Talk

Hi all,
Dr Harries is ready to go and will kick off shortly. Please do bear in mind we're all working remotely so it's possible that this chat won't be quite as rapid fire as previous ones because there will likely be a few challenges but of course we'll try to get through as many questions as we possibly can. Big thanks.

Thanks so much Dr Harries for your time and for the very clear answers and thanks to Mnetters for all the questions. Jenny and team have promised to try to send a few more answers over the next little while if they possibly can.

We're going to close the thread now but will re-open it to post up some more answers, hopefully later on today or early tomorrow.

Thanks
MNHQ

Hello - some more answers coming up to questions asked by @yulertula @bluesalmon @HotPenguin @LilyPond2 JoyBloggs from GN via @LaraGransnet @BiscuitBarrels and @dbih1969

Response from Dr Harries

Hello, a few of you have asked me about childbirth arrangements during this time. The NHS is asking the public to help protect patients and staff from coronavirus as far as possible by advising strict limits on visitors in most cases. I know that having someone with you during childbirth is very important though and it will usually be fine. You do need to check with your doctor or midwife nearer the time to make sure it is safe for the hospital and your baby.

We can’t predict precisely where we will be on the epidemic curve at the time your baby is due – that depends of course on us all making sure we keep washing our hands and protecting each other by sticking to the social distancing rules until advised otherwise. However, we will be moving some antenatal and other clinical services to virtual clinics. That will mean that even if there are some staff shortages caused by self-isolation, there should still be enough midwives and doctors in our maternity units to support women through their pregnancy and to take care of you when you are due to give birth.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has published some advice for pregnant women and their families which you may find helpful. There are some comments on these very questions.

Response from Dr Harries

A few of you have asked about whether it’s safe to handle books, post or groceries that haven’t been sanitised.

The virus can last in an active state a bit longer on hard surfaces than soft ones. This is why we suggest you particularly clean down things like door handles and other frequently touched objects more frequently than usual with your normal cleaning agents.

However it is practically quite difficult to keep cleaning everything all the time! So the important thing to do is to make sure you wash your own hands thoroughly, more frequently than usual for at least 20 seconds. The risk of transferring the virus is when you put dirty hands up to your face – your eyes, mouth and nose where it is easier for it to enter the body. Washing your hands and changing your habits of touching your face will keep you much safer.

Response from Dr Harries

Hello biscuitbarrels, I know this must be deeply concerning and I wish your family member well.

People undergoing active chemotherapy are particularly vulnerable to this virus because they will usually suppress your own immune system. These people have been asked to follow our shielding advice and stay at home for a period of at least 12 weeks. They will be contacted by their GP or specialist and provided with expert advice. But arrangements for planned cancer treatments should go ahead – if you do develop symptoms of coronavirus you should let your doctor know. This is outlined in the letter.

Cancer is a really difficult diagnosis to deal with and affects both your physical and mental health so make sure your family member also takes a look at the useful links in the letter they should receive which will direct them to some online resources to help them cope more generally.

Response from Dr Harries

There are a few different types of thermometer, digital ones are generally accurate and simple to use. You should take the temperature under the armpit for children under five.

The NHS has some advice here but make sure children aren’t hot from a bath or warm room, wrapped up in a blanket or wearing warm clothes. If they’ve just been running around that could also affect their temperature.