How long to self isolate after 10days

[jendur]

Hi everyone, thanks for all your support. Husbands ten day isolation period is up on Sunday, I wondered if anyone knows how long he might still be shedding the virus and if I should still continue isolating myself from him for a while? He has not had a particularly virulent form of the disease and is longing to get out, but willing to continue if I need him to. I haven't had any symptoms so far, but should I take precautions after Sunday? No vaccine yet on the horizon for me in the UK.

[CLLerinOz Administrator Volunteer]

I’m pleased he’s had only mild symptoms and is feeling better.

No doubt, someone from the UK will help you with information that’s more relevant to your circumstances. I’ll share what I know of our guidelines which may assist you.

We now have small enough case numbers for genomic sequencing to be done on all confirmed cases but that’s not happening in many places. If your husband isn’t aware of what variant he has, I’d be tempted to err on the side of caution and push the isolation out a bit longer. Anyway, according to our guidelines, you should quarantine for a minimum of 14 days after contact with him:

In Australia, a close contact of a confirmed case is required to quarantine for at least 14 days from their last contact with the person who has Covid. That includes anyone who has had close contact with a confirmed case in the 48 hours before that case experienced any symptoms. Leaving quarantine after 14 days then depends on whether or not they’ve developed symptoms and any associated test results.

In general terms, in Australia, a confirmed case who doesn’t have a new variant can leave isolation after at least ten days but exactly when that will be depends on how long they’ve been fever and symptom free. Cases with a newer variant must isolate at least 14 days here and go through additional testing hoops. There are also further terms that apply to people who are severely immunocompromised.

healthdirect.gov.au/coronav...

[jendur in reply to CLLerinOz]

We don't know the variant, but I'd assume it is the new UK one as it is the dominating one over here. The Oz guidelines seem to be stricter than ours and I am fairly convinced that we should go on for 14 days even if our government says 10 is only what is necessary. Thanks for the information.

[CLLerinOz Administrator Volunteer in reply to jendur]

Stay safe! Hope your husband is fully recovered soon.

[fapumpkin]

Maybe as you have done so well with your barrier control, you could possibly wait 14 days like CLLerinOz has suggested? I would still be careful about cleaning the room that your husband has been occupying and washing his clothes/bedding/towels, maybe if he has the energy he could take on that task. or maybe not? Hope the two of you get to go for a lovely walk soon. Really great to hear that you are safe.

[jendur in reply to fapumpkin]

Thanks fapumpkin, I think 14 days too. We'll sort his washing and look forward to getting out at last.... possibly on Thursday!

[SofiaDeo]

Here's the recommendation of the UK NHS:

nhs.uk/conditions/coronavir...

I guess it's 10 days after last symptom? Although 14 would def be better. I would if it were me. If he is feeling up to it, give him a spray bottle with soapy water (dish soap), a pile of sheets, and a pile of pillowcases, plus a garbage bag. He can put a fresh sheet down daily, (Just pop a sheet to, lie on, no full changes unless he's feeling OK) change pillowcase daily, spray whatever can be sprayed.....coronaviruses are inactivated by soaps. The idea is to stop self-reinfection if he's still potentially shedding. Open window, etc. to get fresh air circulating. Good Luck, glad he's on the mend!

[jendur in reply to SofiaDeo]

Thanks for the advice, definitively need to sort the washing he's down to his last pair of socks.

[JigFettler Volunteer]

14days... but its never 100% sure he will no longer be infectious. Ask your local Dr!. Advice varies.

[jendur in reply to JigFettler]

Asked my CLL nurse and GP both referred me to Gov guidelines!

[JigFettler Volunteer in reply to jendur]

Its like no one wants to take responsibility for an opinion or risk getting advice wrong. A symptom, me thinks, of many changes to advice and guidelines.

Jig

[claree_ford]

Hello, theoretically he should not be contagious ten days after first symptoms appear - or if no symptoms, ten days after a positive test. Like you I was deeply suspicious of this. My husband had to be admitted to hospital and caught Covid there. They said asymptomatic but though it was definitely mild for a 78 year old he seems to have symptoms to me.... they were happy to send him home four days later, unable to support his weight and contagious. My step son and son-in-law made it clear this was not acceptable and he came home on day 11 after his positive test. This was a week ago now. Every time I have coughed, had a headache or blown my nose I have been convinced..... But. I have not caught it. (Yet?). There is no possibility of keeping my distance from him.

So, hardly a true sample but for us the ten days does seem to have been right. (He is still very weak and not eating properly - and very sorry for himself!). I know I have another few days before I can be certain but we do seem to have got away with it so far.

Since he came home he has had two offers of vaccination which he can’t take up for another fortnight - I am still waiting but it will be soon!

Keep well and (try to?) keep sane...

Best wishes to you, Clare

[jendur in reply to claree_ford]

Hi Clare, thanks for your reply, I'm surprised they didn't test for Covid before letting your husband return home, especially if you are in the extremely vulnerable group. Hard that he caught it in Hospital ..so sorry. I know its so scary, I always felt that our house was safe and then suddenly its not although we have been so careful for the last 11 months. It really seems so random and down to luck. Also I was interested on your comment about the vaccine, are there restrictions about having it after being in contact with the virus? I was really hoping to get it in the next couple of weeks and don't want to have to delay it. You stay strong too and let us know how you get on. Best wishes to your husband for a speedy recovery.Jennie