Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Do 2 people with COVID have to isolate from each other?

37 replies

AntennaReborn · 14/12/2021 09:56

DD10 tested positive on Friday and has been isolating in her room since then; I tested positive this morning.

In all of the official guidance I can't find anything that explicitly says whether we can now be in contact or not?

Neither of us are very sick, just a very mild cough and a stuffy nose.

I guess I'm worried that as we tested positive at different times I could somehow re-infect her, and she would still be contagious when her isolation ends? DH has so far dodged it so I'm trying to keep him safe now (we both had our 3 jabs, although the 3rd one was just a few days ago so probably not making much of a difference just yet)

DD is quite happy in her room (the novelty of uninterrupted Roblox time hasn't worn off yet) and doesn't really need me for anything

Can anyone help point me in the direction of the correct guidance please?

Thanks! 😊

OP posts:
Roseandgeranium · 14/12/2021 09:58

It’s fine to spend time with your daughter. You are highly unlikely to reinfect one another within days of recovery as your immune systems will already be primed for fighting the virus.

Coronachristmas21 · 14/12/2021 10:04

3 out of 4 of us have covid. We haven't isolated away from each other at all from the start. Ideally everyone would to avoid infection but it's hard. Ds is 10 but he's autistic and he just wouldn't manage it.

In your case, even more so not to isolate away from each other when you both have it.

Bobholll · 14/12/2021 10:30

Of course you can mix. You both have it. What do you think is going to happen?

Santahatesbraisedcabbage · 14/12/2021 10:32

When my adult dd (lives away from home) and teen dd got it I sent dd to stay there!! Saved other dd from sharing a room!! And she didn't get it!

Original poster
AntennaReborn · 14/12/2021 11:30

Sorry if my OP wasn't clear, I'm not looking for MNers opinions, just wondering whether anyone has seen some official advice on this

I am reluctant to call 111 and take up their time if the information exists online already, but I haven't been able to find it

OP posts:
brogued · 14/12/2021 11:42

It's not "opinion" it's common sense that of course you don't have to isolate from eachother. Do you really think you're going to end up in a cycle of reinfecting eachother??

Delatron · 14/12/2021 11:45

They won’t give official advice for something that’s pretty obvious. Sorry don’t mean that in an arsey way!

santasmuma · 14/12/2021 11:46

Isolation is designed to stop infection, you are both infected. Yes you can mix.

santasmuma · 14/12/2021 11:46

Please for the love of some donkey don't waste a 111 call on this.

trevthecat · 14/12/2021 11:48

You both have the same virus. You don't need to isolate from each other. I wouldn't of made my 10 year old isolate alone anyway. Don't waste 111's time with this

HopefulHetty · 14/12/2021 11:48

Just support one another.
The government can't help you with this.

JustALittleHelpPlease · 14/12/2021 11:50

There is no explicit guidance because it is not required. The guidance states to isolate from each other within a household where possible if some are negative and others positive. It is very obvious that this means you do not need to do this if you are all/both positive.

namechange30455 · 14/12/2021 11:52

Do people not have any common sense any more?

Self isolating within the household is to stop the spread of infection to other household members. It's utterly pointless for you to SI from your DD now as you both have it. It has already spread.

Do you really need "official guidance" to tell you that? It's like asking if you should use contraception when you're already pregnant Hmm

Fizzbo · 14/12/2021 12:00

I think this is where common sense comes in to play. There is no need to take up the time of a 111 call handler with this when there may be a genuine caller needing medical advice waiting to get through. I mean this kindly though I’m aware you may not take it that way. Many people seem to have lost the ability to make common sense decisions where Covid is concerned. 💐

Cherrytart23 · 14/12/2021 12:01

Why would you have to isolate from each other?

NerrSnerr · 14/12/2021 12:13

Why would you need to isolate from each other? That makes no sense?

I know you didn't want opinions but please just think whether it's a good idea to make your 10 year old have to isolate from her family? As a parent you need to safeguard mental health as well as physical.

Mumdiva99 · 14/12/2021 12:16

@santasmuma

Please for the love of some donkey don't waste a 111 call on this.
Oh that's my favourite phrase this week.....I shall try to remember it and reuse it!!!

To the OP of course you don't need to isolate from each other. No official guidance needed.

snowdropsandcrocuses · 14/12/2021 12:29

I thought I had seen it all on mn. Of course you don't need to isolate from each other. You're her parent! You need to be there for her. I'm actually staggered that you made her self isolate by herself at ten years old. I dont know if I could even have done that but either way, now you're positive as well you do not need to continue doing so.

RedToothBrush · 14/12/2021 12:32

Its fucked up making a 10 year old isolate in the way you suggest. Many families don't have houses big enough to do that in the first place.

Seriously go and give your child a hug.

winteranimal · 14/12/2021 12:36

I think you're having a hard time here, OP. I certainly remember things in the media at the start of all of this about the viral load of infected people being higher, and getting sicker, it they were in larger families and everyone had it. I can't really remember the ins and outs but it was definitely discussed. I personally wouldn't isolate from my children, however, if we all had Covid but we are young and don't have any underlying conditions that would cause us to be extra cautious.

sirfredfredgeorge · 14/12/2021 12:38

There's no requirement to isolate from your household when only one of you has covid either, certainly no requirement when you are both positive.

Please spend time together!

User2638483 · 14/12/2021 12:40

Agree this is common sense please do not phone 111 and please DO have close contact with your poor dd when she is feeling ill!

Delatron · 14/12/2021 12:45

Yes didn’t isolate from 11 year old when he had Covid. I didn’t get it.

He needed the company. I don’t agree with isolating children from their family. But that caused a big row on here last time I said it.

santasmuma · 14/12/2021 12:46

think you're having a hard time here, OP. I certainly remember things in the media at the start of all of this about the viral load of infected people being higher, and getting sicker, it they were in larger families and everyone had it. I can't really remember the ins and outs but it was definitely discussed.

It may have been discussed but it was never advice or guidance.

gogohm · 14/12/2021 12:48

No you don't have to isolate within your home even if only one person has it, that's your choice.

Swipe left for the next trending thread