New to covid

[AllIeveknewonlyou]

I think this is the first time I've had it, not quite sure what to do.

I had a nosebleed when I did LFT yesterday and not sure test results were accurate. Slightly sore throat but no temperature or coughing.

I do have a stash of LFTs so will do testing again today, if positive should I go to person who is +ve and hole up for a few days? I feel a bit out of sync as so far as I'm aware I've never had it before and am a bit out of contact with protocol. Obviously hand washing etc but I'd feel daft wearing a face mask again

If you don’t want to spread it put on a mask when around other people. Don’t feel daft. It’s daft to have a virus that can kill old people and people being treated for cancer etc., and not to put on a mask. Take care of yourself. Hope you are better soon.

Best way to test is to swab your throat, inner cheek and a nostril. Preferably before you eat or drink anything. Also the newer variants don't show up as well on LFTs.

If you suspect COVID then assume it is, please wear a proper FFP2 mask if you have to go out, it's not silly, it's responsible. Ventilate your house as much as possible, this dilutes the levels of virus in the air and reduces risk to others and yourself. Also close toilet lid when you flush as virus particles in poo will be aerosolised, if you can avoid sharing a toilet that's best.

And remember mild illness still increases your risk of heart attack and stroke for months after so watch yourself, don't immediately return to strenuous exercise. Take care.

Thank you - actually my heart was a bit fluttery last week!

I live in work hospital house so there is not much I can do to avoid others. The only thing I can do is move to +ve person for the time being and I only have LFTs on me so not sure of accuracy.

May need to call 111 and ask for advice.

Much appreciated though. Feel unsure how to proceed.

OFGS stay in one room, have a rota for use of bathroom and kitchen. Open all the windows in the communal areas and yes wear a mask ! After 3 years.

Why do you need to call 111?

You have a virus. Drink lots, eat healthily, wear a mask when out. Avoid others if possible

No drama needed

That's a bit rude actually, I've never had it before and will have difficulty isolating myself as I don't have anyone to take care of food.

Do an online food order

If your LFT is positive them you've COVID. False positives are exceedingly unlikely, false negatives however are common.

There are some contradictions here as people have said LFTs might not be relevant to current strains but at the same time telling me not to seek medical advice.

Of course I know to wash thoroughly, ventilate and distance. I got a new mask recently which unfortunately has reindeer print on it (Xmas overflow stock) so shower soon, dettol spray, LFT but I don't actually feel ill. Oh bloody hell I don't know how long it takes to clear

Guidance is quite straightforward - stay away from others for 5 days, Go and stay with person who is also + if it doesn't involve public transport. Or else stay in your room with a rota for kitchen use and keep windows in kitchen and bathroom open.
Most people don't need any medical attention so I wouldn't call 111 with your symptoms
If you work in healthcare you may need a neg LFT before you can return to work, check with your manager.

I mostly felt fine but tested positive for 13 days. If you are still testing positive, you are still contagious, so at least keep masking till you test negative if you can't isolate that long.

Just seen a study from Singapore that shows that people infected with Omicron were more likely to have persistent aerosol shedding beyond 7 days. You most likely have a sub-variant of omicron so please bear that in mind.

Hope you continue feeling fine but do be aware of contagion risk.

You are a HCP and you are saying you don't know what to do....c'mon it's not rocket science in April 2020 it would have been understandable but now?

The official advice (gov.uk and nhs.uk) is linked at the top of every page on this topic and you should just read and follow that, it's pretty straightforward.

just do whatever you want, can’t believe anyone still tests.

Protocol is avoid others for 5 days.

You can't believe anyone tests? Why?

What do you mean “I live in work hospital house”?

God knows how many infectious people (and people who want to avoid infection) are not wearing masks because our brains unhelpfully produce the thought "but I'd feel daft wearing a face mask again".

Humans feel safer doing what the rest of the group is doing, but it doesn't mean it's always the right thing to do. You're allowed to do the obvious thing to protect other people when you're ill - you can be an influencer, you don't have to be one of the people who waits to see other people doing it first.

And if you haven't got a good (FFP2/3) mask, do everything you can to stay at home in a room by yourself while you're testing positive. I hope it doesn't last too long for you.