My grandson is ill, can the rest of the family go out to exercise? Dr Hilary answers your coronavirus questions
IF you are looking for expert guidance and advice during the Covid-19 crisis, TV’s Doctor Hilary Jones has the answers.
The Sun on Sunday has teamed up with Good Morning Britain’s Health Editor to reply to the thousands of readers who have been in touch for help to cut through the confusion.
Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
Q. I WORK offshore and some workers have had a Covid-19 test but I haven’t because we were told it’s not recognised by the NHS. Is this correct?
A. I doubt very much whether they’ve had the Covid-19 test, which shows if they have been infected. It is much more likely that they have been offered the so-called antibody test to see if they have previously had the virus and are now immune.
Unfortunately these tests are currently unreliable and misleading. They could tell you that you’ve had the virus when you haven’t, and vice versa.
Q. I AM an NHS Healthcare Support Worker, caring for a patient with Covid-19. I have asthma that is managed by an inhaler but not severe enough to be asked to shield. Should I be exposed to infected patients?
A. In an ideal world you would not, but in this crisis we need all hands to the pump. In theory you would have received a letter if your asthma was considered severe enough to put you into the vulnerable category.
Unless you have had severe or frequent episodes of asthma requiring oral steroids you may still go to work — but for you, using PPE and social distancing is very important.
Q. IS it safe to go two miles by car to visit my daughter who never goes out at all because she can hardly see?
A. People are being asked to stay at home except to go for essential supplies, to collect medications or to care for the vulnerable. The less contact there is between people, the less likelihood of transmission of the virus.
If your daughter is visually handicapped and cannot manage alone, then clearly you must go. But if she can cope, however difficult it is for both of you, it would be best to stay home, except for essential work.
Q. MY grandson has been ill for 11 days. His parents and brother show no signs of coronavirus. When can they go out together to exercise?
A. Once they have all been in self-isolation for 14 days, they can go out together to exercise, providing none of them have developed symptoms. But if your grandson remains poorly, he should stay home until he feels completely better.
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Q. IF we stay indoors and regularly use cleaning products at home, how will we build up immunity to any viruses?
A. The principle of the lockdown is to protect and shield the most vulnerable in our society and to allow our wonderful NHS to cope with rising numbers of cases.
Most people only suffer mild to moderate symptoms of Covid-19 and gradually immunity will spread through the community.
Join our George Cross campaign for NHS staff
SUN readers are today urged to sign a petition calling for our NHS staff to be awarded the George Cross.
Yesterday, we backed a proposal by Lord Ashcroft to honour our health heroes with the gallantry gong given for acts of bravery that did not take place in battle.
A No10 spokesman said: “The NHS is doing a fantastic job and the nation will want to find a way to say thank you when we have defeated this virus.”
SAS hero Andy McNab added: “The award of a George Cross would show an emotional appreciation.”
We are asking readers to sign the petition online at thesun.co.uk/georgecrossfornhs.
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