Is any one feeling anxious? I know it’s stupid, but so much about it on tv. I know I should just make the most of each day! Just wanted to share with you all!
Coronovirus: Is any one feeling anxious... - British Heart Fou...
Coronovirus
Written by
marigoldb
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86 Replies
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I find it unnerving that the W.H.O predicted the coronavirus ( disease x) many moons ago. In reflection, I do think by the time a vaccine is developed many more people will be affected by it especially after the summer holidays get into full steam. I think it is also important to note that some 40k people have contracted & recovered from it to date which is not highlighted so much in the sensationalised media.
I am. I know I'd be unlikely to catch it but if i did I'd probably die. I had an appt in southampton hospital on friday, big place, lots of people, i was concerned
MichaelJHHeart Star
In the very small percentage that die death is usually caused by pneumonia. The problem is that it is usually viral pneumonia that does not respond to antibiotics so can only be treated by high quality nursing care and rapid response to any complication. In the MERS-CoV outbreak on the Arabian Peninsula in 2012 there was some indications that statins by reducing inflammation offered a degree of protection against the progression to pneumonia.
• in reply toMichaelJH
There’s another can of worms......the prevalence of anti- microbial resistance.
Here is one reference:
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...
That's good to know, but I'm sure the anti brigade will be on to you!
But we have our lightsabers to fight these dark forces! 🚀
In the nearly 2 winters since I retired, I've had one cold - only a tiny one that only lasted a couple of days then gave up.
When I was working I used to get several colds a year, and not just in the winter, at least one of which would be a right horror that would drag me down for weeks.
So I'm feeling a bit less apprehensive about Coronovirus now I'm not working in a massive open plan office where too many people insisted on being martyrs and dragging themselves into work saying "I feel rubbish, but have too much to do to be off"
I think the motto is avoid large crowds 😊
Like you I have not had colds since leaving work 3 years ago. Agree avoid crowds. I have appointment up at Guys Hospital next Wednesday. Think if I postpone it, the little hidden virus may be very active in many areas!
Decided to buy first class rail tickets, I know it may see a bit extreme, but with appt 2.15 we, my daughter coming with me, will probably catch the rush hour for home journey. Journey just over an hour.
By the way had Achilles’ tendon tear, 6 weeks post heart surgery, and though going to urgent treatment centre it was missed, picked up on scan eventually 3 months after event! Apparently post op I was on Ciprfloxacin for an infection and that has a risk of tendon tear!Going to Guys for second opinion, re treatment.
After successful heart op, haven’t been able to do cardio rehab, just hobble at present! Was hoping to rehome a small rescue dog too, oh well dream on, at least I have a mended heart, so grateful for that.
• in reply tomarigoldb
Yes all the fluroquinones are known for that. I walked about very carefully after taking 2 of these antibiotics!
And the little rescue dog will still be waiting for you, and every bit as loving and grateful, when you're ready
I work in a very large open plan office with air conditioning. The lady I sit next to & lunch with, is flying into Pisa in less than 2 weeks!! I've asked for my work station to be encased in perspex, floor to ceiling, and for nobody to come within sneezing distance of me!! And as a double whammy, we're dog sitting for a friend who's been in Singapore since the end of January, his hotel had one of the first confirmed cases! Eek 🧤 😳
Coronavirus is not new and has been around in animals for a long time. Now because of Chinese eating habits it has crossed the barrier to humans. Our monkeys cousins have suffered from it for many years.
From a friend in America :
It has been announced that a horse in North America has tested positive for a Coronavirus.
According to information provided by the Equine Disease Communication Center, a veterinarian recently tended to a Saddlebred cross in Maricopa County, Arizona, and it was confirmed on Thursday, February 13 that the five-year-old tested positive for a Coronavirus.
The EDCC states that the onset of clinical signs of the virus were detected on Sunday, February 9. The clinical signs include anorexia, fever and laying down. The EDCC reported the positive on Tuesday, February 18.
According to the EDCC, a quarantine is currently not in place and the five other equine are currently exposed to the gelding in question.
The EDCC describes the gelding as currently ‘recovering’ and states that the positive ‘appears to be an isolated case.’
The equine coronavirus is not the Wuhan coronavirus affecting people and the equine coronavirus cannot be transmitted to people.
For more information on the equine coronavirus, please refer to the fact sheet from the American Association of Equine Practitioners.
***************************************************************************
Was this coronavirus ? I always maintained it was horse flu 
In 1960 at Kelso races a horse called Queen of the Border coughed on me and I got a fever of unknown origin and had six weeks in hospital.
Then they did not have a winner's enclosure the horses just stood in marked positions against a wall and you could get close to them. Queen of the Border had been third and as I stood in front of her she coughed on me.
On the Sunday morning my wife was working. When I got up I felt a bit hot. I go and get the papers and feel worse as I walk home. Our flat was on the third floor and it started to get difficult going up the steps and I ended up crawling up them. I go to bed and sweat starts to pour off me and I feel generally bad. By next morning I am even worse and becoming delirious with my temperature at the top of the scale. Doctor comes and thinks Polio, meningitis.... He contacts the City Fever hospital and a consultant from there comes to see me. He sent for ambulance and off I go to the City hospital. Blood tests etc. show nothing and my fever rages but eventually goes down but keeps on going back up. Every time it goes up they take more blood. Some doctors from Africa are visiting for a conference... they come and question and examine me and talk of strange fevers. They ask when I was last in Africa.... Never. Eventually I start to get better and they say 'fever of unknown origin' I ask to go home, they say wait a few days more... I say tomorrow is Grand National Day and I have Wyndburgh EW at 20/1 and 6/1 to complete the course. He had been placed three times before and had been unlucky one time with the race sewn up when a stirrup broke. They let me home on the Saturday morning ...... Wyndburgh fell.
I think the moral of that story is gambling is not good for you!! I hope you fully recovered, sounds very scary
Fully recovered and three months later my wife was pregnant
Then you were a winner after all ☺
Oh I'm sorry you were so ill after the horse coughed on you but I'm laughing my head off that he fell ..... shame on me lol. If it makes you feel better I got ill when my boss coughed on me years ago when I was making him coffee. I got his flu. 😷
My earliest memory is an accident I had when I was 2 years and 4 months. I also remember when in hospital a maid used to pay me a lot of attention. She had diphtheria and I became a carrier of it and gave it to my mother. I was put in an ambulance that stopped outside our house and my mother was brought in on a stretcher and off we went to the fever hospital and I was put in the next bed to her in the ladies ward.. I was then sent back to the first hospital and came out on Coronation Day 1937.
We drove along Princes Street in Edinburgh that was decorated and had flags up with crowds lining the street. I was told that all this was for me coming out of hospital !
I've never again had such a reception.
Aw bless ..... I'm all teary eyed seeing the scene through the eyes of a toddler or not much older than one. What a memory! Very sorry your poor Mum caught the dreaded diphtheria. I hope she recovered? Memories eh? X
My mother was a survivor and lived to 92.
She got over colon cancer in her mid 60's and had a kidney removed when she was 82 . Unfortunately the anaesthetic for the kidney operation practically destroyed her memory and she could no longer care for herself and had to go into a retirement home. She was the only one there who did not have other illnesses and was not on any medications . She broke her hip at 92 and the operation was not a success and had to be redone and that proved too much for her.
What a survivor your Mum was.... incredible really. Very sad though her memory was lost. Poor woman . 💐
She had postponed the operation for three months as she was going on her own to Canada to visit relatives in Toronto and Edmonton. We spoke to her on the phone when she came back and was full of it. She said she would tell us all about it when we went up to Scotland to look after her after the operation.
We never heard much about it and when looking at her holiday pictures she did not know where or who was in them. I heard about it years later when we visited her cousin in Canada. When I told her cousin that we had been to the 3D cinema and I'd fallen down the steps in the dark she laughed and said my mother had done that as well.
I'm glad she had a wonderful time in Canada even though she sadly wasn't able to retain the memories . She was some woman your Mum. You must be proud.
She had looked after my father for many years as he had Parkinson's disease and died when he was 63 in 1963. She died in 1998
I needed to get a passport picture taken just after coming out of hospital and looked really terrible in it and had to carry it around for the next ten years as a reminder.
😂😂😂
Actually the one taken when I was 80 is even worse
I believe you 😂😂😂
He offered to take it again but I said I'm not going anywhere it is just to satisfy banks and people who ask for I.D.
Strange story about money. She used to go with a neighbour to collect their pensions. Neighbour said she has not been to collect it for three months I don't know what she's living on. Can you take her there. I did but before going looked around the house for money and found £600 in new £10 notes. She denied all knowledge of them.
Maybe there was a good fairy leaving £10 notes to make sure she had money. 💰 seriously she must have been collecting her pension and just forgetting she had done so???
They were all ne notes in consecutive order and her pension had not been collected until I took her to the post Office.
How strange! Maybe there is a good fairy after all. 👼
Perhaps a séance but would her spirit remember ? At one time she looked after a bank book for her brother who had some money that he did not want his wife to know about. It was not around and I checked with TSB who said that all his accounts had been closed after his death.
I had power of attorney for her and had her bank books.
She didn't go to the Bingo either nor the betting shop though my first racing memory was Blue Peter winning the 1939 Derby and her kneeling on an armchair with her ear up against the radio getting very exited as it won. What's that I asked. Gambling she said, It's bad, very bad. How could something bad be so exiting ?
Lmao.... love it! 😂😂😂
Yes, I'm somewhat concerned as we are more 'at risk' but trying to keep my concern in proportion. The vast majority of people, even those with underlying conditions, make a full recovery. I guess my main concern is not that the virus will kill but that it might result in a serious set back on the heart failure front 😕
I wonder if there are any alternative remedies that would help ease symptoms if we caught it like manuaka honey mixed with turmeric, zinc C lozenges and thyme which can soothe coughs etc. Worth a try and nothing to lose ❤
Sounds good or lots fresh grated ginger in black tea
Yes that's true. Cinnamon is good also
The media love things like this and prefer to cause panic rather than educate.
With the greatest respects, what is the point in worrying? If we all do as much as we can to stay clean and uninfected, what more can one do? I would be very concerned if I did succumb to the virus, however the NHS got me through open heart surgery and believe they would again do what was required to give me a chance of survival. There is no point (for me) in making myself miserable with worry, it will do no one any good what so ever.
Remain positive and continue to enjoy life to its fullest but remain vigilant to risks
Keep washing our hands😊
And use paper towels or wash your towels daily......
marigoldb• in reply to
Ticking-ticker, your comments, just what I needed to pull me up a bit! Thanks, and may your ticker go on ticking for a very long time.
By the way, is your photo of you in naval uniform from what year? My husband was in the Royal Navy doing national service. He loved it
• in reply tomarigoldb
Yes it is - that was Sept/Oct 1969 - Nice to hear from you and thank you for the comments
Yes I am feeling nervous at the speed of the spread. And with the advice to self isolate if we do contract the virus does this mean we wont have access to medical care .... for us vulnerable cases?
I am also due to go on a cruise at the end of april... only round Spain and France ( I had to cancel my last cruise due to complications re my heart at the time) and will be gutted if I have to cancel again.
I feel like .... just go for it and live life.
Yes, I am very worried about the rate of spread of this virus too. The predictions of the vast numbers of people who could become infected are scary. I also read that the NHS will prioritise to treat healthier people before patients with underlying conditions, based on likelihood of recovery and no doubt QALY assessments. I think this frightens me more than anything because with my myriad of underlying diseases I would be at the back of the queue for any treatment at all.
We are due to go to Lanzarote for a week but are dithering about it because although Lanzarote is free from the virus (so far) the fact that you have to go on an airplane, with the air recirculated carrying God knows what bothers us, as does mixing with people in the airport terminal. Rationally, I feel that travelling from Liverpool airport is better than Manchester and that it is unlikely that there will be passengers with coronavirus who are so quickly in the airport to start another trip. Having said that, one moment I think it should be fine and then the worry kicks in and I want to back out. It was an expensive holiday though, which is another (small) consideration, plus I am desperate for some sun and warmth!I was supposed to be going on a Place in the Sun with my sister at the end of January but 2 days before we were due to travel, I ended up in hospital with pneumonia that caused my heart to go into AF (a new one for me...normally just plain old heart failure!) so that was disappointing and now this. I am beginning to think Lanzarote and me aren’t meant to be!!!
I will take disinfectant wipes to clean the tray table and any handles/surfaces on the plane if we do end up going though!
I feel exactly same,also going to Lanzarote next month and if not nervous as it is (first time flyer ) with this all going on I'm even more nervous.
All I'm doing is only going out to shops late in the day - after 7pm, and avoiding Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday. Going to a till to pay which is empty and preferably a self service till. Going out for a long walk in late evening so there is less chance of meeting people.
Very difficult where a number of people live together and may bring the virus home with them. How can a person self isolate when living with other people who are not self isolating. A neighbour works through an agency and is only paid if he turns up for work and has admitted he would not self isolate.
To a degree it is everyone for themselves. I've told friends and relatives not to visit. Basically, if the disease comes my way I'm dead for sure. OK for them as most are healthy individuals.
I have bought masks and wear them. Especially to be worn in hospitals and doctor's surgeries.
In theory it should be only sick people wearing masks to keep the illness away from others. However, everyone wearing a mask is the more sensible way. Remember the virus might be on your mask on arriving home and it lives up to 2 hours away from the human body.
Someone politely kissing you goodbye on leaving. Might be literally doing that.
Try getting a snood which you can pull up over your nose if you wish, or a scarf you can snuggle down into and try and avoid crowds. If you are working ask your employer for a copy of their policy for dealing with infectious diseases, or mention it to your union rep, if you have one. Consider using a nasal spray?
If you really want to have a good laugh ask what is going to be done to clean the air conditioning filters and remove any infections from them. Filters? What Filters....? Elf and safety? Err ..You can't open the windows, etc, etc.
I am absolutely sick of the media causing utter panic. Yes it's nasty, yes some people have died and it is spreading quickly because people are not taking care but for healthy people it's no more than a bad cold. As with any kind of flu it will affect those who are previously unwell more than others but, to read papers saying that the elderly wil not be treated by the NHS and everyone over 60 should self isolate and not go into shops or busy places is utterly ridiculous. Everyone needs to take care, use regular hand washing and ideally wear gloves when out which go straight into a hot wash on return; not touch faces with possibly contaminated hands and not throw away used tissues. It's normal careful hygiene. If it gets me, it gets me. I would not be choosing a holiday in Italy for instance or visiting packed events like Crufts or football matches. Common sense.
BINGO!
I don't play BIngo LOL
You should, you defo have a winner there in your comment. Very common sense and we need a heaping dose of it. Blimey, I read the comments across the media article feeds and don't know if I should laugh or cry or a bit of both. It's a novel virus, not the second Black Death, for goodness sake. Yes it might become worse but right now it looks as though it's really only 'dangerous' to er, well, older people with 'pre-existing conditions' and people with pre-existing conditions of any age.
Am I concerned, yes, a little - but my standard daily hygiene habits should suffice to keep the 'deadly virus' out of my body and my home. And btw I am SO sick of reading 'deadly virus' on every article!
Panic is not an option. Prudence, yes, panic, NO.
Best of luck with that - I have 5 underlying conditions and like everyone else no immunity, fine if that's how you deal with it. But people are complex and taking the mickey out them is unhelpful. Some of us prefer to rely on medics with degrees and years of training.
Who's taking the mickey? Certainly not me. Just saying that protection is common sense. I also have underlying conditions that would seriously affect my chances but even the health authority has said the only things that can be done are pure common sense, hygeine and avoiding crowds and praying no one brings it home to you. I can rarely leave the house but however much care I take, anyone could bring it here; my milkman, my cleaner, carers, husband , my shopping delivery.
I think perhaps you need to go back to the top of the thread Qualipop is commenting in so you have a better feel for the context and read completely through to the bottom. We were discussing the over-the-top'ness, for example, (from one of my comments) the constant 'deadly disease' phrasing every newsfeed is using.
SARS-CoV-2/Covid-19 is novel so the scientists and medics are doing what is likely best described as 'on-the-job-training'; it can be deadly for some people but the incitement to panic is worrying.
I too have multiple heart conditions and am concerned - Qualipop's comments didn't upset me - none of those comments were 'taking the mick' and I hope once you read the entire thread you'll see where we were coming from.
Over the top for you but not for everyone
Ok, well, we're going to have to respectfully agree to disagree (as to yes/no there is some hype that might lead to panic).
FTR, I completely understand and share feeling concern at this thing.
Here in the States it’s over the top dooms day if you turn on the TV or read any newspaper. For us it’s an election year which then leads to finger pointing and more turmoil.
As I look back on my 70 years I wonder how many “pandemics” I actually lived through and didn’t even realize it? I was actually shocked to know in 2019 60,000 people in the States died of the flu. No statistics have been released on how many folks have died from pneumonia, car accidents or shot gun wounds. I do know more people will likely die in a Chicago this weekend at the hand of another human being then will die from the Coronavirus.
Once you survive a HA you begin to take charge of your health and your life. Taking your meds, exercising, eating better, washing your hands, avoiding crowds during the flu season and moving away from the sneezer/cougher all become second nature.
I had a moment this morning at the irony of it all. In California 2 cases have been identified and patients hospitalized. On Page One of the morning newspaper its an entire page devoted to panic and mayhem. On Page Two it’s a protest of 2,000 people marching through China Town claiming racism profiling with the virus. On Page Three it’s a political rally of 15,000 people gathered in a stadium last night and in the Sports Section 30,000 people at an NBA basketball game.
Looking at how the world and media handled the Spanish Flu in 1918, I think we're better off knowing too much than too little. It started during The War, and everyone kept quiet so as not to break morale - and I think that played a huge part in how the disease spread around the world and managed to kill over 50 million people in just a couple of years.
Of course, this is 2020, and we all know by now that misinformation is probably the worst thing for us. So, be careful what you read into.
Honestly, yes. Post 4 MIs, my heart and immune system aren't as strong as they once were. I take a severe beating just from colds, and luckily haven't had flu yet (my GP sends me a reminder text before every season to get my flu shot thankfully). But something like COVID-19 would probably be deadly. It mainly kills the elderly (as does regular flu), but I think us hearties need to be extra careful. I'm stocked up on hand sanitizer and Dettol wipes, and pumping myself full of vitamins to keep my immune system supported.
Swine flu ran from June to December.....
Lezzers• in reply to
Oh dear! Time will tell then
• in reply toLezzers
If you catch it and recover you will be immune though it is not known yet how long immunity lasts. Having been in hospital beginning of Nov after bypass (then in and out until the beginning of Jan)and contracting 'HA pneumonia' (what I was initially told). Then being told that tests had not confirmed pneumonia if in fact COVID is what I had....who knows. What concerns me more is how long do you continue to be a carrier...for some viruses you can be a carrier for months. After saying all of that I am not a great worrier but an avid researcher so will take all sensible precautions and of course wait for the emergency measures that are apparently going to be announced in the UK this week.
Lezzers• in reply to
I don't think the immunity lasts very long, there's already been a case of re-infection in Japan!!
Apart from HF I have Asthma, T2 Diabetes, Prostate Cancer ( Radiationtherapy) and I am 77 so I guess I should be worried! I am, and I am taking every precaution I can, I the event that I contract Covid-19 I am confident that the NHS will save the youngsters first, so I had best not get it!
Keep in mind the piece I'm linking is dated 24 February:
the-scientist.com/news-opin...
And this one is dated 28 February:
Yes, I'm feeling a bit anxious as I have asthma. When I get a really bad cold it goes straight to my chest. Before I know it I'll have a chest infection. A tip for others ever since my last severe chest infection I have been taking one vitamin D tablet daily. Its been a whole year since last ill. I'm still concerned as I had pnuemonia a few years ago. We must all be vigilant & keep washing our hands!
I disagree with the way you put your opinion, Sorry if I offended you
If you mean my comment, no worries, I'm not offended. I don't know how I could have phrased anything differently but I am sorry I disturbed you as it was not my intention to upset anyone.
These are worrying times for all of us. Some of the plan released today is reassuring, some of it not so reassuring.
It was the original topic not yours, I work with are mainly vulnerable and older people who are very worried - so perhaps I am oversensitive ....
Ah, thank-you for clarifying. I'm 'older' (63) and 'vulnerable' although not as vulnerable as many others here on the forum and this thing has me worried. I'm taking precautions (strict good hygiene, food and supplies to last a month, avoiding crowds and the 'more-unwell-than-I-am'), I think all but the foolishly complacent are doing the same.
It must be difficult to see the worry this is causing the people you work with, hopefully they have the help they need to put what precautions they can take into place. Not everyone has a good strong support network, sadly, even with good quality carers and agencies doing their best. I don't think you're being over-sensitive at all, in fact I think it's lovely you are sensitive to the concerns.
I'm sure that there is no need to worry because Matt Hancock and our hidden PM have said the situation is under control...*cue hysterical laughter*
Seriously though, most of us will touch surfaces like supermarket self service terminals, ATMs, handle money and etc. We'll never know who's been touching them before us. A good rule is just don't touch your face; eyes, mouth or nose and wash hands with hot soapy water when you get home. Overuse of hand gels can dry out or damage skin allowing a route for infection, so use sparingly. Sneeze into your elbow and use tissues, discarding asap. Masks are a waste of time as who has been taught sterile protocols for changing them, plus they act as a barrier for large droplets only.
I chew raw garlic...it keeps every bugger away!
I think we should all be concerned, we all have heart issues which makes us vulnerable, every time we put on the news there are new cases. On a lighter note, I bought enough food to isolate myself, by the time my family called the food was gone, hey ho. Keep washing your hands and whilst doing so sing happy birthday twice.
Hi, I had MV and ASD repair 4 years ago and I understand your concern. I want to share with you what I do at present when I go out into crowded areas or shopping.
I have a small tin of Vaseline with Tea Tree oil mixed into the Vaseline - smear under nostrils. Tea tree is an antiseptic & hopefully keeps the virus away and the Vaseline keeps it in place. I have given these to my family and told my friends. I work in health and promote Wellbeing.
Hi everyone, the BHF has some information on coronavirus from our senior cardiac nurse: bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...
I hope this helps and if you do have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact our heart helpline on 0300 330 3311 or email hearthelpline@bhf.org.uk.
Well I think it’s scary for everyone but we can’t do anything except keep u with washing hands avoid crowds saying that I have an apt Tom at hosp which I’m afraid of the scan or Incase I catch something as some people cough and sneeze everywhere
I do hope your hospital appt went well. I have one tomorrow, which is just over an hours train journey away. My daughter is coming with me, so hope it’s there and return journey before the train is too crowded , I’ve actually bought first class tickets, so hopefully it will make it easier. Never done that before!!
So it’s like standing by the sea waiting for this big wave of virus to come and sweep over us. So hoping it won’t affect too many people. My eldest daughter and her husband have just cancelled their flight from Australia to here for a holiday. Sensible as they come via Singapore, but very disappointed.
I have a planned week with my youngest daughter to go to Menorca, in June. Oh well, I’m lucky to have a nice garden! If we can’t go.
Changing subject, the sun was really cheering today.
Sorry your daughter and her husband had to cancel. So disappointing for you💐
I'm going to Lanzarote next month wish me luck 1st time flyer so nervous enough as it is.
the tv shows Coronavirus most of the times which sets in panic but best thing is switch ur tv off don’t watch anything about Coronavirus except advice washing hands we are all scared but I have tried to stop watching news updates
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