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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

PCR test? I have a cold.

65 replies

SunShinesBrightly · 11/10/2021 17:43

I’ve had a very mild cold Saturday, Sunday and today. Didn’t go out over the weekend mainly because I couldn’t be bothered not because I didn’t feel up to it.
In normal circumstances I would just carry on as ‘normal’.
Bit of a heavy fuzzy head, sniffles, bit tired, tiny bit achy.
I can taste and smell everything, have no Temperature, no fever, no cough...

DH says I need a PCR test. I’m not sure I do. AIBU?
Is everyone testing no matter what?
Is he right?

OP posts:

TheOccupier · 13/10/2021 22:46

*answered

Volhhg · 13/10/2021 23:11

@Gwrach

DS primary school, has requested no children be sent in with common cold symptoms and to test. Return with proof of negative test.

Whilst it's a nightmare to keep him home for the 2 days it takes to test and receive results then send him back, it makes sense as the delta variant has different symptoms.

One school mum however must be costing the NHS a small fortune. She orders 2 PCR tests every Sunday night, just incase the 2 children become unwell in the week, and if they don't become unwell she tests them every Friday evening. Poor children! We have tried to tell her that she could use LF tests if testing for asymptomatic, but she said that's not what she is worried about. She just wants to limit her days off work by having a PCR test ready to go.

How can the school put this in their covid response plan since it directly goes against government PCR test eligibility? It is still the case that you can only request a PCR test for the 3 (I think we're all aware of them by now!) main symptoms. Unless the school are expecting parents to lie on the form or test booking line in order to access a test?

QuestionableMouse · 14/10/2021 00:54

@TheOccupier

All the people insisting that a PCR is warranted for cold symptoms - how is one actually supposed to get one? I am in the same situation as the op, just went on the NHS test site, ammeter all the questions and it says I'm not eligible for a PCR. Are you all just lying on the questionnaire?

In short, yes.

The symptoms for the Delta strain are different yet the official symptom list hasn't been updated. I had a positive test and never had any of the widely known symptoms.

I had a sore throat, stuffy head and exhaustion.

MalteseBubs · 14/10/2021 01:53

Do an LFT and if it's positive get a PCR test done.

The LFT have been very accurate in our household and each time we have tested positive we have also tested positive on the PCR and each time we tested negative we tested negative on the PCR test.

MalteseBubs · 14/10/2021 01:57

DS tested positive last weekend via LFT and also tested positive on PCR

I tested negative on LFT and also negative on PCR which I took the same time as DS.

Today I have really bad symptoms and tested positive despite being double vaccinated so I will be going for a PCR test. I have been coughing lightly the few days but tested negative (until today) on the LFT.

There is no point getting a PCR test done is your LFT is negative.

Paddingtonthebear · 14/10/2021 07:34

Tested negative lft on Sunday and negative pcr on Monday, negative lft Tuesday, positive lft this morning after waking up at 5am with headache and all my teeth hurting. Lft showed positive line in less than 5 mins this morning

Branleuse · 14/10/2021 07:43

Theres some nasty non-covidy viruses going around like there always is, but if its respiratory symptoms then wise to get a pcr. Weve all had to get pcr tests at a drive through centre over the last week and a bit and everyone has been negative on both lft and pcr tests thankfully. Its more important than ever to stay home when ill though if at all possible. I think the days of battling into work or school when streaming with cold are gone.

Alittlebitofthis · 14/10/2021 07:50

I tested positive on Monday with the lft. My pcr also came back positive. The only symptoms I have is those of a cold. My 9 year old has also tested positive on the pcr although his lft was negative. He didn't feel well on Friday, was lethargic and dizzy so we're wandering if he had it then.

Sturmundcalm · 14/10/2021 07:51

the problem with all of the people saying "it's probably Covid" to someone with cold or sinus infection or sore throat symptoms is that for some of us that's every other week for 5 months of the year (mine is due to underlying post-viral fatigue triggered by glandular fever 25 years ago).

i've just had a negative PCR back for a cold that started on Sunday but was shifting into a cough yesterday so booked a test. and if i post that in isolation then there are plenty of people on mumsnet who will say it's probably a false negative and i should isolate anyway.

but they would have said the same 5 weeks ago when my DH had covid but DS and I got (multiple) negative tests despite me having sinus-y symptoms at the same time.

and again 2 weeks ago when i had a headache and sore throat.

how many times are people supposed to self-isolate for?? i'm in Scotland as well so if I go for a PCR everyone in the household is due to isolate until negative result - and my DH is a teacher...

we have someone in the family who is immuno-suppressed so i absolutely don't take this lightly but telling everyone that every cold symptom must be covid really isn't a reasonable way to get through this winter when the supports are being removed - e.g. my DS would get limited access to school work if he's off school for a day a fortnight at a minumum.

HarlanPepper · 14/10/2021 08:38

@Sturmundcalm no-one is saying that every cold symptom 'must be Covid'.

A bit of common sense needed here. If you get a runny nose, but you know that you get a runny nose every other week, then obviously you wouldn't suspect Covid at first. But if you're in an area with lots of Covid cases, or (as in my case) your close contacts have started testing positive, and then you get a runny nose, the suggestion is not to rule out Covid even though it's not an official symptom.

Sturmundcalm · 14/10/2021 08:42

@HarlanPepper - I'm not talking specifically about this thread but generally on these threads, and there are absolutely people who suggest that every cold symptom is Covid and tell people that they are selfish and irresponsible if they follow government advice and only isolate/get a PCR test for the three main symptoms.

And, again, I'm in Scotland - our cases have been really high since mid-August and my local area has only just started to slowly drop...

lockdownmadnessdotcom · 14/10/2021 09:26

@Letsallscreamatthesistene

Hi. Nurse practitioner here. Today my clinic was full of people with the same symptoms as you who didnt want to get a COVID test. Id bet my months wage that half of them have it. Get a PCR test.

Why are people going to see you with a cold/cold symptoms? How on earth are they getting past your receptionists?

Most people can't even get a telephone appointment with much more serious symptoms like breast lumps or dodgy moles.

chocolateisavegetable · 14/10/2021 14:00

Are you all just lying on the questionnaire?

I was told by work to do exactly this.

QuestionableMouse · 14/10/2021 14:12

@MalteseBubs

DS tested positive last weekend via LFT and also tested positive on PCR

I tested negative on LFT and also negative on PCR which I took the same time as DS.

There is no point getting a PCR test done is your LFT is negative.

My LF tests didn't show a positive until after the positive PCR test.

headinthecloudsnow · 14/10/2021 14:30

@MalteseBubs there definitely is a point getting a PCR if LFT negative. I am positive on PCR, all my LFTs negative including ones I have done just out of interest at home.

Not being arsey- just don't want others to read your post and not test.

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