When did you feel well enough to go back to work

[TamaraDeLempicky]

I'm on day 8 now and work (primary school) are expecting me back on Tuesday. I can't stand for more than a minute and the fatigue...

Perhaps I'll be ok by Tuesday, otherwise I'll need a doctor's note. When did you honestly feel ready to work again? Were you back to normal on day 11?

I was unable to work for three weeks. I was in bed for the first two weeks and still unwell but more mobile in week three. I did a phased return over weeks four and five.

As soon as isolation was up I was ready.
Tbh I could have worked through but I'd have struggled for 3 or 4 days with the fatigue.
I was very fortunate.

I signed myself off for a week then got a line for a fortnight. I was the same with fatigue, only felt really ill for 4/5 days but had shocking fatigue for around 10 days after that.

I had 7 weeks off followed by a 4 week phased return.

I'm pretty much back to normal now (tested positive in early August).

My advice is to rest as much as possible and if you need more time to recover, take it.

Went back to work 3 weeks after start of symptoms. Felt grotty first day back lightheaded and yuck. Second day back it just cleared and I felt fine. Been feeling good since. Personally I wonder if it’s more a 3 week illness.

8 weeks.

I was in a similar position to you, I work in a primary school but only 3 days and thankfully, that meant I went back on day 15, I managed but I was very tired, I’m now 21 days in and am fully recovered. A few have had covid in the school I work in, it’s a very small school, 1 was back after the 10 days, one took 3 weeks and one took 4 weeks but is only working 1/2 days, she had it particularly bad and has lots of other health issues. I did find I got to a certain stage and then improved quite quickly.

I had very minimal symptoms really. Like a bad cold virus and was back after the ten days. Dh was very rough and rang the gp to get a sick note. He took a few weeks to fully get back on his feet. Get well soon op, lots of rest x

Two weeks

I was quite ill, but got better quickly after around day 8/9. Also a primary school teacher. Day 10 was a Saturday, I went for a walk and swimming on day 11 just to see how it went. Back to work on Monday, then actually 'fine' by Thursday. The previous Thursday felt like I'd never be well again!

Should add that being stuck in made me feel worse. By the time I was out in fresh air, moving around (slowly), I seemed to improve quickly.

Straight away, could have worked throughout...very lucky with only mild symptoms. Same for DH too.

Thanks everyone! Interesting reading about everyone's experiences. There's no one size fits all, is there?

No, so many varying factors including age, health, viral load, job etc.
I agree with pp that you should rest and go back when you feel ready.

Work in a primary school, there wa see ally only one day where I would have been too unwell to go in. Definitely fine to work by Day 6 (and did so from home) which was when term started again. Was very tired by the evening from Day 11-20 but am fine again now.

I'm going to take another day or two off and then go back to work. I anticipate a lot of sitting down on my first day back!