Advice re shielding

[Stormywater]

Hi, jus new to group. Am confused as to whether I should be shielding or not. Brief history, diagnosed approx 8 yrs with asthma at the time thought due to work, subsequently found other employment 2017, after about 8months in new job condition improved significantly and after visiting hospital asthma clinic monthly was taken off my symbicort "smart" regime and placed on bricanyl 0.5, 2 puffs in morning and taken if more required. Never been recalled since then, till Nov 19 when developed "chest infection" put on antibiotic plus steroids and also added in cleanil to take as well told by doctor this should have been issued when originally taken of symbicort? Anyhow never completely cleared and xmas 19 got severely worse and ended up in hospital on oxygen, antibiotics and steroids via iv, the put back on symbicort, released with steroids, end of Jan, still unwell given another course of steroids and told it could take a while to get under control, back on symbicort smart regime, eventually cleared up to enable me to return to work feb20,(had been working up til xmas when got wose) but Mar 18th, at start of situation in UK anybody who was in receipt of flu jab was advised by employer to self isolate, subsequently been furloughed along with other staff and since 20 mar have been shielding, staying in one room away from rest of family, husband doing shopping and still working shortened hours as still classed as essential services I his job. No letter received from gp so dont know if I should continue to shield completely. I had been clear for so long then xmas episode, sometimes I wonder was it really my asthma exacerbated or "something else"? At start I fitted criteria for shielding but its changed twice from then. Any advice would be appreciated as would give anything to go for a walk, as I live I small development in rural area.

[Poobah]

Given the number of steroid courses plus your hospitalisation within last year you may well be in the sheilding group. It's up to GPs now to ensure any patient missed by the original sweeps is now brought into the group and onto the relevant NHS records.

I believe that this is covered by a letter sent to GPs by the Chief Medical Officer on 23 March. Some GPS are denying all knowledge but check out the letter online and call your GP.

[Stormywater in reply to Poobah]

Many thanks, will keep trying g.p, had tried before posting and could never get thro. Not the best practice th.

[Carriejen]

I know it is the safest option, however, the shielding is actually optional even if you have a letter. If you feel you can go for a walk safely then go for a walk. There is no pint in flowing your mental health to suffer if there is something you can do to help. If you are rural and able to walk somewhere you're unlikely to bump into others as long as you try not to touch anything, wash hands/clothes as soon as you come home, don't touch your face you will likely be ok. Take care

[HayleySanna]

You do not need to shield. The only reason why you would shield is if your on biological therapies which you’ve not mentioned or long courses (months) of oral steroids in addition to your Symbicort- a week or 2 for an acute exacerbation of your asthma is fine and doesn’t qualify you to be shielded. You are obviously in the at risk group so apply super strict social distancing measures when you do go out for a walk. Hope that helps.

[Stormywater]

Many thanks for advice, much appreciated.