To feel paranoid about having a cough?

[chocolatesaltyballs22]

Started with it yesterday, also feeling snotty but no 'traditional' covid symptoms, Have done two lateral flow tests, both negative Will do another one today when I've been to the pharmacy for more. But I feel like I can't go out anywhere because I'm paranoid about having a cough! I'm pretty certain it's not covid. Stepsons are due to come for 3 nights later and I don't want to pass it to them and have them sent home from school/uni. Do you keep your distance from people (including your own family) if you just have a cold/cough these days?

If you have a cough that is a traditional Covid symptom and you should be doing a PCR test.

Do a PCR and then get back to normal. I get a lot of coughs, if I cough when talking to someone I just excuse myself and lightly say I've had a negative PCR. I'd never leave the house otherwise!

Don't be bothering with the LFTs, you need to be getting a PCR and isolating until the result comes through - less than 24 hours for the four we've done in this house in the last couple of weeks.

My daughter had a cough a couple of weeks back though and I think I've just caught it from her. Hers was most definitely not covid as she had it in July (she also tested). Half of me does think I need a PCR test but I just don't believe it's covid. Can't people just have a common cold any more?

People can of course have the common cold, and it's likely that's what you have. But you don't know for sure, so you need a PCR. That's been the case since testing became widely available, and you should be isolating until you get the result or for ten days.

OK I think I'll book one then. But what do I do about his kids coming? I won't get the result before this evening.

Get a test, a cough is one of the few symptoms you can get a test for. My son has just tested positive on a PCR, he only had a headache but as there are cases in school we had to put he was a close contact, otherwise he didn’t meet the criteria, and lateral flows have been negative. I thought it was just a headache, not covid!

The whole family has covid at the moment. We tested negative for the first 4 days of having symptoms on lateral flow tests. Get a PCR test to be certain.

Do the PCR, and then every time you cough you can mention that you have already tested and it's not Covid.

I agree, it's going to be a long winter of stifling each little cough. I choked on a bit of fig roll the other day while waiting for a tube, and was afraid to get on when it arrived because I was still coughing and my eyes were watering.

Can't people just have a common cold any more
Of course they can, and do. But they can't walk around not knowing if its a cold or covid, and they shouldn't be passing either one around to all and sundry!

Seven negative lateral flows with a positive PCR here. Get tested. Don’t be stupid.

Get a PCR test. Let stepsons/the other parent know so they can make an informed choice.

OK OK, you're all right. I'll book one for today. Thought I was being overly paranoid but obviously not.

If the kids do come I'd ask them to being extra stuff than usual if they do bring things just in case it is covid and then they are living with you for their isolation.

18 months. It's been 18 months and you don't think a cough warrants a PCR test 🤦‍♀️ I just can't. This is why we have higher case numbers than lockdown, the public have been trusted to use common sense and apparently the majority are not capable of that.

Problem is, eldest is going back to uni this weekend. I don't really think they should come until I know it's negative. Plus the youngest would then have to be off school as well.

If you go for a PCR test today, the result will be back tomorrow.

@chocolatesaltyballs22

Problem is, eldest is going back to uni this weekend. I don't really think they should come until I know it's negative. Plus the youngest would then have to be off school as well.

I may have read this wrong but this sounds like you’re looking for an excuse not to test. If you don’t and you have it that means your eldest stepson could be taking it back to uni with them and the other to school.

You have covid symptoms which is what pcrs are to be used for. Isolate until your results are back. It's not rocket science. Yes it could be a cold but you aren't psychic and can't possibly know without the correct test (which is not a lateral flow if you're symptomatic). And whether it's covid or not, if you give it to your relatives and they also develop a new persistent cough THEY will have to isolate and test via PCR. It's not worth the risk. Cancel.

@Idontgiveagriffindamn no I'm really not looking for an excuse not to test, am worried about husband being annoyed that the kids can't come. I absolutely don't want either of them taking it anywhere with them. I've booked one anyway.

Do a pcr

Step sons are part of your household so can technically come but you might want to swap days if possible as they don’t want to catch it!

He can’t be annoyed at you for being ill’

My dd's PCR from the weekend was back at 7am the next day and from other posters on here the waiting times seem to be by the next day.

I don't get it, you can order a PCR test to be sent home to you, why would you not just do it? very quick, not anymore difficult then a LFT. I had a cold a couple of weeks ago and did one, put it in the post box around 3-4pm and got the result next day. Just sent off another one for my son who had been identified by the school as a close contact

Test done. Keep your fingers crossed for me, meant to be going to Spain in early October

Great! Odds are you'll get your negative confirmation through overnight and can carry on without the worry. And if it's positive, far better to know than infect people.