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Original poster

Can Covid start with cold symptoms?

42 replies

Blueraincoatyellowraincoat · 31/07/2020 07:40

Came back from (UK, socially distanced) holiday yesterday and now have a stinking cold - nose running, sneezing, thick head. Never had a bad cold in the height of summer before Confused

Does this sound like it could be Covid? Have literally none of the typical symptoms AFAIK, but maybe it starts like this sometimes?

OP posts:
mynameisnotmichaelcaine · 31/07/2020 07:42

I don't think so, but I think it's worth getting a test and isolating your household until you do.

AccountAntsy · 31/07/2020 07:42

It can, but it’s still more likely to be a cold or hay fever. It’s fairly easy to get tested now, just book a test and put your mind at rest.

Original poster
Blueraincoatyellowraincoat · 31/07/2020 07:43

Thanks - but how would you get a test if you don’t have the symptoms? I don’t have temperature, cough, sore throat, lack of smell...

OP posts:
curlyrebel · 31/07/2020 07:48

I also have a bad cold that's knocked me out a bit. No coughing or temperature though. I used the NHS symptom checker which said it's unlikely to be covid. You could try it yourself. I don't think you'll be able to test unless you have one of the Covid symptoms.

Original poster
Blueraincoatyellowraincoat · 31/07/2020 07:52

@curlyrebel yes that’s what I thought regarding tests (a friend got one but she had temp).

I will isolate until it’s clear what it is though.

OP posts:
jomaIone · 31/07/2020 07:56

You can definitely get colds in summer, and if you're just back from your holidays, it's probably told early to have caught it there. I would give it a few days and see if you develop a cough. Otherwise, paracetamol and rest.

ChristmasinJune · 31/07/2020 07:59

It's very easy to get a test though so why would you wait?

Just tick the box that says you have symptoms and away you go..... nobody is checking up because they want as many people as possible to get tested.

ChristmasinJune · 31/07/2020 08:01

@jomaIone

You can definitely get colds in summer, and if you're just back from your holidays, it's probably told early to have caught it there. I would give it a few days and see if you develop a cough. Otherwise, paracetamol and rest.
Why are there so many posters still trying to talk others out of getting a test?? I find this infuriating.

They're not in short supply now, they're easy to get hold of, usually very local, and the results come back very quickly.

megletthesecond · 31/07/2020 08:04

Just get a test. It's still a new virus that we need to learn about.

LemonTT · 31/07/2020 08:04

Fgs there are tests aplenty. Tick for one symptom

AnyFucker · 31/07/2020 08:10

Get a test

It is more likely to be a summer cold though, some of the worst stinkers I have had have been at this time of year

Porcupineinwaiting · 31/07/2020 08:14

Yes it can , although like others I think a cold is more likely. But yes, get a test. There's plenty of spare capacity at the moment.

FFSFFSFFS · 31/07/2020 08:16

You can get a test without saying you have a symptom. I did that earlier this week for the same reason as you! Sneezing and a sniffley nose. In normal times wouldn't give it a thought - but I was planning on meeting up with a friend who has a very ill friend she is looking after. Test arrived in the post the next day and I should have results today or tomorrow!

FFSFFSFFS · 31/07/2020 08:16

I ordered the test online

cretelover · 31/07/2020 08:22

Hay fever is bad this year

AlwaysTimeForWine · 31/07/2020 08:24

I would just book a test!

A cold is caught by being in close contact with someone else who had one - it's a virus!! They don't just appear from nowhere!

So that means that if you have been in close enough contact to catch a cold, you potentially have been in close enough contact to catch covid. So to put your mind at ease, and prevent you from spreading it without realising just book a test!

raviolidreaming · 31/07/2020 08:31

Why are there so many posters still trying to talk others out of getting a test?? I find this infuriating

Me too. The answer is always to order a test!

Original poster
Blueraincoatyellowraincoat · 31/07/2020 08:34

Thanks all, if I had any of the primary or even secondary symptoms I would have ordered a test anyway (without posting).

I didn’t think you were meant to order one just for cold symptoms but I stand corrected! I’ll order one today Smile

OP posts:
Roomba · 31/07/2020 08:38

When booking a test, they are very, very clear that they'll only test you during the first five days of symptoms, as the test isn't reliable after that. So waiting a few days to see what develops is not good advice. Just say you have symptoms and book a test, or order one to be posted. They're not being limited now and the government/NHS are encouraging lots of people with no synptoms to do random tests too, to measure asymptomatic prevalence.

Fwiw, it's statistically a lot more likely to be a cold or hay fever than Covid at the moment. But you need to be sure so you don't infect anyone else.

SteelyPanther · 31/07/2020 08:44

I booked a test and was not asked my symptoms.
You could always say you’ve got symptoms if asked.
At work we’ve been told to go home if we have any cold type symptoms, and get a test ASAP.

Stressing · 20/08/2020 16:33

Hi did you get the test? I'm in the same boat and am waiting for results. Wondering how my son (and now me and my DD) have picked up a cold when socially distancing and wearing masks!

Northernsoullover · 20/08/2020 16:34

Yes, it can. It sounds like a cold but if you can catch a cold you could just as easily caught covid.

Bol87 · 20/08/2020 19:36

I’m full of cold at the mo. Bleugh. So is my daughter. Big thank you to her for the germs! I’m mega snotty, sneezy & feeling really under the weather but no cough, no temp, no loss of senses. Same for my daughter, she’s on the mend & back to nursery tomorrow. I asked them if they wanted me test her but they said no as no corona symptoms & if they asked every child to test for a snotty cold in winter, no-one would ever be in. 🤷🏼‍♀️ I do agree, we can’t be testing for very cold come winter as testing suddenly won’t be readily available!

Stressing · 20/08/2020 19:42

Ah get well soon Bol87. I feel pretty washed out and my son is coughing, although I'm not. Myself and DD both had sore throats. It's all a bit borderline so we are isolating and took tests.

yarncakes · 20/08/2020 19:51

More likely to be hayfever TBH.