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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Wibu to take a test

37 replies

Northernsoulgirl45 · 09/08/2020 08:15

So I had a sore throat which developed into a blocked up nose. A very slight cough but not persistent or outside of normal. So imo a common cold.
I did not have the red flag symptoms for Covid but given I had recently had a hospital appointment and I live with an extremely clinically vulnerable person I took the test. A sore throat is apparently a reason for testing in other countries too. It was negative.
Was it prudent to take the test or did I waste NHS resources?

OP posts:
Original poster
Northernsoulgirl45 · 09/08/2020 09:07

Thank you for votes.

OP posts:
Seashell80 · 09/08/2020 09:08

Sounds very sensible to me, especially if you live with a vulnerable person. I had similar symptoms last week and was 99.9% sure it was a bog standard cold or really bad hay fever but I still got a test-I work in an Opticians and get quite close to people so it seemed the responsible thing to do. Mine was also negative.

pearpickingporky84 · 09/08/2020 09:11

You did the right thing. The definition of ‘persistent cough’ is very woolly and open to interpretation, leads to a lot of people not getting tested because they are worried that they don’t make the definition.
I work in the NHS and am much more worried about people not getting tested when they should than too many people being tested!

Mindymomo · 09/08/2020 09:27

You definitely did the right thing. If everybody did, then we would be in a better place. Just a slight cough to you could expose vulnerable people. When you see 180,000 tests are being done in uk every day and around 700 tests positive.

stayathomer · 09/08/2020 09:43

I had a headache and was very tired, no temp, no cough, no loss of anything and took a test, thinking I was being unreasonable too, the day I got the results I was laid up in bed having difficulty breathing and I had tested positive. As said above everyone should be thinking it's more likely it's covid, it could help someone

Original poster
Northernsoulgirl45 · 09/08/2020 09:51

Hope you are ok now stayathomer it is going to be a reakly hard winter I feel. Thsnkvyou for replies everyone.

OP posts:
stayathomer · 09/08/2020 09:55

Thanks OPFlowersCakeBrew

candyfloss3 · 09/08/2020 10:00

I’m glad that your tests were negative. I think it was very reassuring for you, and for others, to know that your symptoms are those of a cold. I am wondering how to cope with this. Out of interest, how did you manage to get tested? It seems that to get a test a person needs to have at least 1 of the symptoms of fever/continuous cough/loss of small or taste. Sore throat isn’t one of them...?

fuckingcovid · 09/08/2020 10:08

Sensible thing to do.

Original poster
Northernsoulgirl45 · 09/08/2020 11:08

I filled out the online request. I think I said I had symptoms on one question but I was honest and said that I didn't currently have the red flag symptoms. It still allowed me to book a test.

OP posts:
KickedTheCatBiscuits · 09/08/2020 11:25

I've booked a rest for tomorrow.
Generally feeling rough, achy and have had a headache for days.
I cough a bit bit I'm a smoker so...

I'm not in UK so have to pay 65 EUR for it.

A friends DH in UK tested positive with no symptoms at all.

KickedTheCatBiscuits · 09/08/2020 11:26

*Test obvs

Original poster
Northernsoulgirl45 · 09/08/2020 11:36

Thank you candy.

OP posts:
Original poster
Northernsoulgirl45 · 09/08/2020 11:36

Hope you get a negative kicked.

OP posts:
candyfloss3 · 09/08/2020 11:41

Thank you for your reply Northern

blacktop · 09/08/2020 11:44

Honestly? I'm shocked at the amount of people getting tested, not even just them but their whole families, when they have none of the 3 symptoms that qualify you for a test. The amount of threads on here where kids have a cold and everyone is getting tested is shocking. It's seriously wasteful and no other sectors of the NHS would test for something you don't have symptoms of.

That said, in your situation you say you did have a cough, so I don't think you are one of the worst offenders. A cough is on the list, even if it wasn't the specified cough I can understand why you did it.

I am sick of seeing people tell others to lie and get a test because their kid has a runny nose though!!

CardsforKittens · 09/08/2020 11:57

The amount of threads on here where kids have a cold and everyone is getting tested is shocking.

I haven’t been tested (no symptoms) but I can see how symptoms of a cold could lead to testing. Apart from anything else, if you’ve been exposed to the common cold virus you could also have been exposed to the Covid-19 virus. I haven’t had a cold since before lockdown because social distancing means less exposure to cold viruses.

blacktop · 09/08/2020 12:07

I can see how symptoms of a cold could lead to testing. Apart from anything else, if you’ve been exposed to the common cold virus you could also have been exposed to the Covid-19 virus.

There is a reason the guidelines give 3 symptoms, of which you need to have at least one to get tested. (outwith any track and trace etc) you have detailed the reason perfectly.

The NHS doesn't do any testing based on 'you could have been exposed to' - why should it be any different for Covid?

The guidelines are there to follow, not to ignore because 'if you have been exposed to a cold you could have been exposed to covid' Confused

RabbitsAreBrave · 09/08/2020 12:14

I had similar symptoms and had a test last week (negative). We all got tested because my youngest had the same and developed a high temperature with it and I needed to be able to go to work.

Youngest spikes a temperature with every little sniffle so I suspect this will become a very regular thing for us through the winter. I’m not in a position to self isolate for 14 days every time she has a temp so we will need to test. I thought that’s part of the reason for having the tests in the first place.

CardsforKittens · 09/08/2020 12:24

blacktop Yes, but the symptoms of a cold can include some of the symptoms for which people are expected to be tested. That’s why these symptoms can lead to testing. You can be outraged about this all you want, but some people get a cough and a temperature when they have a cold.

blacktop · 09/08/2020 12:31

but the symptoms of a cold can include some of the symptoms for which people are expected to be tested. That’s why these symptoms can lead to testing.

I think you misunderstood my post. I was referring to people who don't have any of the symptoms for which you are expected to be tested, not those that do.

You can be outraged about this all you want, but some people get a cough and a temperature when they have a cold.

I'm not outraged. I just think people are being ridiculous. Just to clarify though, if they had a temperature they would need a test. I was talking about people who don't have any of the 3 symptoms that dictate you get tested.

ChristmasFluff · 09/08/2020 12:51

I work with vulnerable people. Our organisation insists on tests for any symptom if being unwell. I fully back them, as this virus is pretty much an unknown - god knows where they got their 'three symptoms' from. Probably the same place as their inadequate and nonsensical advice to care homes......

The fact that government is trying to push regular testing on care staff who are symptom-free would suggest that there are plenty of tests to go around.

And since apparently you can have this deadly virus and be completely symptom-free, it would make sense to get a test if you have some sort of symptoms of illness.

SteelyPanther · 09/08/2020 13:05

No, you should have taken the test.
Any cold or flu symptoms need testing.

blacktop · 09/08/2020 13:13

Any cold or flu symptoms need testing.

Is this just your opinion? It's not the NHS guide for testing? Are you in a different country?

SteelyPanther · 09/08/2020 13:22

@blacktop

Any cold or flu symptoms need testing.

Is this just your opinion? It's not the NHS guide for testing? Are you in a different country?

You do not need any of the official symptoms to get a test. I was told to get a test when I had tonsillitis, as was a work mates relative. My relative, who had a positive test, did not have any of the official symptoms. He works for the NHS and was instructed to by his boss. Anything else you’d like to know ?