Corona virus- Phantom symptoms

TheLodger

TheLodger

Well-known member
Over the last few days, i've been getting very mild symptoms of corona virus, a tight chest, the odd dry cough, and a higher temperature than normal- especially head area.

I am keen to help out in my local community, we've all seen the call for help from the council and NHS, I am in my late 50s and the wife is asthmatic and would love to think that I have had the virus and therefore likely to be immune to it again, for a short time anyway. Now we all have likely taken in more news that we usually do, I know I have, and I did the news quite a lot before we entered into this new world order.

What's the likelyhood of my mild symptoms being phantom and if I get out there to help but then get it and cause unbeknown problems to myself and more importantly my family?
 
I wouldn’t if I were you. You live with someone who is at risk if they were to contract it and whilst you may be immune from the virus if you’ve had it before that doesn’t stop you carrying it in to your home
 
Not everyone gets the full blown symptoms, you'd probably best self isolate for a couple of weeks.

I'm in a similar situation, albeit a bit older, I'd like to help but have a history of asthma, my wife having further underlying illnesses.

Our best role is to keep away from everybody. We're not being a burden in the medical teams and stopping the spread.
 
I would work on the principle that if you are in any doubt the best thing to do is to stay at home as advised. I get the desire to volunteer, but I think in your situation I'd see your wife and yourself staying out of hospital as being a positive contribution. Just think if someone who has the virus is helping and shopping for a few groups of isolated people then there is a serious risk that they are passing this on to shop workers, other shoppers and possibly a smaller risk that they pass it on to those they are helping.
There's got to be a lot of uncertainty as to how long this will go on for. If you and you wife have been symptom free for two weeks or more then I would presume you could volunteer after this period. There's a high probability that quite a few of those who've already volunteered may develop symptoms and so there's a call for more new volunteers. Having someone whose at higher risk in your household would make me cautious though.
Whatever you decide, stay safe & take care of each other.

p.s. I am not a medical professional this is my personal opinion based on my understanding of the guidelines. I guess if you do volunteer there will be a questionnaire to filter out those who may be at risk, and longer term testing too.
I also think it will be interesting when an antibody test is available, as it wouldn't surprise me if a lot of people are shocked to find they've had it but have only had mild symptoms.
 
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