- Date posted
- 2y
What to do?
Hi everyone, I'm facing a bit of a dilemma. Last Thursday, I woke up with a sore throat and a little bit of green phlegm when I clear my throat. I'm not coughing, just uncomfortable. I'm supposed to attend an outdoor festival with a friend this Saturday, an event I've been excited about for a while. Now, I'm a bit worried. In the Netherlands, we're not required to follow COVID-19 measures like social distancing or wearing masks anymore. But I can't help but wonder, could I be carrying some other illness without knowing it? Festivals can be crowded, and the last thing I want is to unintentionally get someone else sick. To rule out COVID-19, I took a test and it came out negative. This should be reassuring, but it's not entirely. I'm still left wondering if it could be another kind of virus. The local health authorities recently updated their guidelines on July 3, 2023. They mentioned that if you're feeling slightly unwell but not seriously sick, you don't necessarily need to stay at home. Just be smart about it - avoid people who are vulnerable to getting seriously ill, and keep your hands clean. But despite this advice, I'm still unsure. Traditionally, the advice is that if you're feeling under the weather, it's better to stay home. But in reality, many people still go to work or events like festivals when they have minor symptoms. I even reached out to another health organization. I told them about my sore throat and the green phlegm, and they assured me that I could attend the festival. But still, I can't help but worry. It feels like, because I'm aware of the risk, I should act more cautiously than someone who's not giving it a second thought. It's important to remember that even common illnesses like the flu or a cold can spread and be dangerous for children, the elderly, or those with pre-existing health conditions. Qtbleast that is what the health website says, how many people actually think about this when going out? I really want to go, before my ocd and before covid i would not have thought qbout it andbjust went. I have a sore throath quite often, and i canjot keep putting my life on pauze everytime. This friend rhat im going with is the last friend i got, i have allost no social contacts anymore. To make things worse, i even heard from my wife who is friends with my friends wife that my friend has told his wife that he jopes im not going to tell ive been feeling ill again or am having a dry troath or sore troath. My friends, family, therapist, brother and more are suggesting that I should just go. They appreciate that I'm considering the potential risks, but they also say that I can't put my life on hold every time I have a sore throat, which happens to me quite frequently. So, I'm reaching out to ask for your thoughts. What would you do in my situation?