Suspected Coronavirus in the family- What do I do

[Jon-Manchester]

Hello,

yesterday my wife's initial cold turn into very soar throat and fever. Her joints and muscles are acing, coughing a fair bit... basically all the hallmark of a 'mild' coronavirus infection (but of course could be a flu but we always take the flu jab). She hasn't got diabetes and she is healthy, but I am so worried with my relatively newly diagnosed T1.
What do I do?
I slept in the spare bedroom last night but that may all be too little too late?

I have no symptoms at the moment but I cant see how I can possibly avoid catching it (and I probably already have).

To say that I am worried sick is a massive understatement

What would you guys do? Do I just ride it out and hope for the best? Is there anything I can do now?

Many thanks
jon

 

[Robin]

Hello,

yesterday my wife's initial cold turn into very soar throat and fever. Her joints and muscles are acing, coughing a fair bit... basically all the hallmark of a 'mild' coronavirus infection (but of course could be a flu but we always take the flu jab). She hasn't got diabetes and she is healthy, but I am so worried with my relatively newly diagnosed T1.
What do I do?
I slept in the spare bedroom last night but that may all be too little too late?

I have no symptoms at the moment but I cant see how I can possibly avoid catching it (and I probably already have).

To say that I am worried sick is a massive understatement

What would you guys do? Do I just ride it out and hope for the best? Is there anything I can do now?

Many thanks
jon

As you say, it’s probably too late to avoid it, but just in case you haven’t got it, you might want to continue isolating as much as possible, (ie, sleep in spare room, use separate bathroom if poss, or clean shared one after each use, wash hands frequently)
If you do get it, all the evidence so far is that people with Type 1 diabetes don’t have it any worse than other people. Just make sure you are aware of the sick day rules, so you know what to do if the illness makes your blood sugars rise. Type sick day rules into the search box above.
Or there are sick day rules here.

Sickday rules pdf

Sick day rules flowchart from Leicester diabetes centre. Particularly useful for people with Type 1 Diabetes during the Coronavirus outbreak.

www.t1resources.uk

 

[Jon-Manchester]

As you say, it’s probably too late to avoid it, but just in case you haven’t got it, you might want to continue isolating as much as possible, (ie, sleep in spare room, use separate bathroom if poss, or clean shared one after each use, wash hands frequently)
If you do get it, all the evidence so far is that people with Type 1 diabetes don’t have it any worse than other people. Just make sure you are aware of the sick day rules, which admin @everydayupsanddowns has posted in the general message board under a general Coronavirus thread (will check in a mo) so you know what to do if the illness makes your blood sugars rise.

Thank you Robin for your prompt response. I have just come to grips of being a diabetic so never have had to deal so far with being ill whilst diabetic, but I have today read through the sick day rules and printed off the flowchart

 

[Cazzablanca]

I read somewhere to get early intervention if you become breathless with these conditions rather than see how it goes.

 

[Robin]

I read somewhere to get early intervention if you become breathless with these conditions rather than see how it goes.

Yes, I think the advice is, while you’ve got mild flu symptoms, manage it yourself, but if you start to have breathing problems, seek medical help. Also, for people with diabetes, I’d add, seek help from your diabetic team if you have difficulty managing your blood sugar levels.

 

[Docb]

I'd ring 111. As I understand it they will take you through the symptoms of CV infection and give you a chance of deciding whether you have CV in the house or just a nasty cold. If there is a risk that it is CV then they should be able to give you best advice of what steps to take.

 

[ianf0ster]

Most of the fear about Diabetes and CoVid-19 is about Type 2's since they form the bulk of Diabetics. However doctors have been focussed on saving lives rather than keeping statistics and the doctors who treat thiose with Coronavirus in the ICU's are NOT Diabetes specialists.
Take sensible precautions and assume you have it even if you show no symptoms since if your wide does then you probably already do and as many as 10% may have it with no symptoms (ever).
So self Isolate the household if possible to prevent infecting any outsiders.

 

[grovesy]

I'd ring 111. As I understand it they will take you through the symptoms of CV infection and give you a chance of deciding whether you have CV in the house or just a nasty cold. If there is a risk that it is CV then they should be able to give you best advice of what steps to take.

They are advising to ring 111 only if you cant get online, there is a dedicated online 111 service.

 

[Jon-Manchester]

Thank you all for your messages, it is very comforting to 'talk' to people.
I have been superstringent with my bloodsugar management due to this whole coronavirus thing, so if bs management is an important as part of the recovering from corona, i will hopefully be OK.
Attached my last 7 days stats, which i am pretty pleased about.