to go out and see his friends. An extended isolation would have been the end of the world for him.

Good luck and best wishes. It’s such a horrible virus and a difficult time for families. At least you can keep your windows open and you have space to isolate. For us it was tough but worth it. Take care

Hi @RapidRollerSkater Thanks for your message and well done on reaching your 10 days! I’m sure it was hell but I’m sure it was worth it. I hope you all thoroughly enjoy your well-deserved walk and reunion and that any rain waits till you’re home and dry and cuddled together watching a film.

DS is feeling a lot better today - sore throat and cough gone, never had a fever, just has a headache that even now is not as bad as yesterday. I hope that isn’t the calm before the storm. He’s bored but not complaining (yet). DD took an LFT this morning that was negative so I’m hoping this stays the case for her sake.

DS laughed out loud when I told him 16 year-olds will start getting vaccinated soon…

[quote Wellbythebloodyhell]@Mommybunny I can only assume that those horrified haven't got teenage boys themselves to realise that they "self isolate " at the best of times anyway. No two families circumstances are the same we just have to adapt to what works for us in the moment and re evaluate if it stops working .[/quote]
I have a 15 year old boy. He became withdrawn and isolated enough in lockdown one. I would not take the risk of isolating from him if he had Covid. Agree no two families circumstances are the same.