I’ve got Covid - help!

[justbananas42]

I started feeling a bit under the weather on Wednesday but put it down to a common cold, as I was sneezing with a runny nose and didn’t have a cough.

Yesterday lunchtime I noticed I’d lost my sense of taste and smell, so did a lateral flow test at home and it’s positive! I did another one to be sure and that was also positive. DH also did one and surprisingly his was negative.

A few questions:

1. Do I have to self isolate for 10 days after symptoms started (so until Friday 12th/Saturday 13th)? Am I okay to start going out and about after that?

1. I have a 14 month old DC and am terrified they will catch it as I have to be in close contact with them obviously. Although I am also wondering if they’ve already had it, as DC has randomly been very cranky this past week for no obvious reason.

1. Can DH still go out and about if he continues to display no symptoms and his lateral flow tests are negative? Or does he have to stay home even with a negative LFT?

1. How long should it take me to feel better and when can I expect to get my sense of taste and smell back?

Thanks!

@justbananas42

True *@DreamThrum*.

When I did the lateral flow tests the positive lines were very strong. Does that mean I’ve got a heavier viral load than someone who gets a faint line?

I don't know, but I wondered the same! Both of us had a strong line. But I haven't seen any others and don't know if it's common to get a faint line.

Another question! When my 10 days are up, do I need to do another test and get a negative LFT or PCR before I can come out of isolation? What if the LFT is still saying positive after 10 days?

I had it a few weeks back and felt absolutely terrible.
Like you I was concerned my child would get it from me. To try and prevent this I wore a mask all day except while in bed (baby now in own room since I tested positive) impeccable hand hygiene constantly washing and santising. And hubby who was also negative slept on the sofa.
It would appear it has missed them. But like you I was very scared.
Luckily my partner was able to take time off work despite the fact he is double vaxxed and testing negative.
I went for a test because I was notified I was a positive contact. I was getting negative lateral flows but had a positive PCR and I honestly thought it was wrong. Until day 3 of isolation and BAM I was ill, high temp, body aches, absolutely no appetite and extremely fatigued. It was awful. I ended up having to isolate for 15 days as the symptoms kicked in 3 days after my positive test. Tbh though, the isolation flew in because I did feel awful and would not be able to go anywhere anyway.

@justbananas42

Another question! When my 10 days are up, do I need to do another test and get a negative LFT or PCR before I can come out of isolation? What if the LFT is still saying positive after 10 days?

No, you don't test again for 90 days as it can throw up false positives in that time. Don't try and calculate your isolation period too much though, the most important thing is to get a PCR which I know you're doing. When you get your positive result, Test and Trace will contact you and THEY will inform you of your isolation period. You need that process to happen to give you the definitive answer and anything else is just a guesstimate.

@justbananas42

Another question! When my 10 days are up, do I need to do another test and get a negative LFT or PCR before I can come out of isolation? What if the LFT is still saying positive after 10 days?

No, don't test again as a pp says. T&T told me that as long as you're feeling OK at the end of the isolation period, it's fine to come out of it. The cough and loss of sense of taste or smell can linger and it's OK to leave isolation if you still have these symptoms. But if you have a temperature or otherwise feel unwell still, then you should stay in beyond the 10 days.

The only thing I can add is please don’t worry about your child getting it. I have recently seen one GOSH paediatricians talk about this. Healthy children just don’t get Covid badly BUT the stats on the effect on children’s mental health are scary so try and maintain calmness around your DC if you can - that’s the best way to protect them.
Get well soon

Thanks @AlandAnna

I had a faint line yesterday, stronger this morning and very strong just now - I went for a PCR this morning but was feeling anxious and couldn't wait for the results, I think it's clear what that will be now!

It's similar to a pregnancy test, so the more antigen, the stronger the signal. But that's only in your nose (or nose and throat) - I'm not sure you could extrapolate that to say that there's a higher viral load in your lungs or anywhere else.