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

[CovidClara]

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?

Well we are now in Tier 3 (although had only just gone into Tier 2 before the current lockdown). There have been several hotspot areas and the council had set up pop up testing centres in some local communities.

Thanks for answering @Comefromaway.

It’s a shame you’ve gone into a higher tier but it does sound like your local council are at least trying to be proactive beyond the standard government line. I suppose only time will tell whether it will pay off.

I get headaches a fair amount due to my eyes, it's not covid, asking everyone with a headache to self isolate just isn't feasible. Sore throat is more feasible, but I often get strep throat and my gp is great at letting me diagnose myself (i think I'm a carrier and it resurfaces once or twice a year). By the way I didn't really get any symptoms when I had covid, but did have a brief fever lasting a couple of hours, 3 days later I lost taste and smell - if that fever had been at night I might have missed it! (I was already isolating as Dp had covid)

If you see my link above my local council aren't asking people with a headache or sore throat to self-isolate but are encouraging them to get a test. Now my father in law suffers migraines so he isn't going to go running for a test just because he gets a headache. But my husband who works in an environment with several known cases did as a precaution.

Exactly, there are always going to be people who don’t fit the general criteria but most people don’t suffer with chronic headaches or sore throats and it could be a useful early indicator.

My df and DP are both smokers and have smokers coughs. We’re not testing every five minutes but we are alert to any changes or other symptoms. You have to tailor the advice to your specific health issues if there’s a crossover; I would have thought that would be common sense?

Not aimed at anyone in particular I promise, but I do find it odd that people argue so vehemently against measures because they don’t fit their individual circumstances without acknowledging that there is a value in applying them to the majority. It’s a bit of a hangover from the masks arguments, I completely understand that some individuals don’t fit into the criteria easily but that’s no reason for it not to be a wider policy.

I suppose it might be a cultural attitude thing maybe? I just find it odd that people are more inclined to list what they can’t do rather than finding the positives and encouraging others to do it even if they can’t. Massive digression for which I apologise, it just never fails to stand out to me.

fair enough to test and not isolate.
but i have never seen that suggested.
and the fear that you go to work, have a test, stay working until the result, proves surprise surprise you were positive.
you would be in trouble at work surely?

I've woken up today with what I can only describe as a scratchy but incredibly sore throat. Like you've smoked loads and then shouted too
Nothing else apart from sneezing yesterday (I rarely sneeze)
I guess I see how it goes, won't be leaving the house anyway

Headaches are common. In fact I had one last week. Having dealt with hundreds of covid cases with headaches I told myself if it didn't subside with ibuprofen and a good nights sleep I would take a test. It was gone by the morning.
People I have spoken to said that painkillers dulled it not cured it and it lasted for a few days. You know your own body, you know what type of headache is normal for you. If its worse or different take a test!