Self isolating from work at school

[lgrenter]

Hi all! I am a 50 year old type 1 who has been diabetic since 11 years of age. I work as a primary school teacher. Decided that I should self isolate today as beginning to feel a bit ‘off’. Came home from work last night after running to catch a train and my chest felt tight and I had gained a tickly cough. Thought it was nothing at the time. Got up this morning still feeling the same, cough and tightness to chest. It feels weird though, do feel slightly less able to take huge breaths but my chest feels almost like a ‘panic attack/after a long run’ feeling. Am pretty convinced it’s nothing as working in a primary school we pick up everything. I’m normally pretty healthy, blood readings don’t vary that much, pressure always normal etc. Am now on advisement self isolating from today with the family. At the moment temperature is normal. Should I contact my GP/NHS right away to tell them or wait if any other symptoms start.? Just wish I could know if it was this virus or not and then I could get on with my life!

 

[Brunneria]

Have a look at the current guidance on the www.gov.uk website.

They give instructions on what to do, and how to self isolate, they also emphasise (it is more like a desperate plea) for people to restrict their use of the 111 phoneline to emergencies, and to use the online 111 information and details for queries that are not emergencies.

Sorry you are feeling rough, and I sincerely hope that it isn't the coronavirus, but at this stage, I would encourage you to use the non-emergency details.

 

[Jaylee]

Hi,

I feel you're doing the right thing. i appreciate the uncertainty on all this.
New territory for us all.
Just spent about 9 days sitting it out myself & that was just a common cold.
I personally didn't bother calling the NHS.

However,if it develops into difficulty breathing? That's another matter..

If it's any consolation? here's the story of a guy about our age dealing with the actual symptoms.
https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/diary-dad-coronavirus-day-day-3953592

Best wishes to you & your family.

 

[lgrenter]

I was actually reading that Leicester Mercury story yesterday. After the initial worry when I got up this morning my cough seems to have eased. Still no temp but chest still feels tightish. Not going to ring around quite yet as I don’t feel it warrants it at the moment. As you said jaylee, I think it will turn out as common cold etc but as I work with young children we seem to be told at the moment ANY symptoms we go off lol. Schools can’t officially close but I wonder if by staff all isolating it will happen anyway.

 

[Geordie_P]

This is a good, responsible attitude. I think you're probably safest for now staying at home and monitoring the situation carefully.
My (infant) kid had a fever and I was in two minds as to what to do: I just treated the fever symptoms and kept a really close watch on his temperature etc till it ran its course. If anything specifically 'coronal' had shown up, or if his temp had gone over 40C, I was ready to take action, but as long as it didn't, he seemed safer at home. It's probably similar in your case.

 

[NicoleC1971]

My bgs always tell me if I have a virus on board. How are yours?Note that stress can do the same so this may not be definitieve.
Hear that Leicester is far stricter on its PH measures than London.

 

[mouseee]

My head's not letting me in to school from today. T2 and not risky but kind of glad I dont get a choice.

 

[Josiemac]

Hi, my husband has type 1. If he has to stay at home for 12 weeks, Could someone be able to tell me if myself and my children have to stay at home too?
My kids are currently in school but they could potentially pick it up and pass it on to my husband.
We currently as a family have no symptoms but is it safe that the whole family stays at home for 12 weeks too???

 

[Fairygodmother]

I think it’s best to self isolate if you’re at all worried that the symptoms are similar to the C19 beast, after all, there are the rest of the staff, the parents and families of the children, their contacts, their responsibilities etc etc to consider as well. It’s a real clash of inherent desire to do your job well, and step up, and the fact that we can’t see ourselves as inhabiting a personal bubble right now.
I’m not panicking, I’m not saying you haven’t got a straight forward well-known bug, just trying to get my own head round it all.
I hope you feel better soon, and whatever it is doesn’t make you feel too poorly. Hug

 

[lgrenter]

My blood readings are normal today. I did have an unusual spike where I was at 15 through Sunday into the evening for no apparent reason. Even adjusted my insulin but was still high! Me deciding to isolate this morning may be a bit of a moot point at the moment, I have just heard that a few other schools in my area have had a meeting and staff that are seen to be in the at risk category have been sent home for 12 weeks! Will try to find out more and post later.

 

[lucylocket61]

https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/expected-to-go-to-work-still.172856/#post-2234267

latest info on this page.

 

[Robinredbreast]

I received an email this afternoon from the County council, regarding COVID-19. Apparently a number of school escorts did the run this morning, but then didn't do the afternoon run which caused a few problems as the children need to be picked up and transported home. So, they are having a management meeting this afternoon and we should all get an updated email around 5pm.

 

[Guna108]

Thanks for posting. I'm in school taking care of other keyworkers' children. Can't find a thermometer anywhere to check if I did get a fever, but am not sure if things that I would usually take as par for the course being a primary teacher could be symptoms of COVID-19 either. I hope everyone can keep safe and well.

 

[MollieB]

my chest felt tight and I had gained a tickly cough

I hope you are doing okay!!
If anyone has these symptoms in particular, contact your GP right away!!

 

[lgrenter]

I hope you are doing okay!!
If anyone has these symptoms in particular, contact your GP right away!!

All ok. Haven’t really presented any symptoms to know if I have had a mild case or not! My son had a high temp and cough about 2 weeks ago and about a week later I felt a bit off but tbh have no idea if it was anything.
Currently self isolating with my family, having home food deliveries (when we can get a slot!) as we have no one really available who can run around for us. I have always been healthy so fingers crossed will get through this ok.
Hope everything is going ok for everyone else x

 

[Brunneria]

I hope you are doing okay!!
If anyone has these symptoms in particular, contact your GP right away!!

current guidelines in the UK are to limit pressure on the NHS by not contacting doctors for coronavirus, and instead to take all coronavirus queries to the 111 service online
https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19

The phone 111 service should only be used if people feel the situation is bad enough to require immediate medical attention.
Apparently so many people have been ringing 111 that the urgent cases are having difficulty getting through.

 

[MollieB]

All ok. Haven’t really presented any symptoms to know if I have had a mild case or not! My son had a high temp and cough about 2 weeks ago and about a week later I felt a bit off but tbh have no idea if it was anything.
Currently self isolating with my family, having home food deliveries (when we can get a slot!) as we have no one really available who can run around for us. I have always been healthy so fingers crossed will get through this ok.
Hope everything is going ok for everyone else x

I'm so glad....when I first read your original post, I was worried. Your symptoms were red flags and this virus has been known to be be more difficult in diabetics. I was hoping you were doing okay!!

current guidelines in the UK are to limit pressure on the NHS by not contacting doctors for coronavirus, and instead to take all coronavirus queries to the 111 service online

Interesting....we haven't been having that issue here (at least in my state) with people overwhelming 911. We have "drive thru" testing set up at some locations but you usually need a doctor to order it. One of the big hospitals in our area has set up telemedicine to specifically deal with "seeing" people and ordering the test.

 

[lgrenter]

I'm so glad....when I first read your original post, I was worried. Your symptoms were red flags and this virus has been known to be be more difficult in diabetics. I was hoping you were doing okay!!



Interesting....we haven't been having that issue here (at least in my state) with people overwhelming 911. We have "drive thru" testing set up at some locations but you usually need a doctor to order it. One of the big hospitals in our area has set up telemedicine to specifically deal with "seeing" people and ordering the test.

Thanks for the concern Mollie x
All fine here and no cough or anything. Currently working from home as my LA and headteacher don’t want to put me in harms way. I will just be so glad in the future when a rest will be available to see if we have had a mild touch of this or not. I think that will make life return to normal for so many of us.