How infectious am I??

We both had Covid in April. Fortunately we had plenty of supplies so no need to even bother the neighbours with a shopping list. We did spend a great deal of time in the garden but didn't have the energy to go for a walk.

I agree with volver that it’s so very wrong to describe the person who may or may not have given you covid as “irresponsible.” My DH and I babysat for our DD. She had an important appointment. The next morning I woke up feeling quite unwell and tested positive. It was that sudden and the same for DH 2 days later. Fortunately no one in my DDs house caught it. In no way we’re we irresponsible. Just trying to be supportive parents.

LovelyLady

No has one been in our home since the first outbreak. We take no chances.
Neither of us have had the virus.
We go out but test if we need to. For fresh air, that’s what windows are for. We’re fortunate and have a garden and use it. It’s been a very long couple of years being isolated but we’re not ill (thus far)
Just because we’re told we can go out, doesn’t mean we have to. This ‘go out’ guidance has been given by a government that’s lost its leader. Trust yourself.

I haven't had Covid either. I complied with lockdown restrictions to the letter, but apart from that, I've been out and occasionally had people in my house. I certainly haven't been living in fear and I can't say that my life has been restricted that much.

Nevertheless, I've worn decent FFP2 masks in enclosed spaces, conscientiously kept my distance in shops, etc and have tested whenever before people have been in my house and when I've been to anybody else. My vaccines are up-to-date, so I'm optimistic that I wouldn't be too badly affected, if I were to be infected.

I really don't understand this "fear" thing. The virus isn't some insidious monster which will creep under the door when you're asleep. It's airborne and the more people are infected in a local area and the closer and longer a person spends in others' company in an enclosed space, the higher the risk of being infected. It's a risk, so not inevitable and somebody who is more vulnerable is no more likely to be infected than anybody else, although the higher risk of serious illness might mean they want to be more careful. It really is as simple as that. A person could have an extremely high viral load, but go outside and stand in the middle of an empty field and wouldn't infect anybody.

I agree with volver. People aren't being irresponsible if they don't know they're infected. I have no idea how many people are asymptomatic. Going out for a walk, despite testing positive, is a very different situation from going into a crowded supermarket, unmasked, and not keeping one's distance from other shoppers.

My hubby who caught Covid for the first time at end of June stayed at home and isolated for 5 days.
He kept testing every few days after then and he was negative on Day 12 after testing positive
You can go out whenever but he chosr not to but after Day 5 if he went into any shops etc wore a mask

Just had a message from a colleague I gave a lift to last Wednesday that she has tested positive. I’m fine so far but we’re going away, so now what? Do I rush out masked and get a pack of tests or do I go away and hope?

Some very naive and unresearched advice on here. Fortunately most seem sensible!
It’s true that some people are “lucky” enough to have mild symptoms. It’s also true that many people are quite ill, moderately ill, seriously ill and dangerously ill.
Unfortunately, nobody know how each infection and different strains will affect them, their loved ones and their wider contacts.
I have several family members involved in health care - doctors, nurses etc. they have all despaired at the huge numbers of people who have invented their own reality regarding Covid.
From vaccines don’t help with symptoms, vaccines contain tracking devices to you can do what you want, when you want and there will be no consequences for anyone!!
Most of these fantasists can’t explain where they got the fake info from or why they don’t believe the scientists or medical experts.
I agree that most of us would love to be back in the safer environment of pre-Covid but it’s still here, still infecting people and hospital admissions are still growing.
Choose your own path, but surely it’s wrong to try and influence people to take unnecessary risks.
My local hospital has no beds left on it’s Covid ward - the patients include some triple vaccinated people with underlying health issues, but the majority have had no vaccine or none since their very first.
This isn’t meant to be scaremongering but it’s the facts I know about here.

Mollygo

Just had a message from a colleague I gave a lift to last Wednesday that she has tested positive. I’m fine so far but we’re going away, so now what? Do I rush out masked and get a pack of tests or do I go away and hope?

I would have some tests to hand in case I felt unwell apart from that I would carry on with my plans

Actually Volver you are more infectious once you start showing symptoms not before. I check things before I post....

CleoPanda....very sensible post. Will anyone take notice of it though? I have my doubts ?

Theoddbird

Actually Volver you are more infectious once you start showing symptoms not before. I check things before I post....

Is that right now?

When Is the Coronavirus the Most Contagious?
Researchers estimate that people who get infected with the coronavirus can spread it to others 2 to 3 days before symptoms start and are most contagious 1 to 2 days before they feel sick.

It's possible that, because of its shorter incubation period, you may become contagious more quickly if you have the Omicron variant. But we need more research on this.

www.webmd.com/lung/coronavirus-incubation-period#2-6

I've a heavy cold, headache, no taste and muscle aches with mine at present, that's from last Tuesday. My friend had it last month and had to be hospitalised and put in anti viral drugs because she was so ill with it.
I thought it was still my hayfever playing up until I got a continuous cough and that's why I did the test. My sister had been with me 2 days prior and is still testing negative. My 5 days are up, I'm still testing positive so I shall be staying in until I get 2 negatives.
I've had 3 vaccines, still mask up in crowded places, wipe the trolleys, sanitise my hands and yet I still got it.
Everyone is different and everyone's symptoms can be different.

I was more bored during those two days of heatwave than when I had Covid! No energy to do anything.
My 17 years old tested positive for covid about three weeks ago. She insisted on setting off for school, having done a test but had no time to wait for the results. When mum saw the two red lines she rang her, telling her to get off the bus! She stayed off school for two days, plus the weekend but went back on the fifth day. She told me it is not compulsory to stay home any more and nobody stays off unless they feel too ill. I was surprised.
Personally I think it is safe to go out in the fresh air provided you can guarantee you won’t be close to anyone at all. I could easily walk round the block here without meeting anyone, or if I did, I would cross over or step into the ( quiet) road.

My 17 year old granddaughter, I meant to say.

I was positive for 9 days and still was cautious after day 10. Yes it drove me mad but I never left my house. I’d hate to give it to anyone more vulnerable.

Volver. We are infectious for a couple of days before symptoms and also when we have symptoms. Being contageous does not stop once symptoms show. If I knew that I had covid I would not dream of leaving my home and going where there are other people are...

That's good of you. Well done.

Oh, and well done for completely twisting (misinterpreting?) what I said, as well.

You shouldn't go out if you are still testing positive. It's only a few days and you must not take the risk of infecting anyone else. This is a devious little thing, don't take the chance of passing it on.

I NEVER EVER do lateral flow testing! What when twice I have had to self-isolate first for cataract op which never took place then the following year when there were complications and I had to go on waiting list to have it corrected. Test for Covid? After twice self-isolating when I live alone with NO support bubble. Do I feel ashamed for admitting this? NO!! Society should feel ashamed because twice I have had to have CBT owing to the fact that my mental state has deteriorated to such an extent I was nearly suicidal last year. Look after society and test every day? Are you kidding!!!! I have had 4 vaccinations so I consider I have looked after society, so now I am looking after ME because when you have NO support bubble nobody else will!!! I NEVER test, NEVER had the NHS app installed on my phone, because I am looking after ME and my mental health.

I had Covid earlier this year. I am CEV but fortunately had it mildly and barely had symptoms. I had a telephone consultation the day after I tested positive to check if I needed antiviral drugs. I didn't. I asked the doctor about isolation and he said it was better to go out for exercise than stay in so long as I could avoid walking close to people. So I went out every day and am 100% certain I didn't infect anyone.

LuckyFour

You shouldn't go out if you are still testing positive. It's only a few days and you must not take the risk of infecting anyone else. This is a devious little thing, don't take the chance of passing it on.

The rule is that you can go out five days after your first positive test. At least that's the rule in Scotland. Actually you can go out before that but its the "right thing" to isolate if you can.

We don't get to make up our own rules and tell other people to do as we do. Do as you please for yourself, but don't impose your made up rules on other people.

The virus is still very active and thousands of people each day are catching it - some with very minor symptoms and others more severely effected. We haven’t had covid and still test regularly before we go anywhere that might infect others and wear masks in shops etc. I couldn’t bear to think that I had knowingly given it to anyone who became very poorly or who died.

volver

LuckyFour

You shouldn't go out if you are still testing positive. It's only a few days and you must not take the risk of infecting anyone else. This is a devious little thing, don't take the chance of passing it on.

The rule is that you can go out five days after your first positive test. At least that's the rule in Scotland. Actually you can go out before that but its the "right thing" to isolate if you can.

We don't get to make up our own rules and tell other people to do as we do. Do as you please for yourself, but don't impose your made up rules on other people.

Equally, if people feel that they should isolate for five days after a positive test, others shouldn't try to gaslight them and accuse them of being scared, etc.

If people feel up to it and they're still testing positive, there can't possibly be any harm in going out for a walk, but staying away from other people.

I had my 5th jab yesterday as I’m ECV but I wouldn’t expect people to stay at home after day 6 to protect me. I had a countdown on my phone that said I was free to go out after day 6 …. If only! I was exhausted. Tested negative on day 8 and as I was given antivirals was asked to take lateral flow tests for a further 6 all were negative. 2 days later had raging temperature of 39.9 I tested positive again so had to go through it all again! My husband aged 82 lives with me and didn’t get it. It’s a weird one.

Please don't assume that after day 5 you are clear and no longer infectious. Stay away from others till you've tested negative for at least a couple of days, which could easily be till 10 days or more. The infection is still rife out there.

^Mollygo

Just had a message from a colleague I gave a lift to last Wednesday that she has tested positive. I’m fine so far but we’re going away, so now what? Do I rush out masked and get a pack of tests or do I go away and hope?^

Obviously it’s your decision but, if it was me, I’d still go away. If you have no symptoms, you may not have it; may not get it. I’d get a pack of tests to take with you and, if you get symptoms when you’re away, test then. If you’re positive you can stay away from people. If negative - hooray! We can’t live our lives saying ‘what if …’ If the holiday involves air travel or public transport, I’d wear a mask during travel - just in case. Why should you give up a holiday when, currently, the reality is that you’ve been somewhat near to someone who now has Covid. That doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get it. Just imagine if you cancelled your trip, stayed at home and didn’t get Covid. You’d then be saying ‘wish I’d gone’.