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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Headache? Sore throat? Go and get an covid test?

108 replies

CovidClara · 26/11/2020 23:23

The AIBU is that

AIBU to ask the government to update the early symptoms of Covid?

I had the first symptoms on Tuesday having contracted it on Friday. The symptoms were headache I couldn't shift plus sore throat that didn't get worse/swell up

Lost smell on Friday. Took a test - positive, I know that the only place I was exposed was on the previous Friday - as the 2 people I was with also tested positive and for 1 it was the only time they had left the house . I didn't get a cough for many days into covid

To date I have told 7 people with a headache and sore throat to get a CV19 test. They have ALL tested positive despite none of them meeting the criteria for a test.

AIBU to ask that the government updates the symptoms for testing to include a headache and sore throat?

OP posts:
chubbycheeks26 · 27/11/2020 01:08

@CovidClara

No it's not more of a sign. I know of casss who have had a fever, it's a common symptom, that's why it's on the list. Ridiculous symptom really as yes, a temp is far more common in all sorts of infections than a sore throat, I mean I'd get a temp with a UTI or kidney infection (not a sore throat) and they'd probably put you on a covid ward. Headaches are quite common with infections too as well as in general.

What I'm getting at is the symptoms, bar loss of taste and smell are very generic symptoms so we can't add the all to the list or the majority of the population will be testing and isolating, they won't be able to keep up with it.

chubbycheeks26 · 27/11/2020 01:08

*cases

Original poster
CovidClara · 27/11/2020 02:08

[quote chubbycheeks26]@CovidClara

No it's not more of a sign. I know of casss who have had a fever, it's a common symptom, that's why it's on the list. Ridiculous symptom really as yes, a temp is far more common in all sorts of infections than a sore throat, I mean I'd get a temp with a UTI or kidney infection (not a sore throat) and they'd probably put you on a covid ward. Headaches are quite common with infections too as well as in general.

What I'm getting at is the symptoms, bar loss of taste and smell are very generic symptoms so we can't add the all to the list or the majority of the population will be testing and isolating, they won't be able to keep up with it.[/quote]
5 people in my family

not a hint of a temp between us?

Loss of smell seems to kick in at day 4
Headache and sore throat at day 1?

3 days of possibly infecting others?

OP posts:
SnowWhitesRestingBitchFace · 27/11/2020 02:20

I couldn't agree with this more.

I've had covid for at least 2 weeks now but only found out officially on Saturday. Thankfully within that time I have left the house as have been really poorly with what I thought was the flu. Constant headache (that was so bad last night I genuinely thought I was going to have to get DH to phone for an ambulance), aches and pains, sickness. These have been my main symptoms. I feel utterly horrendous and genuinely can't remember what it feels like to be well.

Rarotonga2 · 27/11/2020 04:04

If you use the Zoe research app (Covid symptom tracker) and report headache and sore throat, they invite you to do a test. I have experienced this twice. Both times I received a negative result.

DanielRicciardosSmile · 27/11/2020 06:09

It wasn't a sign for me. I tested positive at the start of November and didn't have a headache or a sore throat. So it's not universal.

Dee1975 · 27/11/2020 06:20

As many posters have said, headache and sore throat are v common. Most of the country would be SI and getting tests on a regular basis! The government has been clear that many people
Have no or little symptoms. Kind of one of the reasons why we have restrictions / lockdown.

maddening · 27/11/2020 06:29

They should make it easier to just get a test with a quick result. Eg not the main symptoms then the household does not need to isolate while you get the test, only on a positive result. If I have the mild symptoms Monday, straight in for test, results same or next day, negative go about BAU, positive then you have caight it earlier and can isolate. This would massively help reduce the infection rate.

EveryDayIsADuvetDay · 27/11/2020 06:41

There has been quite a lot of gov and media coverage that many people with Covid are asymptomatic.
You state that you and 7 others you've spoken to have been tested although not "meeting the criteria" - so you were not refused a test, or did you all have to pay for private tests?
Which would indicate that the list of common symptoms is not a criteria for having a test.
I don't understand what you are asking for?

I had a test early in May, because I had diarrhea, when ability to get tested was more restricted than now. The test was negative, but there was no question that I couldn't have a test; diarrhea was known to be associated with Covid, even though not on the NHS list of symptoms.

Skipsurvey · 27/11/2020 06:44

yabu
you cannot get time off work for those symptoms

Skipsurvey · 27/11/2020 06:46

but you can keep your distance from people whatever your symptoms, wear a mask, wash your hands

Skipsurvey · 27/11/2020 06:47

you wont be infecting others @CovidClara if you are suitably distant

Northernsoullover · 27/11/2020 06:58

I've just finished as a contact tracer (I would like to point out that I was extremely busy and didn't work for Serco) here is my anecdata. I estimate 90% of cases had a headache. 60% had anosmia. Fever? 20%. Very few had fever. Headache wasn't even listed as a symptom we had to record that in a separate box under 'other'. Approximately half of the people said they thought it was 'just' a cold. Most people didn't even think to get a test until the anosmia kicked in unless they knew they had been in contact with a case.
There must be hundreds of undiagnosed cases spreading away merrily.
It infuriates me that the government has not broadened the criteria. It also infuriates me when I see mumsnetters telling concerned posters NOT to test if they don't have one of the big three. We have the capacity to test now. Please if you think you have a cold, test! If you have an unexplained headache, test! It is NOT a waste of a test.
Whole households test when they have had a brief passing with a case but don't have a single symptom. I'd argue that is a waste of a test.
We will never get on top of this if we do not broaden the criteria.

ShitXmasCracker · 27/11/2020 07:01

A strange, severe headache and body aches and pains were the first symptoms in all the adults and teenagers I’ve known who then tested positive (work in education, so that’s a lot of people!).

tackiestones · 27/11/2020 07:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Mummadeeze · 27/11/2020 07:08

I agree, I had sore throat, headache, then all body aches. No temperature or cough at all. I only lost my taste and smell about 4 days in. I knew I had Covid though by how ill I felt. It wasn’t a normal headache and sore throat as I felt wiped out at the same time.

Benjispruce2 · 27/11/2020 07:08

I’ve had a vice like headache and I’ve been inexplicably tired for the last week. Falling asleep by 9 and struggling to get up at 7. My top teeth and cheeks ached but that’s gone now.It started with an itchy, runny nose and sneezing.I haven’t got a test as not symptoms on the app. I work in primary school.

megletthesecond · 27/11/2020 07:10

Yanbu. I think we're still in this mess because of the government's weird refusal to expand the list of symptoms. The WHO have a much bigger list I believe.

junglepie · 27/11/2020 07:15

interesting thread. I have had a hideous headache since Tuesday evening. Goes away briefly with ibuprofen/paracetamol but keeps returning. I've been awake sine 4am with it Sad I do also feel exhausted - BUT I have had a really, really stressful week at work (NHS!) so had put it down to that. Can't get tested as dont have any official symptoms - so who knows? Although I am collecting my box of lateral flow tests today, we are now going to test ourselves twice a week so at least I will be able to check.

NewLockdownNewMe · 27/11/2020 07:16

I’ve not been able to pin down the meaning of “asymptomatic” as used by the government. Does it mean people who feel utterly well, or does it include people who have symptoms, just not the top three?

ThatsNotYourPassword · 27/11/2020 07:19

My student son has tested positive and his only symptoms were tiredness and feeling viral. Now he also has a sore throat.

I did tell him to get tested, because although there are classic symptoms, it’s also documented that some people have hardly any symptoms.

You need to know if you’ve had Covid for future reference as much as for when you’re actually suffering the virus. I’m thinking about ongoing symptoms etc - long Covid- it’ll ease diagnosis if you can say I had Covid at such and a date.

I can’t understand why you wouldn’t get tested if at all possible. Surely they point is that some tests will be positive and some negative. It’s a virus - it affects people differently.

Girlintheframe · 27/11/2020 07:23

My son (20) had Covid. The was contacted through Test and Trace.
His first and only symptoms was a raging headache for 4 days and a sore throat.

Benjispruce2 · 27/11/2020 07:24

A big factor in it getting tested is having to take a couple of days off work while you await results. Major impact in schools and my headteacher doesn’t support it unless you have the app symptoms.

Skipsurvey · 27/11/2020 07:26

you cant get a test if you have to go out to work and your symptoms dont fit the criteria

halloween88 · 27/11/2020 07:28

Due to my own personal experience, I too think the 'top 3' symptoms on the NHS website seem outdated at this stage in the pandemic.
I had COVID (confirmed) last month and started with a terrible headache I couldn't shift, sore throat, general fatigue, general feeling of being unwell and a funny taste in my mouth.
Luckily I was already isolating due to a contact but had I not been, I definitely would have gone out of my house feeling like that and potentially spread it to lots of people as my symptoms weren't test worthy. My loss of taste and smell didn't happen until day 5. That's when I got a test and it was positive.

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