Hospital or not?

[wheresmymojo]

My uncle has COVID.

He's been double jabbed but only had his second jab just before catching it due to a bad reaction to the first one.

He is CEV

• About 30 stone
• Has MS

His oxygen SATs are 94 which is pretty borderline.

He's a single Dad to a 14 year old who also has COVID (little shit refused to have the vaccine and this is how his Dad caught it) so if he goes into hospital the 14 year old might be on their own for a few days (I'm 200 miles away and my Mum is also CEV so she's not super keen to have him until the end of his 7 days)

Uncle is likely to try and hold out from going to hospital because of son...however I know that the stats say the sooner you get treatment the better the outcome and given the context he needs the odds in his favour

DM is wondering whether to call an ambulance if SATs go below 93...

We tried calling 111 but because we're not with my uncle they won't help us! (Useful)

When would you call an ambulance?

(He will go in it...he's not going to refuse to go when it turns up)

I think you’re being a bit harsh on the DS!

I was 92 with covid.
Didn't know I should be worried.
If he's a grown man he can decide himself surely?

What symptoms does he have, you've not told us? What is his normal oxygen level? 94 is borderline for a healthy person, but for others their target range may be lower than that. In itself, it doesn't mean anything.

@BlueShirtGirl

I think you’re being a bit harsh on the DS!

Yep. It's not the DS's fault that his dad is obese, and wanting to choose what you put in your own body does not make someone a "little shit." Some of the attitudes on here stink.

I mean, does he feel unwell enough to warrant going into hospital. If he's managing at home he doesn't need to go in I would say.

Also, your nephew won't be left alone for a few days whilst he is admitted, social services will take him into temporary care until his father is well enough to be discharged or until a relative can care for him FYI!

Hope he recovers from covid soon

Sorry, just realised uncle son is obviously your cousin, not nephew

Is he struggling to breathe, or are you just going on the numbers? Tbh, 94% could be genuine, or it could be a slightly cold finger, not sitting up well to breathe, etc.

@BlueShirtGirl

I think you’re being a bit harsh on the DS!

Agreed.

I would ring gp/111 first they don't have to see your uncle in person but may be able to prescribe anti virals/steroids if they see fit and then hopefully check in on him in a few days to see if there's any improvement.

Jesus.

I hope you don’t bully the DS like this to his face.

Yep. It's not the DS's fault that his dad is obese, and wanting to choose what you put in your own body does not make someone a "little shit." Some of the attitudes on here stink.

As if you've never thought someone was a little shit or equivalent as a passing thought in frustration and helplessness, even when you don't truly believe it.

How the fuck can you be so sure the DS passed covid on? Does he also have covid?

@Sparklfairy

Yep. It's not the DS's fault that his dad is obese, and wanting to choose what you put in your own body does not make someone a "little shit." Some of the attitudes on here stink.

As if you've never thought someone was a little shit or equivalent as a passing thought in frustration and helplessness, even when you don't truly believe it.

Thinking it in passing is different to typing it out.

Also, the ds can still transmit covid regardless of vaccine status!

Can you ring his GP and speak to them yourself or ask them to do a telephone assessment?

They'll presumably know how much of a drop 94 is from normal.

But anything under 95 is cause for concern.

If the GP can't help in a timely manner then it will have to be 999 sending the paramedics to triage him.

But don't do nothing.

94 is enough to warrant action in someone with multiple sclerosis.

I know we all know how over-stretched the ambulance service is not silent hypoxia is common in covid patients and he needs to be checked by a medic.

If they won't talk due to him not being in the same room, can't his son call?

@Iggly I agree with both things you said but this is an anonymous forum, if she can't vent her actual feelings (however fleeting) here then where?

The injection doesn't stop you getting Covid OP

So it's not his sons fault

But yes he needs to go to hospital

Even if the 14 year old had had the vaccine im not sure there’d have been enough time to offer much protection from covid.

I hope he never knows that he’s being blamed for making his sick dad potentially critically ill from covid.

I’d ring the GP for advice but if you can’t get help then yes ring 999. Better that he goes to hospital rather than dying at home.
The 14yo isn’t being a little shit. They are being 14. Have some sympathy

@cultkid

The injection doesn't stop you getting Covid OP

Actually it can. Protection from infections wanes over time but there is an element of protection from infection especially early after vaccination. Hence the boosters.

However if he has caught it from his son at home there will be an increased viral load so more risk of infection and also has medical conditions which could increase his risk.

Wow I agree you’re very harsh on the 14 year old. He’s still a child. If he has Covid himself he’s likely to be feeling vulnerable and poorly. And if his dad goes into hospital it could potentially be for longer than a few days- have some compassion.

I’d ring 111 and go from there.

The vaccine for 12-15 year olds has been open for sign up for 4 weeks, OP..........

If he is CEV he should be eligable for the covid oximetry at home service.
www.england.nhs.uk/nhs-at-home/covid-oximetry-at-home/

Each local area runs this differently but when I got covid they were notified of my positive test and rang me a few days later. I was given an oximeter and they rang me each day to monitor me, they advise you when to go to hospital and can call an amulance if necessary.

@BlueShirtGirl

I think you’re being a bit harsh on the DS!

Absolutely! Your attitude is awful