too scared to post this in AIBU!

[maybebaby23]

Hi ladies.

Hoping someone can help me stop worrying about this! Im sorry its in the wrong place..

Im 32+5 and work as a carer for the elderley. Last night i went to visit one of my ladies and found that she had been diagnosed with a chest infection yesterday. I spoke to DF about it when i got home and he said i should ask work to cover that call for me as we are both worried about me catching it! In my recent risk assessment we agreed that my calls would be covered if any of them were poorly. So i rang to ask them and they were a bit off with me about it! I thought they would understand but she just went quiet and asked how long i want it covered for...so i wobbled a bit and said i dont know just until she is better! So now i dont know whats going on, wether they are annoyed at me or how long they will cover it for me

Am i in the wrong here, over reacting or something? I need some oppinions before they call me back..

Is it acceptable to ask for someone else who is not pregnant to visit that ill lady or am i being silly?

Thanks for reading.

You are definitely not being unreasonable.

With the amount of germs going around at the moment, and the very little we can do when we do fall ill, I don't blame you for a second.

My Fil had a chest infection when we last visited him, he was cuddling and kissing the DDs when I realised he was ill. I grabbed the DDs and left there and then. How selfish of him! He really was off with me as we were leaving, took the mick and all, but I don't care. It's my and my kids' health.

How would they like it if you caught whatever germs the old lady had, and they had to cover you for the rest of your pregnancy instead of a couple of weeks or so?

Well, you can't catch a chest infection but could catch the virus that may have caused it (if it is indeed viral at all).

You are exposed to hundreds of viruses all the time unless you live in the wardrobe and to be honest this poor old dear is more at risk than you in your condition. Does it matter that much if you get a cold while pregnant?

You are being overly risk averse in my opinion and your employers probably feel the same.

Sorry, but I think you need to be realistic about this and continue to work as normal unless there is some God awful illness known to be affecting one of the people you care for.

Has the lady a chest infection, or swine flu? as if it's just an infection, then yes, I do this you're being a wee bit paranoid.. For what it's worth, you're more likely to catch a million more things from your own damn delightful children.. I got swine flu off DS1 last week, luckily it was just manifested as a cough, ( we both tested positive, so it was actually SF, and I am 36 weeks preggers)but still, you cant protect yourself from everything. When was that last work risk assessment, and was the parameters of 'poorly' defined to include colds etc, or was it made to mean other, more serious illnesses? If they agreed to cover all your calls, then it's their bad luck, not yours.

Thanks for replying ladies. Tomate i can understand why you reacted the way you did when FIL was cuddling your DC's while ill!!

I know i could catch anything at any time but i just feel if i can avoid illness then i should. I mean, i know she is ill so i was thinking it makes sense to avoid her. I can't avoid my DD or DF if they catch anything so that doesn't really worry me..nothing i can do as i live with them!

It doesn't matter that much if i get a cold whilst pregnant but i don't fancy a chest infection or nasty virus. Ive only just got over one!

Im glad your swine flu was mild lux! I don't know if the lady has it or not, they just told me chest infection. The last risk assessment was 23rd oct and she just wrote that if any of my clients are "poorly" they will be covered no problem.

chest infections are usually bacterial..secondary to a viral infection such as cold etc so realistically you are not at risk..unless it was viral pnuemonia which it probably isnt because an elderly patient would be hospitilised.
Try not to worry and be extra vigilant with hand gel etc..I work with children and am 15 weeks preg and Im forever having them cough in my face

you can't catch a chest infection, i am a bit shocked you would snatch your children away from FIL .. children are exposed to germs and virsuses constanly

to the OP, perhaps you shoul dget signed off until you would have gone on mat leave, you are going to be exposed to lots more germs

Thanks for replies..i don't think i should be signed off until i start mat leave i know im exposed to loads of germs as everyone is and i don't go around paranoid about catching anything and everything, i just thought it would be better to avoid someone who has actually been diagnosed with something iykwim? Ah well i know im a worrier and prob over reacted. Thanks for your opinions.

Luxmum - what was your cough like? Was it quite bad, were you coughing your lungs out, almost puking sometimes, and did it last for ages...? I had this and was just wondering if maybe I had swine flu too.

Sorry off topic...

Don't think you're over reacting as it depends on the person. I'm 16wks and I've caught three colds so far and because of this I have been off work 8 days as they have resulted in a chest infection. It depends on the person and I've actually been told by my work to try and stay away from people with colds and to let them know as soon as I feel unwell!

Thanks trying4baby1. Sorry to hear you have had 3 colds up to now!
Turns out that work did understand and covered my job for the rest of the week woman i spoke to about getting it covered must have been having a bad day or something! I know i did the right thing now