cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
Main content skiplink
Join an event. Happening today.

Let's Chat: Coronavirus (COVID-19)

 

It’s been a big start to the year with lots of world news that can start to get a bit much. It’s no surprise that seeing updates about the Coronavirus has been stressful for some people. 

 

If you are feeling anxious about this virus, we want you to know that you are not alone and you don’t have to struggle in silence. Feel free to have a chat about it here with us. As always, we are here to listen and support you through tough times. 

 

What personally helped me wrap my head around the Coronavirus was getting the facts. I’d really encourage everyone to have a read through them here and check out the links at the bottom of this post for the latest, updated health information: 

 

  •  Australia is taking action: There are protective measures in place including travel bans, self isolation and social distancing to reduce the transmission of the virus. You can find up to date information on the action Australia is taking here and here.
  • Person to person spread of corona viruses generally occurs between people who are close contacts with one another. A close contact is someone who has been face to face for at least 15 minutes, or been in the same closed space for at least 2 hours, with a person that was infectious.  
  • Globally the fatality rate is 2%, which is significantly lower than other recent major outbreaks. It is important to remind ourselves that we have a good healthcare system in Australia that is working hard to make sure we’re all okay.
  • It’s important not to avoid Chinese people, Chinese products or Chinatown as this can have very negative outcomes for this community. If anyone is at risk of transmitting they will be isolated. There is also a great article here about dealing with and fighting against the racism associated with this outbreak. 
  • Although it can be stressful sitting with the uncertainty of a new virus, know that scientists are working really hard to get on top of this. 

What can help to ease the stress is working on the things we do know and can control. Read on here if you need some tips on coping with things out of your control. 

 

So what can you do? 

 

  • Wash your hands frequently: Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub if your hands are not visibly dirty.
  • Practice respiratory hygiene: When coughing and sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with the crook of your elbow or a tissue – get rid of the tissue immediately into a closed bin and clean your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water. Also, avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth. 
  • If you have a fever, cough and/or difficulty breathing, seek medical care early. Tell your health care provider if you have travelled overseas, or if you have been in close contact with someone with who has travelled recently and has respiratory symptoms.

If you’re still feeling like you need more information, we’ve got some links below that might help to reduce the stress. 

 

  • Get all the information you need on the NSW Health site here or check out the FAQ page on the Department of Health website
  • If you’re feeling unwell and would like to check your symptoms you can do so here
  • Coronavirus health information line, call 1800 020 080 for people with questions regarding prevention and the spread of the coronavirus
  • Healthdirect helpline, call 1800 022 222 to speak to a registered nurse who can provide advice when you're not sure what to do — whether you should see a local GP, manage the condition at home, or go to an emergency department, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
  • This is a great info-graphic on coping with the stress of a viral outbreak here

 

You are not alone, and we will get through this together Heart

 

 

Bre-RO
Bre-ROPosted 14-02-2020 01:27 PM

Comments (6 pages)

 
 
 
 
 
Taylor-RO
Taylor-ROPosted 03-05-2020 09:31 PM

Great to hear @Bananatime04!

Hi @Anonymous, you are not butting in, everyone is welcome here. I hear what you are saying - the last thing we would want to do is go through all of this all over again. On May 11th, Daniel Andrews is planning to announce whether the restrictions will be lifted or extended. To my knowledge, there has been no decision made yet, it could go either way Smiley Happy

Anonymous
Not applicable

 
 
 
 
 
Tiny_leaf
Tiny_leafPosted 02-05-2020 11:45 PM

@WheresMySquishy that's really weird...

 

And yeah, they definitely are.. I think she just gets bored only doing one job.

 

And no, fortunately I've avoided anything like that.

 
 
 
 
 
WheresMySquishy
WheresMySquishyPosted 02-05-2020 11:28 PM

@Tiny_leaf  Haha it definitely was! It was also cool because I got to see some more of the operating theatres that I didn't get to see with the other procedures I've had in the same hospital. The first one was very big and the anesthesiologist had to help me shuffle onto the operating table, which was hard because we had to take the IV pole with me, while my urologist chatted about football or something in the background (he was really excited to be operating on me). Getting ready for the second surgery was funny as well because the second anesthesiologist gave me some IV drugs that instantly made me 'flop', but still able to talk. It was so weird.

That's kind of unusual! It seems like it would be two different disciplines.

Ouch! That must have hurt.
Have you ever had to have a suppository or an anti-nausea needle? I'll never forget having them.

 
 
 
 
 
Tiny_leaf
Tiny_leafPosted 02-05-2020 10:07 PM

@WheresMySquishy ouch... I don't blame you for groaning.

 

What a fun learning experience Smiley Tongue

 

Yeah, nephrologists do more with the kidneys I think.

My psychiatrist doubles as one apparently. No idea how...

 

Yes, I'm glad they do them in the arms...

Except for one where they somehow (don't read if you don't like reading medical stuff) pushed it through both a vein and a nerve. Not. Fun.

 
 
 
 
 
WheresMySquishy
WheresMySquishyPosted 02-05-2020 09:36 PM

@Bananatime04  Oh, I'm glad that you're not unwell! It must be really stressful having to move in the middle of a pandemic though.
Yep! Lots of needles. I think the hysteroscopy I had was a walk in a park compared to the kidney stones. The most painful medical part was the stent removal. The nurse yanked it out quickly and it was like having the worst waxing session ever. I hope no one in the waiting room heard me groan in pain! Luckily, it only lasted a few seconds and it was good to have it out because it was painful to have in.

@Tiny_leaf  I'm glad I 'escaped' too! I went to the emergency room around 8:30am or 9am. The operation happened around 5pm after the urologist called the operating theatre to book the room. It was to 'unblock' the obstruction with a stent. I was initially told I would be in hospital for two nights, but they discharged me the next afternoon after the urologist saw me and the IV antibiotics were finished (they gave them to me because they were concerned about my blood results). The follow-up procedure to actually get rid of the left side stones was a day surgery. They initially cancelled it at the last minute because they thought I had an infection, so I had to come back the next week. They wanted me to stay overnight because I was unwell (more so than the other patients) but my mum convinced them to let me go home. The stent removal was just done in the office rather than them removing it with a scope. The urologist told me he wants to do another day procedure to look at the other kidney but nothing has been decided yet.  I didn't know kidney stone surgeries had to be done in different parts until I had this problem, haha.
This month I have to have an ultrasound to check everything is well after the surgeries and then I see the urologist. It was really hard to get an appointment with the nephrologist because he's apparently very popular. I see him in June. The urologist thinks the nephrologist may put me on a tablet because there's a high chance of this happening to me again. The urologist told me some stuff about how to prevent the stones but I think this is more the nephrologist's domain so hopefully I will find out more.

I don't think having injections in your legs would be pleasant. 😞

 
 
 
 
 
Tiny_leaf
Tiny_leafPosted 02-05-2020 08:59 PM

@WheresMySquishy oops...

Your poor arms....

How long did you end up in hospital for? It sounds like it was even more intense than I'd thought, wow....

I'm glad you "escaped" now.

 

Yeah, that wouldn't be fun....

My FND has raised my pain tolerance just because I'm more used to pain.

But it's also almost entirely in my lower body, I don't think I'd react so well to having injections in my legs on a bad pain day...

 
 
 
 
 
Bananatime04
Bananatime04Posted 02-05-2020 08:56 PM

Thank you @helentran12 Heart I am okay and I will definitely let you guys know my results! I will relieve them in the next 2 days 🙂

I’m sorry to hear about your anxiety! Have you seen our coping strategies thread? I think some of those posts have helped with my anxiety in the past 🙂

 
 
 
 
 
WheresMySquishy
WheresMySquishyPosted 02-05-2020 08:47 PM

@Tiny_leaf  It can really frustrating when you react to latex or other materials that people use when giving injections. 😞 I don't seem to react to those things, but my mum got a local reaction with her flu shot which made her arm turn red.
When I had my first surgery for kidney stones, they ended up injecting me four times. Something went wrong with my cannula because every time I bent my arm, the antibiotics stopped and the machine beeped like crazy. So they decided that they would put another one in my other arm while I was under anaesthetic. They botched that one too and it gave me a massive bruise. Finally, they got it right on the third attempt. Then the next day, they injected my thigh with a blood thinner. I think I still have marks from the needles. It didn't hurt to take out the cannulas but it was like waxing when they took off the sticky tape because the only good veins I have are in the middle of my arm.
It definitely wasn't! We tried to distract her with Animal Crossing and stuff. Her arms are more sensitive due to her FND and CRPS so it was more painful for her.

 
 
 
 
 
helentran12
helentran12Posted 02-05-2020 08:42 PM

@Bananatime04 Omg. So happy that you took the test ! Let us know about the results, i hope it gives you some ease and reassurances. I hope you know that it's really brave 

 

I am currently suffering from major health anxiety, ever since the COVID pandemic happened  and i took the test too for my reassurances luckily it was a negative result.  However, i am still suffering from a bit of health anxiety and can make me have days where i still think i have the COVID or something. It such a horrible feeling because it affects my body so dramatically. But, i have to keep reminding myself that it's not be all and end all. 

 

Also, we are fortunate enough to live in Australia where we have a good health care system. So the best thing for now, even when it seems like the whole world is falling apart and there's heap of uncertainty is to know that we have each other, and that we will be safe.  I hope your results @Bananatime04 give you the reassurances, but just know that you're brave for doing what you did, and honestly whatever the outcome is. You will be alright either way 🙂 

 

 
 
 
 
 
Tiny_leaf
Tiny_leafPosted 02-05-2020 08:30 PM

@WheresMySquishy I'm glad you understand about the sticker.

 

As, at least I got a bandaid...

Only problem is that I'm a little reactive with the bandaid glue, so for me it's actually better if I get the tape and cotton wool.

 

Oof... that doesn't sound fun for anyone involved...

 
 
 
 
 
WheresMySquishy
WheresMySquishyPosted 02-05-2020 08:28 PM

@Tiny_leaf  Oh no! I'm sad to hear that you didn't get the sticker. 😞 I love stickers. I think I would have preferred a sticker to a lolly at that age.
I didn't even get a Band-Aid with my flu shot this year. I had to hide the injection site from my sister because she freaks out about anything to do with injections. We got her to have one too but it was a screamfest.

 
 
 
 
 
Bananatime04
Bananatime04Posted 01-05-2020 01:36 PM

I am done now.. it hurt so bad 😣 I literally cried.. they had to do both sides of my nose and the first nostril really hurt and I pulled back 4 times and they just kept going because it wasn’t deep enough.

 
 
 
 
 
Bre-RO
Bre-ROPosted 01-05-2020 02:15 PM

Well done for getting through a scary experience @Bananatime04 I would have also been really nervous about the test. I get so anxious about medical examinations! 

 

When I want to treat myself I usually get my favourite food/snack and watch a tv series I love or something. What about you? Maybe a big cuddle with Eddie would be a good place to start? 🙂 

 
 
 
 
 
Bananatime04
Bananatime04Posted 01-05-2020 09:46 PM

@Hozzles I’m not sure how to help you but I feel exactly the same 😞

 
 
 
 
 
Hozzles
HozzlesPosted 01-05-2020 07:03 PM

Just realised today that, if I'm being honest, I'm very scared of the restrictions being lifted... because once they do, I'll have no reason to feel like this. Because of this situation, people are being kinder, and it's easier to just say that this is affecting my mental health... but what happens when everything re-opens and I'm still feeling the same? Smiley Sad

 
 
 
 
 
Dream_State
Dream_StatePosted 01-05-2020 06:37 PM

I’m glad some elective surgeries will be going back slowly! 

 
 
 
 
 
Bananatime04
Bananatime04Posted 01-05-2020 06:11 PM
@Taylor-RO thought so.. yea I don’t want one. My mum didn’t like it and I don’t like the sound of it!
Thanks 🙂 sorry for the weird question
 
 
 
 
 
Taylor-RO
Taylor-ROPosted 01-05-2020 06:05 PM

Hello! It is called a pap smear test. There is some information about it here Smiley Happy 

 
 
 
 
 
Bananatime04
Bananatime04Posted 01-05-2020 06:02 PM
@Taylor-RO hey! Do you know what I’m talking about? What is it called?
 
 
 
 
 
Bananatime04
Bananatime04Posted 01-05-2020 05:50 PM
@Tiny_leaf no, I googled that and that’s not what I meant.. I’ve tried to find the one I mean and it could be ‘ Pap test’ but I’m not sure.. maybe we can ask whoever comes online tonight? All the mod squads are female right? It sounds very uncomfortable and my mum wasn’t excited when the doctor said mum was due for hers when we went to get my blood test results..
 
 
 
 
 
Tiny_leaf
Tiny_leafPosted 01-05-2020 05:13 PM

@Bananatime04 Do you mean a mammogram?

They do sound really uncomfortable..

 
 
 
 
 
Bananatime04
Bananatime04Posted 01-05-2020 02:25 PM
@Bre-RO thanks 🙂 I’m also scared to get a medical things done.. especially after finding out that my mum has to get something every 5 years that all women have to get! I’m not sure what it’s called but I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m not going to be an adult Smiley Tongue there is no way I’m getting that done. It’s to check for cancer but i would rather have cancer than get that done. So when I’m 17, I’m going to be 17 for quite a few years.

Of course Eddie is getting cuddles! He’s always getting cuddles! I am feeling a little better now though 🙂
Thank youuu
 
 
 
 
 
JazzInMay
JazzInMayPosted 01-05-2020 01:51 PM

@Bananatime04  good on you getting through it!! I understand, medical things (like tubes and needles) make me really uncomfortable too, so I can see it was a stressful experience. But I am glad it is over for you now. Are you feeling alright now it's done?

Welcome back!

Join the Community

ReachOut is confidential & anonymous.

8+ characters, 1 capital letter, 1 lower case letter and 1 number

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.