Blood test

[Dreams2rememeber]

Got to go and have my monthly blood test this week due to my MethX. But I have been shielding for three weeks and am really nervous.

Do you think I will look silly going in with a mask and gloves.

Anyone else feeling this way???

[PMRpro]

Gloves really make little difference if you are being scrupulous about not touching your face except with washed hands and hand washing loads unless you use disposable gloves that you change carefully and dispose of repeatedly, after every action. Virus could be on the outside of the gloves and it is very easy to forget that - there was a picture on FB over the weekend showing why healthcare professionals raise their eyebrows: man standing with a shopping trolley, wearing gloves to protect himself - but holding a pack of crisps and eating them with the gloved hand!

Mask? Why not? The view on their value is changing although the greatest protective effect for you is for others - it prevents an infected person shedding as much virus rather than stopping it getting to you. Again, use once and then soapy wash before using it again if it is a fabric one, disposable ones are use once - and difficult to replace. Here in Italy we are now to wear some form of face covering when outside - and it will have to be made of an old t-shirt or cotton sheet for example, almost impossible to buy "proper" ones.

[svfarmer]

Not at all - I also went for my blood test last week due to Methx - must admit I did feel a really bit silly - I had mask and gloves on - my surgery were very good and other than the nurse who took my blood I came into contact with no one and she had mask, gloves and apron on also so felt at ease - you can never be too careful - best wishes Sam x

[honeybug]

Hi Dreams2remember

😊🌿🌸🦋

I’m sorry you’re feeling silly for wearing a mask and gloves

Ask yourself this...would you rather go without them so you won’t be embarrassed/feel silly and take the chance that you will catch covid19 and expose your loved ones to it too???

I’m across the pond in the USA 🇺🇸.

We are being ravaged by this plague.

I told several people months ago that this plague would be so deadly that we need to wear masks eye shields and gloves from the start.

I have a medical background. I have read in depth about how this plague ravages the body. I won’t tell you the details because they are too graphic.

Healthy people are suffering horrific deaths from this.

A 3 day old baby a 17 year old boy and every other age bracket are being hit so hard.

I know exactly how you feel about wearing the mask. I felt the same way too almost 45 years ago the first time I donned a mask for my deadly allergies.

I hate suffering from them and over time they progressed so I have to stack 3 of them at a time and wear them every time I go outside.

I don’t want to die from my allergies and especially this plague.

You literally suffocate to death from it.

PLEASE take this disease seriously.

It has no limitations no boundaries. It doesn’t care about gender age race or creed. It’s an equal opportunity killer and unless you do everything in your power to protect yourself it could claim you and your loved ones too.

DONT let it make you and your loved ones statistics.

This is No joke.

Take precautions be safe.

I just said a special prayer for you and yours.

EJ 😊🙏🤗🌿🌸🦋💗😘😇🕊

[Roarah in reply to honeybug]

Many of my friends( who are health care providers in a hotspot outside of NYC) have tested positive. Not a single one needed to even see a doctor after positive testing and half had not a single symptom before turning negative. Yes it is horrible but most of us will more than likely survive. Stay home when you can but skipping a blood test is likely a more immediate threat to our health than this virus, , wash hands and surfaces and do our part but anxiety increases antibodies and increased antibodies seem to be what is wreaking havoc on those who suffer worse disease from covid19.

[honeybug in reply to Roarah]

Thank you Roarah.

Very well said. 👏👏👏🙏😊🤗😘🌿🌸🦋😇🕊

[Rosyannieclaire]

My husband has lupus, I admire your bravery going with gloves and mask I am going to try to get a nurse to come to the house, I think it’s crazy, no immune system having to go to hospital.

[Roarah]

I agree no gloves. Unless you are a medical pro trained how to discard gloves they will spread more germs than not. Masks really prevent one from spreading more than prevent from getting. Wash your hands every time you touch something and use alcohol sanitizer before opening your car door.

I have had weekly blood tests for the last month during lockdown and I live in a hotspot, commuter area to NYC and I have not gotten infected. Try to relax and just be diligent about not touching your face at all and washing your hands after anything you touch. I have yet to use a mask but now my area wants us to to prevent us from spreading it. Good luck.

[tiredmum]

I am glad you have asked this question, I too am in the shield group and need to go for my monthly blood tests, my INR has also dropped very low (I am lucky enough to be able to self test at home) and needs confirming but I am reluctant to go to the local hospital to have my blood tests. If we are shielding for at least 3 months I suppose we are going to have to go at some point but I would rather wait until things start to die down before leaving the house otherwise it defeats the object of shielding.