It's NOT just a cold

[Tatapie]

AIBU to think the NHS should change the "if you have one of the 3 main symptoms" advice for Covid testing to "if you think you've got a cold please get a test" . Two people I know have recently tested positive and had only what they describe as normal cold symptoms. Unfortunately one of them persisted in thinking it was a cold until a close contact tested positive and they'd been to work etc in the interim.
It seemed in March the gov / nhs definitely didn't want everyone with a sniffle getting tested but I wonder if that has/ should change. Tier4.

Apparently, although I can be transmitted after 10days, the rate of transmission drops quite a lot so it was a balancing act between isolation and compliance. You do have to wonder if that change has had an effect on the rate of infection though.

Agree. My husband and I both had Covid over Christmas.

He was absolutely adamant that he couldn't have Covid, that it was just a cold, or maybe flu, until his test came back positive.

I think the attempt to distinguish Covid symptoms from anything else is very damaging. It makes it easy to rationalize away the possibility that it could be Covid. But it's far better to get a test if you are unwell at all and test negative than to not get a test and end up infecting someone vulnerable.

Loose teeth can be another symptom apparently.

I am taking part in a Covid vaccine trial and at the first session where we were asked lots of questions I was asked about any loose teeth. When I did a double-take the doctor filling in the forms assured me that this had been noticed in some people with the viros

@Minky37

Yes I wonder about this too. DH and I have had muscle aches but no temp, cough or changes in smell or taste. On this basis we wouldn’t be entitled to an nhs test. Tier 4 too.

So I went for a test on the 4th. I have had no cough, or temp but muscle aches, felt like all my lymph glands were up, dodgy stomach, headaches and (me) a very red eye. It’s come back positive.