Stayed quarantined in the basement today

I woke up with a headache and an achy body. I felt like I had a slight temperature. It took me all day to locate a thermometer as mine had an expired battery. You can forget finding one anywhere. After my SIL drove 25 miles to bring me hers, I took my temp and it was only .7 degrees over my normal. I took 2 Tylenol and my niece insisted on giving me half a valium. Because she thinks this is stress and worry. The achy body and tiredness are not going away and earlier in the morning I was feeling short of breath. But not now, and the Tylenol helped.

I figured it made sense to stay isolated (except for the dogs), I certainly cannot be around my boyfriend who lives with cancer and heart disease. And my brother, whom I share the ranch with, is a smoker. I have more people here than usual, -- two of my nieces, so there are four of us instead of two.

There is no point going anywhere for a test because I am only mildly ill, and the health department would not qualify me for one. There have been only 2 cases in my county, but on Monday I spent all day inside my closed restaurant with two Pepsi soda machine mechanics/installers (got a new machine). And they were coming from an urban county with many more cases of the virus.

Do you think I'm being ridiculous or is it better to be safe?

4 years ago

slim cat

Veteran

You should be very careful - better be safe than sorry.
I think you did all the right things and staying in the basement probably the smartest thing to do. If it's a coronavirus - it could be a milder one but still serious enough to you and your nearest family.
Stay safe, take care of yourself.

Joy

For now it is best, I think, to be safe and keep others safe. Someone sent me a video that says try to hold your breath each morning for 20 seconds. If you can do it without coughing, it is a sign that your lungs are good. They also suggested drinking water, a sip about every 15 minutes to wash down any virus and help prevent it getting to your lungs. The video made me feel stronger in that there were things that could be done. If they really work, they help one feel that they have some control.

Gigi

I would definitely play it safe. You're not being ridiculous at all!

Jenn

(website)

I quarantined alone in my room for two days last week for similar reasons (in my case it was a headache, low grade fever, and stomach cramps). In the end, my temp never got to the clinical fever range and I felt completely better by the second day, so I came out. I suspect it was a case of food poisoning.

It’s hard to be in isolation, but especially when you’re living with someone in a high risk category, definitely better to play it safe.

rachylou

No, you’ve done the right thing, esp considering your boyfriend. I’d totally sanitise everything too - and throw out your toothbrush (!)

anne

I think you are doing the right thing. Hope you recover soon!

Jenni NZ

Joy I am sorry but that thing about holding your breath is “fake news”- it certainly is not a proven thing and has been discredited. Maybe check a reliable site like the CDC.

Sal

Take care Denise. Hope you recover quickly. Stressful times - plays havoc on the body.

The Cat

You are not ridiculous. Stay safe!
And I think you should inform the machine installers and/or their company.

Style Fan

I don't think you are being ridiculous. Best to quarantine yourself until you are sure you are safe.

Janet

I would be doing the same as you. My husband and I were just talking about a quarantine plan if one of us gets sick.

This article is by one of my acquaintances about his illness and quarantine so his wife would not be infected: https://www.washingtonpost.com.....household/

Joy, that “hold your breath” test is bogus. We need to be more vigilant than ever about secondhand medical advice.

Anonymous

Definitely better to be safe!

There are SO many "helpful " postings on facebook etc written by someone's "friend whose sister is a nurse" etc. Thank you Jenni for stepping in here.

JAileen

I hope you feel better SOON. A good friend, a nurse practitioner, is afraid she may have been exposed to it, and is terrified.

We thought we had a thermometer, but couldn’t find it. It took awhile, but I finally found one on Amazon. It was actually a pack of two. (That and Costco might be why we have shortages.) Anyway, my 95YO mother wanted a thermometer, so I went to UPS to send it - $15!! So I went to the post office - $3.85.

I joke that alcohol kills the virus. I think everyone knows I’m kidding. But because this is the apocalypse, my husband and I have been enjoying a cocktail before dinner. I especially like a Manhattan.

Jane

I hope you feel better soon, definitely best to play it safe. I

I would very much keep your distance until you are entirely comfortable, it might be in your head, but I think because the thermometer says you have a higher temperature than normal, it is best to be very cautious.

Cardiff girl

Better to play it safe,not being ridiculous at all,being thoughtful and responsible.Stay isolated for at least 7days even if you feel better.Hope that you do feel better soon.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

I echo slim cat. Much better to play it safe and be very cautious.

Denise, I would absolutely call the doctor or coronavirus hotline if you haven't already done so. That's what you're suppose to do when you feel symptoms coming on - and of course, quarantine and stay at home, like you have already wisely done. Much love. xo

Kate

You're doing exactly right, Denise. I hope you feel better very soon.

CocoLion

Hello, thank you for the wise advice. I contacted my doctor and explained my symptoms. Today they are: headache, short of breath when I talk (very mild but unusual for me as I walk hills everyday and live in altitude), and an awful taste in my mouth. Surely a very strange set of symptoms.

I was told to take my temperature twice a day and if anything gets worse to call back or go to the ER.

I am still quarantining but my brother came downstairs and sat 6 ft from me. I took my temp, it is in the normal range and my body aches from yesterday are gone.

Joyce B

I hope you will feel better soon, CL.
In what relates to safety, doing more is always better than doing less and it looks like you made the right decision.
Please take good care of yourself and be on top of any new or worsening symptoms.

Helena

I think you've done exactly the right thing! Better safe than sorry for sure. I agree with Angie; I wouldn't shy away from phoning the appropriate health care professional in you. Take good care of yourself!

Diana

Denise, I hope you feel better soon! I think it’s wise to self-isolate if you feel ill, especially with your boyfriend’s risk factors. Better safe than sorry, right?

Suz

Denise, I hope you feel better soon - - I think you are wise to do what you are doing. It is hard, but the best course of action for SURE.

cindysmith

I hope you're feeling better fast. It must be horribly frightening to be feeling sick right now (((hugs)))

I always like to err on the side of caution. I'm actually already trying to figure out how to NOT have to return to work until Texas flattens the curve, which could be sometime in 2047 at the rate Governor whatshisname keeos going with not issuing any statewide shelter-in-place orders. Hobby Lobby was open today. For why?

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