Covid positive?

[Smegs1978]

Hi all,

I was admitted to hospital last Thursday due to an asthma attack and I was swabbed for Covid. They started me on a new medication for my asthma (uniphyllin) which has given me awful heart palpitations. So I had to back to a and e today as my heart was beating at 170bpm.

When I got there they said my test I had done 6 days ago was positive. I’ve not really had many symptoms, a slight temp (37.7 and 37.9) that both went down with paracetamol, a slight headache and slight aches, so unsure whether these are covid symptoms or not.

I was in the shielding group but I’m unsure whether I now don’t need to shield as assume I will now be immune as I’ve tested positive.

How long after the test can I assume that what symptoms I had last week is all I’m going to get and when will I be safe to come out of shielding?

I’m a student nurse and wasn’t going to be able to do my next placement as I was in shielding group but assume I can now do my next placement if I’m symptom free.

[ChrissieMons]

I wouldn't assume immunity if I were you. By all means go back to work, as you are needed, but make really sure you take all the precautions you can.

[Tugun]

Hi,

I agree with ChrissieMons. Also initially people had to test negative before they were "out of the woods". Maybe, as so many are ill, they are not doing the follow up testing but it could takes a couple of weeks before you test negative. Initially they didn't let people out of the hospital unless they tested negative. Symptom free does not mean that you would test negative. One gentleman took three weeks. So look after yourself - keep warm, eat well. Still isolate.

[Poobah]

At this stage I think only a doctor should make the decision about your shielding or not. Too little is known about how long the contagious period lasts and you may pass on the virus.

And it's unknown how long before you are clear of potential symptoms.

Keep well.

[Jacoel]

You must talk to your manager. I dont think they know for sure that you do biuld up immunity. There are 2 spikes that they know of S and L. S is mild Covid 19 L is more virilunt. And you can get one or both. Dont think the uk is adavanced enough to know which you had.

[Cumfevan]

Hope you are feeling better!

In Ontario, health care workers / frontline medical staff requite two(2) negative tests confirmed before being allowed back to work. Don't know if its the same in UK.

As we don't have shielding letters here I don't know how that might affect your work. Definitely, check with your manager, doctor, public health authority?