Runny nose and breathlessness

[redroses86]

Hello,
I’m not sure where else to ask for advice. I have had what I thought was a ‘bad cold’ since early this week. Loads of snot, headache, slight fever. I thought I was shaking it off and wasn’t worried but yesterday started with breathlessness. I feel like a have an elephant sat on my chest. I’m still snotty and today much more lethargic than I have been earlier in the week.

Everything I’ve read says Coronavirus doesn’t appear to bring a runny nose but I can’t remember feeling this awful for this long with any other illness. I had the flu vaccine too. I’m on Day 5 now and just generally worried that I might have it rather than the common cold.
Has anyone known of it bringing a load of snot with it or do I just need to calm down.
(I ask so I know whether to self isolate, it’s not going to be that easy).

Give 111 a call.
I have a runny nose and slight sore throat. There are other viruses doing the rounds. Try not to worry. Make the call

Make the call op then come back and let us know what they say

I’m not even sure I should call 111 just yet, the media seems to say only call when you deteriorate.
I’m dosed up on paracetamol and don’t have any underlying health issues so I think I’d be very low priority.
As I said it’s the breathlessness that’s worrying me. Has any one else experienced this?

I would call. It will put your mind at rest. Breathelessness is a sympton and fever. You are not wasting time you are being sensible.

Don’t call!! If you’re snotty the likelihood is that it’s not Covid-19. If in doubt complete the 111 on line form. 111 is under immense pressure.

if you stay at home for a week will that make any difference op?

Have just read the guidelines about calling 111. No mention of runny nose. Maybe you have a chest infection OP. A call to the gp may help as you may need antibiotics

can you manage your symptoms op?
dont worry about What it is, just be aware whether you can manage on your own

If we move away from labelling it self isolation in your case, and just think about sensible steps to take because you say the reason you're asking is so you know whether you need to self isolate...

Whatever you have sounds like an illness that makes you too unwell to go out. So there we have sensible step no.1, stay at home. It also sounds like an illness you would want to try hard to avoid spreading in your household. So sensible step 2 is to limit contact with others. I would act as if I had the flu - call for medical help if it gets to the point you don't feel you can cope with self-managing it at home; otherwise wait until you get better before resuming contact and going out.

Hope you feel better soon.

I think many of us are now experiencing minor symptoms

For the last week both myself and 4 colleagues are all experiencing pressure in the chest and breathlessness on exertion

No other symptoms so not allowed to isolate but a definite feeling that it’s not normal

This morning my chest is really uncomfortable but I’ve no fever, feel well and only have a slight cough and that’s only if I go outside. No cold or flu signs

I wouldn’t call 111, we’ve been told explicitly not too

this

I have woke up with a cough but no temperature and generally feel well. (Have had a couple of headaches and felt more tired this week ) Haven't a clue whether I should be self isolating or not.

Please do not call to "put your mind at rest". This is what is going to overwhelm our services: a million small infractions "just in case".

If you start to feel worse - like you cannot cope with breathing by yourself - then call. But also notice if stress and anxiety cause your chest to tighten more, and see if you can relax enough to get to a place where you can feel what's actually going on.

@Everytimeref - If the cough is persistent, i.e. you find you're coughing regularly, then, yes, you stay at home. That's all that's needed to self-isolate: a persistent cough.

Thank you, very helpful advice. I won’t call 111 and will attempt to self isolate. Work next week will be a tricky one but I’ll see ho it goes.

If you look online at the nhs website, it says to only call if you can’t manage at home or you’ve been ill for more than seven days.

Thanks @BertiesLanding that's what I thought. Will see if I continue to cough and follow the necessary procedures.

I had these symptoms all last week, started with a slightly heavy chest that was only really an issue when I moved around and made me cough slightly. Made me a little breathless going up stairs. Then came all the usual cold symptoms, runny nose, sinus headaches, sneezing etc. Yesterday my chest started to feel looser and the heavy feeling has gone, still got a bit of a cold though. Very much doubt it was CV. Apparently a way you can test is take a deep breath then hold your breath for 10 secs, if no cough or pain - CV very unlikely.

Work isn’t the priority: you DEFINITELY need to self-isolate so that you don’t spread it further.

With fever and breathlessness: rest and hydrate, self-isolate completely. It does sound like coronavirus and you need to rest to fight it off.

Don’t ever feel bad about calling 111.

Apparently a way you can test is take a deep breath then hold your breath for 10 secs, if no cough or pain - CV very unlikely.

Source, please?

If you have symptoms, you self-isolate to protect lives!!

FFS the advice is not to call unless you have serious concerns ie you are deteriorating badly. Don't clog up the system.

Don’t ever feel bad about calling 111.

No. Do not call 111 unless you cannot manage on your own. Please.

Advice is clear. We need to follow it to have a hope of managing

1. Fever, self isolate for 7 days
2. New cough, self isolate for 7 days
3. Do NOT phone 111 unless you need medical help

Apparently a way you can test is take a deep breath then hold your breath for 10 secs, if no cough or pain - CV very unlikely.

Facebook nonsense thoroughly discredited on several news sites

”The World Health Organisation has said the most common symptoms are a dry cough, fever, and tiredness, but some people may also experience aches and pains, nasal congestion, a runny nose, sore throat or diarrhoea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Symptoms tend to emerge around five days after catching the virus, although estimates suggest it could be up to 14 days after.“ fullfact.org/health/what-are-symptoms-coronavirus-disease-covid-19/