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?

Are you all isolating? That’s not clear from your posts.

you don't need your husbands permission to get a test

@HeyDemonsItsYaGirl

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

Runny nose is a pretty common covid symptom.

Runny nose and cold symptoms can be Covid symptoms actually.
Hope you are negative OP but you're doing the right thing getting a test.
Obviously DH will need to self-isolate as well (plus anyone else in the household) until you know it's not for sure.

You're very sensible to get tested.
We are advising people to get tested if they are isolating as contacts if they are feeling unwell at all, with cold symptoms, diarrhoea, headaches etc.
These are symptoms that have been reported from people who have had covid so that's now the advice (in wales anyway)

The reason you are advised not to take LFT tests with symptoms is that they are less accurate. So they can give false negatives- meaning people who think they have done the right thing then go out and unwittingly infect others.

You have symptoms. Loss of smell is a definite warning sign. Isolate, along with your household - you can leave if you get a negative PCR.

@HeyDemonsItsYaGirl

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

They are not the 'main 3' but they can be symptoms, that's all some people have.

I agree with you... get a test.

OP is your husband isolating until you get your results?

@Aprilx if you've developed a cough you need to isolate and do a PCR test, not rely on a lateral flow.

When I had Covid it started with a slightly sore throat, mild headache and runny nose. I was tested because DS had a very high fever that wasn't responding to paracetamol or ibuprofen so he was taken into hospital and I was tested with him. Both positive. A few days later I lost my sense of smell, my headache got a lot worse and my temperature shot up, couple of days after that I got the cough. DH had much milder symptoms nothing more than you'd describe as a bit of a cold. You've done the right thing.

@Aprilx

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.

You need to get a PCR test and self isolate April as you have symptoms. LFTs are for people with no symptoms. Feel better soon.