To have a PCR Covid test

[Lemonwoe]

I’ve got what feels like a bog standard cold: nose is dripping like a tap, congestion, sneezing and a mild headache. No temperature, but have no sense of smell: can’t smell perfume or Vick’s at all.

There has been an increase of Covid in our local area (400+ per 100k), and I’ve been out and about at the weekend (within the rules)

I’m pretty sure it’s just a bog standard cold, but as my sense of smell has gone, I think the sensible thing to do is a PCR test, just to make sure I don’t have Covid.

DH thinks I’m being dramatic (in fairness, I can be a bit dramatic and a bit of a worrier) and have no need to be wasting time and resources on a PCR test for just a cold. Aibu?

you meet the criteria for when govt want you to test. You're not supposed to decide -- when you meet criterion, you're supposed to get a test (and isolate until result comes back negative)

Hope you feel much better, soon

What makes your DH think ignoring one of the main criteria for covid is dramatic? Of course yanbu to have a test.

My friends dp had what he though was a cold but he started coughing and tested positive. He then went on to loose his sense of smell and was very sick

You would be unreasonable to not have a test and for you and the rest of the household to isolate until you get a negative result. If people could just know they don’t have covid then there would be no need for testing. If you have lost your sense of smell then you need to isolate and test. The rules have been clear for a while.

Cold like symptoms especially sneezing in the vaccinated are covid symptoms too.

You aren't being dramatic, I had what I was sure was just a cold but couldn't smell when I had covid. I did gradually feel worse over the days/weeks I had it but I was so sure it was just a cold until I lost my sense of smell.

Go get a test! I've had 6 PCR tests (all negative!) But would much rather get tested than sit and be anxious about is it/isn't it.

Should have said: I’ve ordered the PCR test to take at home: we have lateral flow tests at home but the recommendation is that with symptoms you should take a PCR test. I’m WFH so will self isolate easily

Definitely the sensible thing to do is get a test, loss of smell is one of the 3 main symptoms and you and your family should isolate until you get result. Could be just a cold, but not smelling Vicks, your loss of smell must be bad.

It sounds very much like a cold and if your nose is bunged up it is not really surprising you can’t smell. But I don’t think tests are in short supply at the moment, so it might be worth finding out for sure.

I have come down with a cough and cold the last couple of days and have been worried other people would assume I have COVID, I know it isn’t as I do lateral flow tests.

My hunch is hay fever but absolutely test! Rule it out.

Please just get tested. We are all geared up for testing now, the costs are sunk. Lots of people do tests that come back negative every day, so what? Others will be positve and it is very, very common to start off thinking "it's just a cold".

Get the test - one of my friends tested positive with a very mild stuffed nose.

@Lemonwoe

Should have said: I’ve ordered the PCR test to take at home: we have lateral flow tests at home but the recommendation is that with symptoms you should take a PCR test. I’m WFH so will self isolate easily

Good. Don’t forget that the rest of your household must also isolate.

@Lemonwoe

I’ve got what feels like a bog standard cold: nose is dripping like a tap, congestion, sneezing and a mild headache. No temperature, but have no sense of smell: can’t smell perfume or Vick’s at all.

There has been an increase of Covid in our local area (400+ per 100k), and I’ve been out and about at the weekend (within the rules)

I’m pretty sure it’s just a bog standard cold, but as my sense of smell has gone, I think the sensible thing to do is a PCR test, just to make sure I don’t have Covid.

DH thinks I’m being dramatic (in fairness, I can be a bit dramatic and a bit of a worrier) and have no need to be wasting time and resources on a PCR test for just a cold. Aibu?

How symptomatic would your idiot of a husband like you to be before you get tested? It’s idiots like him who are keeping this crap going.

Sneezing and a runny nose aren't COVID symptoms, but you can have a cold AND COVID at the same time. Do a test.

Yanbu. I've had a PCR today as I feel crappy, although I've had negative lateral flows over the last week and have none of the 3 main symptoms.

Go get a full test

I dont think PCR tests are in high demand so your not wasting anything.

When I lost my smell I had zero other symptoms. I had no blocked nose. I could spray airfreshner and not smell it. Eat garlic and not taste it. Yours sounds due to blocked sinus but it's a symptom so you should test

It's very sad that a shortage of tests in our govs piss poor reaction to covid has made people feel bad about getting a test.
Op get a test.

DD had a dripping nose & GP friend told me to get her tested. Came back positive, no other symptoms & was right as rain in a few days.

Was your lateral flow test negative? They don’t “not work” if you’ve got symptoms.

You’re absolutely right to be doing a PCR test. Everyone needs to be isolating until you get a negative result.

@TheVanguardSix

My hunch is hay fever but absolutely test! Rule it out.

You don’t usually lose your sense of smell with hay fever though.

Definitely just feels like a bog standard cold. Lateral flow test was negative. I don’t think I’ve got Covid tbh: but just think it’s sensible to follow the guidelines and get the test

You have one of the main symptoms (loss of smell) so of course you need a PCR test and you and your household need to isolate

I went for a test today because I'm had a tickly throat that has turned into a cough. 99% sure it's not Covid - no temp or loss of taste/smell, I have a sniffly nose and the cough feels more mucusy than dry, but they want you to take a test with any one of the 3 main symptoms whatever your gut feeling is, so you can't say you're being unreasonable for doing just that!