What exactly is a "new persistent cough"?

[sluj]

The definition of a persistent cough is one you have had for a while and won't go away. If that's the case, how can it be a "new" cough?
I'm expecting some confusion at work tomorrow about who should self isolate on this basis

It’s ‘continuous cough’ isn’t it? But yes, I want to know what exactly is meant by that too.

The BBC are reporting it as a persistent cough in their headlines. It's too open to individual interpretation , isn't it?

It's a new cough that's consistently happening throughout the day, ie an actual cough rather than just a throat irritation.

I think Dominic Raab demonstrated the "consistent cough" very well the other day

Dry cough also.

I don't understand. I have a cold. Does that mean I SI ? Or is it just new colds. More clarity needed!

I am the same, have a cold with a bit of a cough and not sure what I am supposed to do!

This is super confusing. Originally it said fever AND cough, now BBC saying fever OR cough or any symptoms.

I just had that for 5 weeks.

It was a bad chest infection tho...no coronavirus had left China at that time

My family have all had coughs since early January - first to succumb was reception aged DC1 but the rest of us all followed. DC2 has basically had a cough since 2nd week of September. Responds to inhaler but too young to be diagnosed as asthmatic.

We're working on the assumption that this is not Covid 19 because we've had it so long, no temperature and no travel...

Hopefully we're not being unreasonable!

It’s clear they’re not talking about snotty noses and typical cold symptoms.
NHS 111 clearly outlines the main symptoms.

Self isolate for a cold if you want though 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

New cough from when? I’ve had a cold since Monday, not coughing very often but still have a cough.

If you've got a cold you don't need to self isolate. If you've got a new persistent dry cough you do.
If you've had a cough for two weeks you don't.

HTH.

Flamingo but a cough IS a cold symptom. They are saying isolate if you have a cough OR temp, regardless of if it appears to be with a cold.

What about sore throats? I thought that was a symptom at the start?

A cough which is continous throughout the day rather than a throat irritation, a result of breathing something in or from choking. New I suppose there is room for interpretation but it is something which occurred in the past week or few days. Or develops from now on.

I've had a cough since the weekend, with a sore throat. Do I self isolate at this point or is it pointless as I've been out and about all week? I don't think that's a dimwitted question at all, the advice was not clear at all. DS started with a cough last night, do I keep him at home for a week? If not, why not? If DD wakes up the morning having caught whatever me and DS have does she get kept off for a week?

@FluffyAragog you should self isolate for the next 3 days. If your children's symptoms match the continuous cough or high fever they should be kept off for a week.

It's a good question and definitely open to interpretation.

I wondered if new meant as opposed to coughs you get from asthma or smoking? As in from a chronic condition rather than acute.

I wondered if new meant as opposed to coughs you get from asthma or smoking? As in from a chronic condition rather than acute.

New means not pre-existing, like the same as every other time anyone uses the word new.

Anyone with a chronic condition should already be taking additional precautions and should absolutely self isolate if they develop symptoms as they're more susceptible to dangerous illnesses.

It's really not a difficult concept.

They've changed it from a cough and a fever to a cough or a fever. From what the Medical Officer said, the cough would be infectious for up to 7 days so if you have been coughing for longer then there's no need to isolate.

I'm glad I'm not the only confused one. I've had a sore throat, persistent cough and snotty nose since Sunday. Went to work as normal on monday and tuesday but after speaking to my boss, decided to wfh yesterday and today. Mainly to put others at ease (was getting worried looks on the train)I'm feeling much better today - sore throat and runny nose are better and I'm hardly coughing at all now. Earlier today I told my boss there would be no reason to stay at home again tomorrow but now, with these rules, I have no idea what to do. DH thinks I need to self isolate and is now refusing to be in the same room as me - despite us living in close proximity, sleeping in the same bed etc all week.

I'm desperate to get out in the fresh air and stretch my legs after two days at home (haven't been out or had any visitors at all, so effectively already self isolating). As I said, I now feel a million times better and full of energy but I really don't want to put others at risk. On the other hand, I am 99.9999% convinced my symptoms were nothing to do with coronavirus.

Supposed to be going on holiday next thursday (in UK, not attending any large scale events) and right now I'm hoping I can still go, assuming that my isolation period started yesterday so will end on Tuesday evening? Is this extraordinarily selfish or a fair, porportionate reaction given the type of symptoms I have had?

So I should be self isolate then because I have a cough, sneezing, sore throat, and headache since Tuesday so does my 2year old Ds.

@tigerwhocametoT yeah self isolate