Has anyone got this hideous cold doing the rounds?

[Pyri]

Usually a cold lasts a few days and gives me some sniffles and a headache

This one has been going on for 10 days and is much worse. Shivers, sneezes, sore throat, muscle aches, coughing etc. Not enough to be off work but enough to make me feel exhausted and want to be in bed by 8pm.

it’s not covid. Anyone else got it?

It's likely to be Covid. Lateral flows won't always pick up the new variant.

Either way, if people are ill they should stay home (as OP is doing anyway).

Not saying you shouldn't test, but if you have a nasty virus surely you would stay away from other people anyway?

Whether it be a bad cold, flu or covid - none of these things are pleasant to pass to other people, especially the elderly/ vulnerable.

Tell that to the bosses.

Me too. I seem to be on a 4 hours on / off cycle. So I am awake for 4 hours then suddenly I'm exhausted, go to bed, sleep for 4 hours then awake.

Well I did another covid test this morning… still negative. Still feeling rough!

Judging by the number of my friends who are testing positive at the moment, most people who feel ill are still testing.

I have this right now! Feeling both hot and cold at the same time, everything hurts, throat is awful making eating so difficult. Think I might have sprained (?) something near my abdomen from coughing too.

I’ve just had Covid as have my DP, DS 2 and partner’s son.
I’m an NHS HCP and they are going down like flies with it at work. Trouble is people are using old kits rather than forking out for new ones. We were negative and then tested positive with a new pack. I suspect that’s why it’s spreading so fast. Also the person I caught it off just had a 2 day headache, never thought it was Covid (which it was)….

You can’t assume everyone knows you WFH either - most people don’t.
so not a lemon of any sort - it was totally reasonable to assume ‘off work’ refers to staying home (or in this case not).
Not lecture-y either. Just stating the obvious. If a germ makes you feel awful bloody well avoid passing it on to others.

No, you tell yours. It’s utterly ridiculous to suffer - and make everyone else suffer - because you prioritise work over everyone’s wellbeing. Unionise. Sort it. The workforce on this country needs to stop being such a pushover.

We’ve been told in school that unless we are physically unable to get out of bed then we are to come in whether it’s covid or flu, we just have to wear masks, so covid is rife at school. I work for the council as a school cleaner and people are going in because of sickness policy and because they don’t want disciplinary action for being off. Not about the money, they don’t want the possibility of getting sacked.

unless this is changed then I’m afraid covid will still be rife in the work place

A school won’t sack you for illness. Your union would have something to say if they tried it. To my knowledge, everyone working in a school has the option of a well established union.
however this sort of nonsense is why I’m taking very little work at the moment (supply teacher). I refuse to work somewhere that doesn’t prioritise the health and well-being of their staff and wider community. This isn’t about covid. It’s about all bugs.

You do know that not everyone gets paid sick pay and therefore can't afford to take time off?

I agree. It appears not, though. I’ve been called lecture-y for suggesting it.
If you are ill bloody stay away from other people!

^ This. I'm currently off work, having had the bad luck to be sitting directly opposite the 'Office Manager' who was coughing and sneezing everywhere last week while simultaneously not allowing the windows to be opened sufficiently because she was sitting 'in a draught'. I have tested positive for Covid. She says she didn't test because she didn't have a temperature. 😬 Apart from not feeling well, I can't in all conscience, sit in a poorly ventilated office with colleagues, some of whom have elderly parents to visit, and one of whom's husband works in a care home!

I've got covid and I didn't test positive until day 3 of nasty symptoms.

I'm on mat leave with a 20 week old. Send help, and wine!! 🍷

Me! On day 17 now, have done a couple of COVID tests, both negative. Haven't had a fever but have felt tired and generally unwell throughout, have struggled on WFH.

Think I developed a sinus infection a couple of days ago, and today woke up with a croaky voice and a worse cough again, wondering whether I need to see a GP in case I need antibiotics.

Yes, 2 weeks now. It's much better than it was but still coughing, snotty in the morning, and quite tired. Tested twice for covid but negative.

Hence my later comment that the British people need to stop being such a pushover. Whatever, though, it’s still unreasonable to pass on a germ that makes you feel awful to other people.

And weirdly before it came on, my vaccine arm was aching in the same way it did after I had the vaccines. Presumably a coincidence.

Yes its a icky slow burner this one, with so many symptoms. Started with headache, then days of cramping, V&D. Then aches, then fever, then sneezing then congestion and now coughing up phlem.

Doesn't feel like covid, but defo feels worse than a cold.
Newly purchased LFTs show -ve multiple times.

I am on day 5 and only slightly improving. Still headaches and general feeling crap but at least the cough and sore throat are starting to go down a bit.

I don't think I have ever been through so much medicine for a cold.

Yeah. Good luck with getting sick pay simply by refusing to be a pushover. 🤷‍♀️ That's not how the private sector works.

Tell employers they're unreasonable for not paying sick pay, not employees for feeling forced to work when they likely don't want to, but do because they have essential bills to pay.

No the school won’t sack me because they don’t employ me. The council can and will as they are my employer, they have the same sickness policy as the private sector and as I only work part time I don’t get sick pay. I am in a union and I still don’t have a leg to stand on, I’ve been employed for less than 2 years.

so if I’m I’ll I’m going in. Luckily I clean after school hours and I can self isolate away from others. Yes it’s shit, I don’t agree with it but I need my job

That’s what I’m doing really. They aren’t going to change if everyone just accepts it though, are they? I know it’s not a quick fix, I know one person can’t do it alone.
The fact it’s difficult doesn’t make it reasonable to pass your horrible germs onto other people though, does it?