Could this be Covid? And - HOW?!

[eleventy3isthemagicnumber]

I have a persistent cough and a bit of a sore throat. Plus I felt a bit grotty on day 2, and had a bit of a headache.

If this was normal times I wouldn't think anything of it, it's pretty mild.

I have no temperature or shortness of breath.

Does anyone have any idea of how likely this is to be Covid? (I've sent for a test but just wondering).

Also wondering how on earth I could have caught it, whether it's a common cold or covid, we've been really careful and I've hardly left the house except to go for walks!

Could it just be that I'm run down? Can you get cold symptoms from being run down or does it mean I must have caught something infectious in the last couple of weeks?

Is it a dry cough? Have you lost your sense of smell?
The symptoms and severity seem to vary a lot.

Sounds like hayfever to me, it's very bad at the moment. I know people who don't normally suffer are suffering.

Have other members of the household been out and about?

Could have caught it on a walk. Might be why it's mild (low viral load theory)

Thabks for the replies.

Yes it's a dry cough, no hint of phlegm at all. But I have my sense of smell.

Does it sound like hayfever? I've never had it, but I have had a bit of a cough on and off for a while. If it wasn't covid times I wouldn't have noticed. I live in a town with high pollution normally.

This is different though as it's not just a bit if an occasional tickle, it feels like something started the other day, and is progressing IYSWIM.

How would I know if it's hayfever?

I think it's more likely to be hayfever, yes. Try taking an antihistamine and seeing if that helps.

The last few days? Hayfever. I get scratchy eyes when the pollen count is high and I was just thinking I'd forgotten to put my drops in this morning because I can feel them scratching now. It only happens when pollen is very bad.

It’s very very unlikely you would have caught it on a walk as suggested above. It’s incredibly hard to transmit just walking past someone without them actually coughing in your face. You wouldn’t have got it by simply walking past someone, it can’t jump like a flea.
Great news you’ve got a test.
I agree that it’s most probably hay fever. It makes me feel very run down every year and can trigger tonsillitis, oddly. Take an antihistamine and see if it helps.

Have other members of the household been out and about?

My other half has been to get Click and Collect stuff from the Supermarket and to get milk from the late night garage.

One of my DC and and the next door neighbour's managed to find a way to climb up to have a chat over the fence and were far too close for my liking when I realised what they were up to! But didn't actually come into contact I don't think.

No one else in my family (or next door AFAIK) has symptoms.

I have a new symptom, I sneezed! My eye's aren't at all itchy though. Does everyone get itchy eyes with hayfever?

How would I find out if it's hayfever?

I think I have some piriton somewhere from when DS had a weird itchy reaction to something. I'll have a look...

Oh, and DP went to the GPs for a blood test too.

OP you could be me! I'm struggling with the same question this morning, mild symptoms - dry cough, can't taste anything - but haven't been anywhere much nor has DP, not seen anyone. But we also have done click and collect, and it's the only thing I can think of. Never had hay fever in my life and I'm 65, so I'm very sceptical it could be that.

I don’t get itchy eyes. I cough and sneeze, as does my 7 year old. I often get breathless with it - cetrizine helps.

Sounds like me, I have hay fever and an allergy to pillows, duvet and other soft furnishings at my dp's where I moved at lockdown, need to bring different ones when I move in permanently in a few months. If you are concerned, order a test online

Sneezing is definitely a symptom of hayfever!

I get hayfever and my symptoms tend to be:
-slightly sore and scratchy throat
-sneezing
-if it's particularly annoying, scratchy/gritty eyes

I expect your test will come back negative for covid in which case it probably is hayfever. Antihistamines will sort it and the beconase nasal spray also offers instant relief.

If you are concerned, order a test online I ordered a home test last night but I don't expect it'll be here till tomorrow?

I'm the same! I was just about to start a coronavirus thread for people who think they might have it.

I've been out to aldi and the chippy but all with social distancing and taking all precautions. All less than 15 mins exposure but I could have walked through a cough or something. Just don't know. I work at a dental practice but we've not seen patients. So I'm not sure where I could have actually caught it.

Dramatic reduction in what I can smell and taste for the past few days, followed by a sore throat and croaky voice this morning. Feel fine otherwise. Coughed twice and freaked out.

Went for a drive through test this morning so I'll know soon.

I'm trying to stay sane by telling myself it could be hay fever, or a summer cold. Also only roughly 10% of people who take the test are positive but I can't get over the IS THIS IT? feeling. I'm stuck at home with the kids and far too much time to overthink things.

I was thinking to take an antihistamine to see if it is hay fever but I've never suffered and I don't want it to affect the coronavirus in a negative way as it works on the immune system.

Try and get tested is my advice.

I don't think it sounds impossible for you to have caught it. Your OH or dc could have picked it up and had barely noticeable symptoms, and passed it on, or if someone very infectious and unhygienic packed your click and collect shopping and you handled it only an hour or so later, and touched your face, you could have got it (or any virus) that way. That doesn't mean it is covid, at all, but I wouldn't behave as if it can't be, either. It's good that you're getting the test and presumably all now staying at home.

Just read this and thought it might be useful!

 Coronavirus: Is it hay fever or COVID-19? How to tell the difference news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-is-it-hay-fever-or-covid-19-how-to-tell-the-difference-11996716

I’ve had hay fever this year and I’ve never had it before!! I wake up every morning snuffly. I’m fine all day then it comes back on in the evening

Simple one for heyfever -take an antihistamine! I suffer really badly but my twice daily antihistamine does knock a lot of the symptoms on the head! It clears my sore throat, headache & runny nose for a few hours! Then my symptoms gradually start coming back as the day wears on!

i started getting hayfever last year at the grand old age of 41 so it can come on late

I've done a test now so I'll let you all know what it says.

there's very little community covid spreading right now

I had both sneezing and runny nose as one of the early symptoms but as I also had fever I self isolated. I'm a confirmed case via swab test.

Everyone carries bacteria in their throat that can then multiply and cause illness if you get run down. So it's possible to be ill without coming in contact with anybody.

You don’t always get itchy eyes with allergies / hay fever.

I’ve got chronic allergic rhinitis (wake up with a stuffy nose most mornings) but have never had itchy or swollen eyes.

Some morning I wake up with a sore throat just from breathing through my mouth due to the nasal congestion.