Cold symptoms: to pcr or not pcr?

[Portamortar]

Interested in others’ opinions as I’m quite torn.

According to the Government we should PCR if we have the following symptoms: cough, temperature, change in sense of smell/ taste.
(There are other criteria, such as close contacts etc which are not relevant here).

I have a cold (stuffy/ runny nose and sneezing) but no other symptoms. Do I lie about my symptoms and get a PCR or keep taking LFTs (all negative so far) and hope for the best?

Download the zoe app, put in your symptoms and it'll likely tell you to take a test

I have just booked one, I have headache, sore throat, cold symptoms plus have been a close contact 3 days ago. It probably isn't covidbut I want to be sure.

Lfts. If start coughing or temp pcr

It’s been reported that omicron variant presents more with cold type symptoms than the typical COVID symptoms so it’s probably worth getting a pcr

@blackcurrantjam

Lfts. If start coughing or temp pcr

My dh never had either of those symptoms. He had runny/snotty nose, scratchy throat and slight headache.

I had a cough that went away for a couple of days. I then started back with it plus had a blocked nose and was sneezing. I tested to rule it out but it was positive.

Was also negative on the nose and throat LFT.

I checked the government guidance earlier and it says if you've been in close contact with somebody with covid, you should LFT, unless you have a cough/temp/change of taste or smell in which case you should have a PCR.

Please don’t get a PCR without symptoms by lying, I’m an essential worker who couldn’t get either a drive through or postal test for 5 days when I needed one.

If you all keep getting PCR’s for no reason you’re contributing to NHS staffing issues, amongst others.

Those are the symptoms I started with when I had covid. I never had a temperature, lost sense of smell/taste after a few days and only got a cough 5 days after cold symptoms started.

My dcs both had positive pcrs and only ever got mild cold symptoms, no cough or temp at all.

I'd book a pcr to be on the safe side.

On one hand, yes it’s been reported that Omicron has cold like symptoms, so it seems sensible to get a test (DD1 had Covid months ago with only a snotty nose - although her LFT was positive).

On the other hard, I assume the government hasn’t updated the symptoms for a reason. Perhaps the system can’t handle everyone with a sniffle getting a PCR?

I’m also concerned I might have to start living at the test centre if I go every time one of us has a headache/ cold!

@HippeePrincess

Please don’t get a PCR without symptoms by lying, I’m an essential worker who couldn’t get either a drive through or postal test for 5 days when I needed one.

If you all keep getting PCR’s for no reason you’re contributing to NHS staffing issues, amongst others.

I'm sorry but the top symptoms of omicron are the same as the common cold. The 3 symptoms the UK government says you need to get a PCR are way down the list. Blame the government for lack of tests not the people taking them

I currently have Covid again (lucky me) - this time it's like a really nasty head cold - loads of snot, sore throat, banging headache

I tested + via LFT Tuesday - PCR confirmed on Weds

That said 2 of my 3 kids also have bed colds but so far no + LFT (doing them daily) so I may just be unlucky and have a cold and Covid.

I'd do daily LF for now - my friend had her booster Sunday - felt ill (coldy) afterwards and got a +LFT yesterday

it's odd this strain!

Thing is, if you're testing negative on the lfts you're probably not very infectious same with no cough. Also if youve no temp, low viral load ? I'm no medic but it's true about doing tests equals using resources and isolating is very disruptive

www.google.com/amp/s/joinzoe.com/learn/omicron-symptoms.amp