Would you get tested if you had cold-like symptoms?

[Afternooninthepark]

My brother in law has been a bit unwell the last few days. He has had a headache and now is very stuffy in the nose and head (I don’t know if he has a temperature or cough). I know these are not classic Covid symptoms but when I suggested he pop to the mobile testing clinic a few miles away he said no.
I suggested this as my sister has a job which involves her going into clients homes, many of them are elderly and our parents are elderly (mum has several health conditions and was shielding) and she visits them several times per week.
Would you go and get tested if you have cold-like symptoms?

Only if the cold like symptoms included covid like symptoms. A cold without temperature, cough or loss of smell and taste, no.

Seems a bit odd that you’re telling him to get tested but haven’t even found out if he has any of the actual Covid symptoms!

Nope I wouldn’t. Could be just a cold/hayfever

No, if we all end up doing this there won't be anyone in work or school. There are hundreds of cold type illness that it could be.

The only time I would maybe suggest it is if the area you are in is in lockdown.

Yes I would. I speak to a lot of people with covid and these symptom match. They also match many viruses but the fact that he's linked to vulnerable people makes it important.

I would get tested with a temperature, loss of taste/smell, or new, continuous cough. I mean, it’s a pretty clear instruction.

I suppose I may be jumping the gun but I am concerned for my mum, she has a condition which effects her immune system and the elderly people my sister works for. My sister is likely to not be too concerned about her partners symptoms but will still continue working and visiting our mum. I would have thought surely a quick and simple test just to make sure wouldn’t be too much to ask. If my sister wasn’t involved with so many vulnerable people then I probably wouldn’t be so concerned.

Yes, DH and I have been today due to him feeling ill and achy and me having a headache & feeling a bit 'off'. I'm pretty sure it's not it but like your family we have vulnerable members we are in contact with and he is back at work now so we don't want to put anyone unnecessarily at risk.

Aches & pains and headaches are on the long list of symptoms, there was plenty of availability at the test centre so I don't think there's any harm in being over-cautious, we should get the results tomorrow so no real harm done in terms of lost days; he isn't well enough to go to work anyway and I work from home.

Having said that I didn't realise how unpleasant it was, I may not be quite so keen again...

No, I personally wouldn’t if I had none of the symptoms advised for testing. Or we are rapidly going to run outta tests in winter. But if you care for someone vulnerable, I do feel that’s a bit different. It’s not dissimilar to regular testing paid carers now have to have. So in your shoes, I’d say yes.

Not unless I had one of the three symptoms listed on the NHS/government websites.

I wouldn't, i've had cold/hay fever type symptoms almost constantly since the start of lockdown.

I'd follow the instructions on the NHS website, which last time I looked, would say no need for those symptoms.

Yes, and so should everyone else. No need to isolate if you don't have the symptoms, but this is exactly what the testing capacity is for.

Yes, please advise him to test. Lots of people don't have the "classic" symptoms that are listed of fever, cough and loss of taste/smell. Lots of people get a sore throat and headache. Do the test.

I'd suggest BIL runs his symptoms through 111 symptom checker

Ours came back negative this morning by the way, I'm glad we did them just to be sure