Are we meant to self-isolate based on coughs that are almost certainly colds?

[kissgoodnightsam]

Tried posting this on another thread but not much luck, so trying again here on a separate thread.

If you have cold symptoms - sore throat, runny nose, plus a cough - have you self-isolated? My ds (2) and I have had this for a week now, we still feel a bit rough and still intermittently coughing. DS definitely had a high temperature but I didn’t. Feels like a bad cold, lots of nose blowing etc. We’ve been SI for 7 days.
Question is, in light of the new guidelines, do I now take my older ds (14) out of school for the next 7 days and make us all self-isolate? Please help - I’m stressed wondering what I should do!! Really don’t think it’s cv as Feels just like a cold got, but still have a slight cough and according to the guidelines.....

I think the advice is for "new" coughs. Plus runny noses and sneezes are rarely symptoms of Corona.

Persistent cough or temperature. Either of them and you're staying in!
If you just have a snuffle and no cough or temp, I'd say you're ok. But don't sneeze or blow your nose in public.... you'll get lynched!

According to the NHS in England, Scotland, Wales and NI you don't. Though they do tell people to clearly avoid other people e.g. you and your son who are unwell.

According to the list of symptoms I've read from other countries you do. Symptoms like runny nose are rare for Covid-19 but some people do have them.

Basically, yes. Because you dont know as C-19 does look like a cold for many.

Gonna be inside for the whole of hay fever season!

Well it was a’new’ cough a week ago. Plus, aren’t you disregarding the guidelines if you still go out with a cough even though it’s accompanied by a runny nose and sneezing. Does the runny nose ‘cancel out’ the cough so it no longer needs to be considered as concerning?

I know it’s a cold, but we’re still coughing, so based on the advice we’re meant to SI. Not to self-diagnose on whether we think it’s Coronavirus or not.

Are we meant to self-isolate based on coughs that are almost certainly colds?

YES.

A runny nose is a symptom of coronavirus. All cold and flu symptoms are.

Yes - your whole household needs to self isolate for 14 days!

Yes. A big, clear yes.

Yes! I hope most of the population either ask or just stay in.

Ok - THANK YOU! I just needed some confirmation amidst the ambiguity. Now I can make the decision to self-isolate everyone knowing I’m not completely over-doing it.

Yes, 14 days.

Again, thank you everyone for responding. I can finally head to bed knowing what to do tomorrow.