Should I get a test?

[BaconsLaw]

I have a cold. It's a bad one, but I'm pretty sure it's just a cold.

My mum has just messaged to say the TV Doc says to get a test if you've got cold symptoms. I'm worried it's a waste of resources.

I have;
Headache
Runny nose
Sore throat
Achey neck and shoulders
Upset stomach (last night)

Yes in my opinion you should.

Yes, I've just done one yesterday for these symptoms. Put them into 111 online and a doc/nurse will call you

I'm not against having a test. I'm against having one unnecessarily. I just wanted to make that clear.

Ask a doctor, not a bunch of randoms online...

Those aren’t any of the symptoms we are told to isolate and test for (fever, cough, loss of taste/smell). But there is so much excess testing capacity at the moment I wouldn’t worry about wasting testing resources. It’s the upset stomach that would concern me. I’ve never had that with a cold but i understand it’s quite a common symptom of Covid.

There is plenty of capacity for testing so it is not a waste of resources. You are as likely to get a false positive and a genuine positive though although the likeliest result is a negative

@Athrawes

Ask a doctor, not a bunch of randoms online...

I can't get through to my doctor...

And I was asking more for a WWYD, than from a medical POV but thank you for taking the time out of your day to be a dick. I hope you feel sufficiently superior.

I would say no as they are not the main symptoms, except for the upset stomach... I probably would get a test just to know; the results take about 24 hours.

The upset stomach was weird. It came from nowhere!

isn't there an NHS symptom-should-I-test checker? I'd do what that says.

Have a test I think to be on the safe side.

There is a cold virus doing the rounds here lots of people have it at the moment.

I’m full of cold at the moment, full on snotty messy. My daughter kindly brought it home from nursery. But no cough. No temp. No loss of taste or smell (well, maybe smell a tiny but just cos I’m so bunged up but I can def smell most things!) Pretty certain it’s just a delight of a cold. However, if I had an upset stomach with it, I would get a test. That’s pretty unusual with a cold..

However, if I had an upset stomach with it, I would get a test. That’s pretty unusual with a cold

I've often had upset stomachs with colds, although I think my stomach it particularly sensitive as I can also get them for no reason

Definitely get a test
I had covid, confirmed by test
Hospitalised for 2 days
Off work 7 weeks
Started with diarrhoea, headache, aches and pains
Then high temp and throat
No coughing
Lost taste and smell on day 9

Thank you for your responses.

I did look for a symptom checklist and I couldn't find one.

Found one straight after I posted this, didn't I? I was looking on the NHS site, not through 111.

Yes of course get a test. If you wait too long you can test negative when you are still ill. All those posters saying don’t get one, that’s how people keep going to work as super spreaders with mild illnesses etc

You might as well, they're quick and easy to get. Phone 119 to book one.

Yes you should definitely get a test.

My friend started with the symptoms you describe. Get the test otherwise you will possibly just make yourself feel worse thinking about it! Fingers crossed for you though

Hi op did you get a test done? I'm a nurse and it's the upset stomach I'd be concerned about as that is a symptom that is often over looked. It will prob be negative but you'd feel awful nit wasn't and you spread it about

I’d get a test op, you can book it online now, you don’t need to speak to your GP - they have increased capacity massively.

I woke yesterday with an achey head and swollen throat (standard cold symptoms for me). This morning developed a dry cough mid morning so went online and managed to book a test for midday. They were showing 166 testing slots available at that particular centre today.

This is the link to book: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-and-tracing/get-a-test-to-check-if-you-have-coronavirus/

As the capacity is there at the moment I think it’s worth getting one even if you don’t have classic covid symptoms, if only for peace of mind.

Do you have at least one of these symptoms?

Wales NHS symptom "should I get a test?" checker.

I've ordered a home testing kit. I feel bloody dreadful so couldn't face the drive to the test centre.

Bloody hell - you've got to post it back in a designated post box!

Bacon's law, I hope you feel better soon.

I've read this thread with interest as I have the same symptoms you describe, I am not able to access a test though as 'the service is busy'