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Original poster

When can I hug my child after covid?

64 replies

jentg · 02/12/2021 05:03

My daughter had a positive LFT & PCR 9 days ago. My son got it the next day and husband 5 days ago. I'm doing my best to keep away from the all which is hard.
I know not everyone would but I haven't hugged them as I'm trying for them to have one healthy parent in the house.
My daughter now has a negative LFT. I don't understand the science of it no matter what I Google. Would she still be infectious?
I'd love a cuddle. It's a lonely place being the last lady standing.

OP posts:
parrotonmyshoulder · 02/12/2021 05:10

If you’re altogether in the home, then hugging is going to make no difference. Definitely have your cuddle.

Whitegrenache · 02/12/2021 05:16

Oh my this is post is tragic

OP unless you are are CEV then please hug your child Sad

What fear have we created that a parent is questioning if it's ok to hug their sick child

Absolutely heartbreaking 💔

DockOTheBay · 02/12/2021 05:19

Have a hug for goodness sake.

Unless you're extremely vulnerable and unvaccinated i don't understand why you wouldn't hug your child for 9 days. How old is she?

Gooseysgirl · 02/12/2021 05:23

Hug the child!!! My 9YO DD had covid a few weeks ago and there is no way I wouldn't have have hugged her. Myself and DH are fully vaccinated so the risk was reduced, as it happens none of us caught it.
By the way, once you test positive you are not meant to test again for 90 days, as you can still test positive but no longer be contagious.

Original poster
jentg · 02/12/2021 05:24

@DockOTheBay

Have a hug for goodness sake.

Unless you're extremely vulnerable and unvaccinated i don't understand why you wouldn't hug your child for 9 days. How old is she?

They've had each other so it's only me missing out and they've been perfectly happy. Originally we were doing our best to preserve Christmas activities (now cancelled). Then when husband got it he's so very poorly it would be so hard to look after everyone and both be that sick.
OP posts:
Dishhh · 02/12/2021 05:25

@Whitegrenache

Oh my this is post is tragic

OP unless you are are CEV then please hug your child Sad

What fear have we created that a parent is questioning if it's ok to hug their sick child

Absolutely heartbreaking 💔

Please read the post before you jump in with your "oh, what have we become" platitudes. This Mum doesn't need that and she didn't ask for that.

What she DID ask is how long the infectious period of Covid likely to be.

OP, my best guess is based on your DD's negative LFT. Go with that. Is she still showing symptoms? I think you're OK to give her a well-deserved cuddle.

DockOTheBay · 02/12/2021 05:26

How are you looking after then while not going near them? How old are they?

DockOTheBay · 02/12/2021 05:28

Please read the post before you jump in with your "oh, what have we become" platitudes. This Mum doesn't need that and she didn't ask for that.
I think its important to point out that it's not necessary or recommended to do this. So many anxious people on mumsnet don't need to be led to believe this is normal behaviour

OliveTree75 · 02/12/2021 05:29

If your DH is so poorly and you've been keeping away then who has been looking after them?

Whitegrenache · 02/12/2021 05:30

@Dishhh

Fair point
OP to answer your question- as isolation is 10 days (?) the one would assume that this means someone is no longer infectious - then probably it's safe to hug after the 10 days

Hope your family gets well soon x

Original poster
jentg · 02/12/2021 05:31

@DockOTheBay

How are you looking after then while not going near them? How old are they?
The two kids are symptomless and spend most of the time running riot in the garden. They've 7&9 so it's not like I'm not touching a baby. My husband is quite sick, it would be hard to ensure everyone has food/is keeping well. This isn't about my choice to separate in order to maintain one person being healthy. I was asking if she has a negative LFT is she infectious. I don't know that and was hoping someone would.Smile
OP posts:
Original poster
jentg · 02/12/2021 05:32

She's only ever had a 30 min temperature on day 2.
Useful comments thank you.

OP posts:
Juniper68 · 02/12/2021 05:35

7 and 9! That's so sad.

SpringRainbow · 02/12/2021 05:37

You would have been able to hug her whenever you wanted.

Hope your husband feels better soon.

junebirthdaygirl · 02/12/2021 06:13

I am recovering from Covid and no way could l have looked after a 7 or 9 year old while going through main symptoms. I was flat out in bed hardly able to move. So l think it was very wise to keep your distance as your dh was so ill so at least someone in the house is well.
I had an appointment with my GP on day 14..arranged before l got Covid..he was happy to go ahead with appointment but took me to another room where he wouldn't be seeing other patients later, didn't let me into waiting room but otherwise had the consultation. So he obviously believed he was safe enough with me but we were wearing masks. So l think after the 10 days isolation you will be fine. Remember they can go back to school then so must be deemed OK.
Hope your dh recovers soon.

ChangingStates · 02/12/2021 06:22

Isolation ends after 10 days if there are no further symptoms- so in terms of nhs guidance that's when you should be pretty confident they are no longer infectious. Before that I am not sure anyone can say for sure.

Delatron · 02/12/2021 08:52

Who has been looking after them if you’ve been keeping your distance? They can’t have been in the garden 24 hours a day. So young too. My 11 year old was quite worried and needed lots of company and reassurance when he had Covid.

I don’t understand not hugging your child, especially when ill. But this virus has done strange things to lots of people. I guess your DH could provide some hugs though.

For what it’s worth when DS1 was ill we didn’t social distance at all and provided lots of hugs and neither DH nor I caught it. You’ll be fine now.

jening · 02/12/2021 09:10

For goodness sake people!!! It is possible to look after children for a week without touching them. They are bright kids and highly able to wash/dress themselves. I've been here but keeping a distance.

Believe it or not I was doing this for their benefit and not to hinder them so as to ensure they consistently have someone looking after them.

I've never posted on Mumsnet before and not in a hurry again. When I've had a super tough week trying to do the best by everyone didn't really need this. I ask a clear question and instead get a barrage of judging on my parenting.

PrivateHall · 02/12/2021 09:28

I think it is common sense to try and ensure one adult in the household doesn't get sick. That being said, my teen currently is unwell and has been climbing into bed with me for cuddles. I was told by contact tracing that I mustn't go near them but I just couldn't do that to them. However this same teen happily hung out in their room 24/7 when I had covid - they only need me now because they are unwell. Your DC are well so I am sure they are quite happy with this arrangement.

I don't think there is a definite answer to this op, sorry!

HesterShaw1 · 02/12/2021 09:29

Christ on a bike, what have we become?

HesterShaw1 · 02/12/2021 09:31

I know a poster said don't say that, but really!!

AlexaShutUp · 02/12/2021 09:32

I was asking if she has a negative LFT is she infectious.

No way of knowing. I did negative ltf tests the same day I did a positive pcr.

Personally, I would just hug her anyway and did when my dd had covid, but if you want to minimise the risk then you need to wait until the isolation period is over.

Coughee · 02/12/2021 09:37

I get you op. When me and dh had covid at the same time it was a ballache. Neither of us could leave the house which wasn't very convenient and I was also worried about us both being unwell and trying to keep the household running. I can see why you'd try and avoid that - although I don't think I could have actually denied my kids a hug if they'd asked. I would say from day 10 onwards you probably don't need to worry so much about catching it from her.

Howmanysleepsnow · 02/12/2021 09:41

According to this it’s not likely to be very transmissible on day 9. LFTs only pick up 53% of cases though as they’re less sensitive, so a clear LFT only means there’s not enough virus to be detected by that type of test.
I’d hug her, even more so if DH is getting better: it’d take on average 4 days for you to start showing symptoms anyway, by which point he’s on day 9

When can I hug my child after covid?
jening · 02/12/2021 09:44

@Howmanysleepsnow

According to this it’s not likely to be very transmissible on day 9. LFTs only pick up 53% of cases though as they’re less sensitive, so a clear LFT only means there’s not enough virus to be detected by that type of test. I’d hug her, even more so if DH is getting better: it’d take on average 4 days for you to start showing symptoms anyway, by which point he’s on day 9
Brilliant message! This is the sort of info I find useful. Thank you.