Now ye're talking - to a consultant in the HSE [Questions thread]

On underlying conditions - I have had a heart bypass, 10 years ago, 54 now, in good shape generally, did a 13 minute treadmill test a month ago and had follow up with cardiologist in Mater. Hit 100% max heart rate, etc, so cardiologist was happy with the performance.

Just wondering if a bypass fixed the heart issue, is CVD still a reason to self isolate when the time comes with my underlying condition? Am I at the same risk as someone with COPD, heart failure etc, or can I go about my business?

I know the bypass fixed the problem, and the disease still exists. Hence my question, mortality rate for CVD is quite high, seemingly 13%, so I have that concern of course.

Thanks in advance.

Asking for a friend 😷...There’s lots of us here with partners working in the healthcare system ( me included) What precautions do you take or recommend when coming home from work to protect your own family

Thank you for your guidance, and the work you and your colleagues will be doing.
Your last post said this:

"It is just a matter of time. Buy us that time with social distancing, social isolation and handwashing."

Do you think we are doing enough?
My household is doing absolutely everything by the book but its frustrating as hell when I heard about people going to house parties last night and kids like my own on playdates who are all unable to self-regulate the social distancing.
I called my health insurer nurseline about information I'd read, (both media and scientific journals) about ace inhibitors and concerns surrounding these. I was told that their medical teams were aware of this and that there were many uncertainties. Now I'm not coming off the medication or anything extreme like that, and I did contact my gp with my questions, which we all should do!
Is there any verifiable science surrounding these medications and their interactions with covid19?

If someone suspects they have the virus but are generally well and have painkillers at home and they decide to stay at home for two weeks and just get through it.

Do they need to get tested or can they just stay at home?

Quick question regarding self-quarantine, should someone whos in remission from hodgkins lymphoma for just over a year and received 6 months of ABVD chemo be travelling into work on public transport & work in a busy office in the city centre or do they fall under the at risk group advised by HSE to self-quarantine?

More clean up needed on answers thread Mods

I’ve been reading your posts with both interest and high anxiety. I believe all your facts and thank you for doing this.

Question:

I’m a 44 year old male with Cerebral Palsy. In addition I’ve early Osteopenia and I’ve picked up some kidney stones in the last couple of years. I’m also allergic to Penicillin which is used to fight off lots of bugs. .

My CP is mild compared to others. I can still walk and I try to exercise as much as possible.

Am I at any higher a risk than another 44 year old male?

I’ve been distancing myself from most people for about 10 days now and I’m going to focus on looking after my immunity with high dosage Vitamin C, Zinc and more.

Cheers again.

First off, I wish you all the best in what you are preparing for and my thoughts are with each and every person who are on the front lines for this. I also have a tremendous amount of respect for you taking the time to do this, understanding the involved risk.

I posted this elsewhere but maybe if you have time you could answer...

EDIT: It looks like you have addressed my question in your most recent answers and I don't expect you to be repeating yourself so I don't see the need for you to answer this - your time here may be best spent answering others! The person in question has decided to self-isolate.

Someone I know who has an underlying condition is still working and using public transport daily to travel to and from work. I've checked the stats HERE (section: Case fatality rate of COVID-19 by preexisting health conditions)...

They have diabetes and are between 20-40 yrs old. Am I reading this correctly that if you have diabetes you are ~7 times more likely to die from the virus? i.e. 7.3% vs 0.9%? I notice that this doesn't factor in age (like the previous data), so it is also possible that the majority of these diabetes cases are older people. Are these assumptions correct?

I have been looking for more detailed data regarding this but have not yet found any, if you know of any other sources, I would be very grateful.

I have suggested to this person that they should probably be self-isolating but I don't want to scare or worry them by presenting any figures, especially ones I don't fully comprehend.

They work in retail and their employer has stated that they will be keeping the place open even if non-essential retail outlets are ordered to close - I believe they have applied for special status in this regard based upon the products they sell. Their employer has informed them that they have the option to not come to work if they are not comfortable (which will be treated as unpaid leave) so this obviously has a bearing on their decision to isolate.

I just want this person to be fully informed and not putting themselves at undue risk for financial reasons.

What are your thoughts?

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On a separate note (not directed to OP since it is not their field), does anybody know how higher risk people who choose to self-isolate are treated when it comes to Welfare? Looking HERE, it would appear that you may claim more if you are diagnosed or suspected of having the virus. Does anything similar apply if you are in a high risk category and told to isolate by your GP? I am not certain but I would assume that any decent employer would be able to declare that a certain individual was not required at the moment and temporarily laid off if needed...

No questions, just thank you for your forthrightness, bravery and determination. If we ever meet, I will buy you a beer. Several beers.

From my understanding the median time for symptoms to start after getting infected is 5 days, and almost everyone that gets symptoms will have them before 14 days. Do you have equivalent figures for how soon after getting infected a person becomes infectious even if they don't have symptoms yet, and for how soon after getting infected a person will test positive even if they don't have symptoms yet?

I'm a bit confused about the advice regarding hygiene/social distancing - HSE website says masks are unlikely to be effective for healthy people and seems to advise against gloves, but you reckon it's irresponsible to go to a supermarket without gloves and masks? Also, if we're worried about touching surfaces in a supermarket then what about the things we buy and take home? Should we be disinfecting packaging? Thanks.

Is sex ok during this crisis or should we be avoiding that also?

When can we go back to this type of thing if it's not recommended?

Do you contact trace your partner?