If you have it, have had it, are pretty sure you have it, tell us about it?

[Edie]

We have a slightly complicated situation going on here.
My daughter has had daily headaches, which start from lunchtime to late afternoon and are then very difficult to shift - she's had them every day but one out of about 16 days.
My son came home from work yesterday with a bad headache (he will be working from home in any case from tomorrow).
I have the tight chested feeling, slight sore throat, a little uncomfortable around the ears, a slight headache, a little bit nauseous and the weird foggy head others have mentioned.
I'm 49, relatively fit, apart from smoking - work on my feet, walk a fair bit etc - very rarely suffer with anything that feels so distinctly in my lungs.

All feeling a bit more knackered - have all had odd days of conking out early etc - none of us have/have had a temperature, or anything like a continuous cough (little bit of coughing, plus sneezing).

I don't feel well but I don't feel awful and we have all been going to work/school.

My problem is that we appear to have some sort of drain/sewer issue (awful smells seeping up into the living room, far from any obvious exterior pipes/drains etc). This has been going on for a couple of weeks - about as long as my daughter's headaches - and I am currently frantically trying to get it sorted, while there is still a chance to do so ( ). That currently looks like Southern water hopefully coming tomorrow, after coming today when I was at work, to have a look at the main drains out the back - but the issue with that is that they're in the gardens of houses two doors down on one side and three doors down on another, so any work they can do (or exclude from being the issue - I'm becoming worried it's more likely to be a cracked pipe just because I can't really work out why the smell would be where it is, otherwise ) is totally dependent on both of those houses having people home (and not self-isolating etc) to let them in!

Until then, I'm just unable to know whether it's actually the house that's making us ill (in which case, we really need to be out of it as far as possible) or not, in which case I'd really be thinking about self-isolating, as a precautionary measure etc.

I'm getting a bit stressed about it all, just because the timing of the leak is so fucking awful, in terms of getting it resolved (wtf we do if it isn't resolved in time for any period of self-isolation, or lockdown, that will undoubtedly come up?!) but also being completely unable to distinguish what to do about it, in terms of our/others health, until it is! It's doing my head in!

All of our symptoms would easily fit with the (potentially serious and increasing) health risks from a sewage leak, but if they're not, we'd be better holed up here for a bit.

Urgh - just have to hope they do come tomorrow and can get access and that it's actually something easily fixable and then I can focus on what to do/make some proper decisions with some clarity!

Has actually been helpful to hear what symptoms other people are experiencing, whether it's covid related or not, cos I'm a bit less worried about us being slowly asphyxiated in our sleep instead, for the mo.

Have you got a carbon monoxide alarm babes?

 

[sheothebudworths]

Have you got a carbon monoxide alarm babes?

Yes, we've got TWO!

We actually had British Gas round last night - he said defo not a gas problem - that is sewage (he actually wrote 'strong sewage smell...' - honestly, it's full on - it's woken me up, even, the smell ). There are also no doors to the living room or the kitchen, so it drifts through the whole house and we only have our bedroom doors to close.
There's not much point in me stressing - I don't want to turn up at my friend's house cos she has her elderly mum in a care home - so I'm just praying it'll JUST be a blocked drain (even though that makes the least sense) and that they WILL happen to get access to those two houses, whenever they turn up, and then I can be more easily led about what's right to do (cos obvs it's how our health impacts on other people that's the bigger picture stuff).

 

[sim667]

I did 6 x 12 hour shifts the week before last and got a sore throat, and swollen glands. Had the Saturday and Sunday off, but on the Monday before my night shift felt flakey, until I’d downed a load of water and eaten loads of food. I carried on with the sore throat and slightly swollen glands and then went to bangface, where it’s all continued, but the sore throat calmed down and I’ve ended up now with a dry cough and been coughing so much my chest muscles hurt. No temperature or fever..... so I’m waiting to see if that kicks in, in which case i guess I’ve got it, and if not I guess I’m just under the weather.

Gonna decide if me and my girlfriend need to isolate tomorrow

 

[sheothebudworths]

I did 6 x 12 hour shifts the week before last and got a sore throat, and swollen glands. Had the Saturday and Sunday off, but on the Monday before my night shift felt flakey, until I’d downed a load of water and eaten loads of food. I carried on with the sore throat and slightly swollen glands and then went to bangface, where it’s all continued, but the sore throat calmed down and I’ve ended up now with a dry cough and been coughing so much my chest muscles hurt. No temperature or fever..... so I’m waiting to see if that kicks in, in which case i guess I’ve got it, and if not I guess I’m just under the weather.

Gonna decide if me and my girlfriend need to isolate tomorrow

The continuous cough on it's own is reason to isolate. It's very clear - that OR a temp are the sole two symptoms listed atm and it's essential in your job that you heed that, eh (essential for anyone, tbf, but ykwim)?!

 

[wayward bob]

stay safe sim667

 

[sim667]

The continuous cough on it's own is reason to isolate. It's very clear - that OR a temp are the sole two symptoms listed atm and it's essential in your job that you heed that, eh (essential for anyone, tbf, but ykwim)?!

I’ve got a GP appointment, I know the answer, but I just want to double check as the cough is a little bit productive (don’t worry it’s an online GP appt, not face to face). I also want some kind of record of that as advice in case there’s any problems at work as I have been on leave, and this will come on the last day of my leave if I have to self isolate.

Work policy is we are off for two weeks, so I’m trying to think of a way I can help out in any way I can as I feel like I’m letting my colleagues down. Maybe collections and get sweets etc delivered to the stations

 

[Chester Copperpot]

Had a cough for a week and tonight my temperature has skyrocketed. Spoken to 111 and I’m now self isolating for 14 days.

 

[Duncan2]

Reading this thread makes me think it really is a great pity that testing for COVID is fraught with such difficulties.I think I am right in saying that health professionals have suggested that, in the worst case, up to 80% of the UK population will get this thing over the coming eighteen months.It really is too bad that even when we get it and ,by virtue of getting it, acquire some immunity the anxious wait for infection continues simply because we do not know what it is that we have had.Not just an invisible foe then but an anonymous one?

 

[wayward bob]

thing is tho, with a following wind they'll be testing nhs workers to see if you've already had it, right? (or is that too trusting?) so self-isolation now could equate to availability closer to the dreaded peak?

eta: sim667 i'm thinking you're ambulance or did i get mixed up?

 

[Duncan2]

Not sure who you are replying to Bob but as for me I think its great if they test health professionals as a priority obvs. but I was wanting to suggest that it would be nice if all those on this thread who think they may have it or have had it whoever they might be could establish that one way or t'other.

 

[wayward bob]

sorry replying to sim, who's frontline iirc. it seems like they're really keen to get people back on-shift asap and that testing is swaying in that direction.

 

[sim667]

thing is tho, with a following wind they'll be testing nhs workers to see if you've already had it, right? (or is that too trusting?) so self-isolation now could equate to availability closer to the dreaded peak?

eta: sim667 i'm thinking you're ambulance or did i get mixed up?

Aye, I am.

It is possible to get reinfected, so isolation doesn’t necessarily mean more staff at the peak.

Also they can’t test for if you’ve had it, only if you’ve got it, so if they’re not testing currently, they’re not collating the data for later. It’s very short sighted.

 

[sim667]

sorry replying to sim, who's frontline iirc. it seems like they're really keen to get people back on-shift asap and that testing is swaying in that direction.

They’re not even testing staff who have been exposed to confirmed cases afaik

 

[Riklet]

Sorry to hear about the house nightmares sheo.

Everyone on this thread with any possible symptoms should most def be self-isolating. Better to be safe than sorry. It is definitely spreading and we must do our bit not to facilitate this by "soldiering on".

I believe the tight chest thing and any kind of dry cough is a strong warning sign. Stay at home!

No evidence of numerous reinfection cases from China btw, just a handful. Granted it may be very possible but there isnt extensive evidence of this. I am really hoping that in 5 days I am properly better....

 

[wayward bob]

Also they can’t test for if you’ve had it, only if you’ve got it...

that defo wasn't the impression they gave at the press conf. obvs is likely patent bullshit, just trying to sift one from t'other.

 

[Mr Retro]

I have a sore throat, mild headache and am much more sleepy than normal.

Been exactly the same today. No cough or temperature. Was able to work (from home) and concentrate easily, would probably not even think about it normally. Went to bed for an hour at lunchtime and slept which is a bit strange though.

 

[oryx]

Whatever I've got at the moment started directly in the chest. Just a cough for the first 24 hours but last night I woke up in a sweat and now the tiredness is creeping in. My lowerl chest feels like it's on fire but I still generally have more energy than the standard flu and I have no sneezes, runny nose or the other usual cold type systems just a horrible, burning, slightly flemmy lower lung/chest.

Don't want to alarm you, but I see you already think you might have CV - a lot of people on another forum I go on have been reporting the 'burning in chest' sensation, some having called 111 and been told to self-isolate. Some are getting better after a few days, others still in the thick of it.

Hope you (and everyone on here feeling ill) feel better soon and it doesn't get any worse.

 

[Looby]

that defo wasn't the impression they gave at the press conf. obvs is likely patent bullshit, just trying to sift one from t'other.

I thought they were developing something that can test if you’ve had it but they’re not there yet. Not sure though, I could have heard wrong.

 

[elbows]

I thought they were developing something that can test if you’ve had it but they’re not there yet. Not sure though, I could have heard wrong.

Serological tests that look for antibodies in your blood as evidence that you've had this virus in the past. As opposed to the swab tests that are looking for the virus itself.

Most of the tests we have heard about all over the world so far have been swab ones. Various serological ones have been developed or are in the process of being developed. They need to be verified, licensed and officially adopted by authorities in countries, and then produced in sufficient quantity, before we start to see a lot of data and strategies that need these come into play.

 

[8ball]

&sheothebudsworth - sorry you’re going through this shit - that ‘like’ wasn’t meant as a like - phone is being a twat - be well

Edit: correction - I’m being a twat who can’t type.

 

[8ball]

Have you got a carbon monoxide alarm babes?

And this. Was about to say this.

Thanks, Edie. X

 

[8ball]

Serological tests that look for antibodies in your blood as evidence that you've had this virus in the past. As opposed to the swab tests that are looking for the virus itself.

Most of the tests we have heard about all over the world so far have been swab ones. Various serological ones have been developed or are in the process of being developed. They need to be verified, licensed and officially adopted by authorities in countries, and then produced in sufficient quantity, before we start to see a lot of data and strategies that need these come into play.

Was talking to a micriobio dude in the pub earlier (yeah, I know) - he said the only test they’re doing right now is rPCR - is that right?

Edit - yeh, went to pub. Micropub with no old folks in there. Never thought I’d be pondering the moral ramifications of going to the fucking pub

 

[8ball]

Don't want to alarm you, but I see you already think you might have CV - a lot of people on another forum I go on have been reporting the 'burning in chest' sensation, some having called 111 and been told to self-isolate. Some are getting better after a few days, others still in the thick of it.

Hope you (and everyone on here feeling ill) feel better soon and it doesn't get any worse.

Fuck. i’ve had burning in the chest since that nasty bug 3 weeks back.

Figured it was just life telling me I’m too fat.

 

[elbows]

Was talking to a micriobio dude in the pub earlier (yeah, I know) - he said the only test they’re doing right now is rPCR - is that right?

RT PCR yes, thats the official one, where swabs are used to collect the samples before going through that process.

Other tests do exist, it may be possible to buy them from private clinics, but I doubt that officialdom currently recognises the results of them. In the UK the most I've heard about these was a passing mention in a Guardian article ‘There is a policy of surrender’: doctor on UK’s Covid-19 failures

Mark Gallagher, a consultant cardiologist, is at home with a temperature of 38 and is pretty certain he has Covid-19. But the NHS will not test him for it. Instead, he has paid for a test kit from a private UK clinic and a colleague in China is sending him another.

Actually there have also already been short pieces on tv news where companies developing tests talk about their work, but these are mostly framed as something for the future or currently only available on a small scale/not officially.

 

[8ball]

RT PCR yes, thats the official one, where swabs are used to collect the samples before going through that process.

Other tests do exist, it may be possible to buy them from private clinics, but I doubt that officialdom currently recognises the results of them. In the UK the most I've heard about these was a passing mention in a Guardian article ‘There is a policy of surrender’: doctor on UK’s Covid-19 failures



Actually there have also already been short pieces on tv news where companies developing tests talk about their work, but these are mostly framed as something for the future or currently only available on a small scale/not officially.

The guy had a ring of knowing his shit.

My time is mostly taken up with trying to keep the logistics of about 110 (last count) cancer trials from collapsing, but one colleague of mine is working on a trial for treating the worst effects of this mofo with an erstwhile arthritis drug - apparently they have some evidence that there may be an effect.

I hope so - it looks to me like treatments are going to come well before any serious vaccine.

 

[oryx]

Fuck. i’ve had burning in the chest since that nasty bug 3 weeks back.

Figured it was just life telling me I’m too fat.

Don't want to alarm anyone, just to flag up a common experience. It could be other things - just a normal chest infection. (So far ) I have only had mild viral chest infections so am as yet unfamiliar with this, but it could be this is a normal symptom of a slightly worse one and people are just noticing it more, IYSWIM.

Disclaimer - I am far from a medical expert!

ETA. Hope you're feeling better soon.

 

[8ball]

Don't want to alarm anyone, just to flag up a common experience. It could be other things - just a normal chest infection. (So far ) I have only had mild viral chest infections so am as yet unfamiliar with this, but it could be this is a normal symptom of a slightly worse one and people are just noticing it more, IYSWIM.

Disclaimer - I am far from a medical expert!

I agree totally. I had something that felt very like flu and something like heartburn with an assortment of abdominal pains following it. I think it’s a different virus.

 

[Steel Icarus]

Almost certain I've just got a cold - snotty as billy-o and throat is sore - no temperature and not much cough. Scared to go to bed though in case I wake up with it in my chest. Hate this feeling.

 

[8ball]

Almost certain I've just got a cold - snotty as billy-o and throat is sore - no temperature and not much cough. Scared to go to bed though in case I wake up with it in my chest. Hate this feeling.

From what I’ve read, sore throat isn’t part of the Big Bad deal, nor is snotiness. Generally speakinfg, and not a medic.

Best just try to relax and sleep it off, bud.

 

[oryx]

Almost certain I've just got a cold - snotty as billy-o and throat is sore - no temperature and not much cough. Scared to go to bed though in case I wake up with it in my chest. Hate this feeling.

I had something like this a few weeks ago and am as sure as I can be that it wasn't CV - I was fully expecting it to go to my chest, but it didn't.

The 'snotty as billy-o' reminded me that I was having to sleep with a tissue under my nose for several nights running. Sorry for TMI and especially if anyone is eating at this late hour.

I also had a sore throat and felt pretty ill, but it was just a normal cold.