My ds has a cold, does he need a test?

[Yerroblemom1923]

My ds, age 12, has a cold. Just a runny/blocked/stuffy nose. No sore throat, fever, cough, feels generally well.
This is pretty much the norm for this time of year, he's been back at school for two weeks after 5months of not being in close proximity to anyone and pretty much inevitable.
I'm just concerned that I should get him tested or not. I've no reason to believe it's anything more than a back-to-school cold (although admittedly I'm not a doctor!) but given the current climate am I foolish not to? Or are many other patents in the same boat and I'd look a bit OTT for requesting a test for a common garden cold.
Also does she need to stay off school etc etc? She wouldn't normally for just a cold but again I don't want to look irresponsible...
Advice welcome, tia.

No you shouldn’t get him tested unless he has one of the main 3 symptoms .

Thanks, wendz86. That's good to know. I'm conscious of wasting already stretched resources. I'll stop stressing and Calpol him up!

If she doesnt have a fever, hasn't lost his sense of smell/taste and doesnt have a new continuous cough then he doesnt need a test.

If she feels well enough, he can go to school tomorrow.

My ds2 is in the same boat.

She, she, she

No, I work in a school, our parents were sent a letter stating that normal cold symptoms did not require a test or time off school, unless child felt poorly. Only test for the stated symptoms. I have a cold, sore throat, snotty nose. No cough, no fever, no loss of taste /smell, I'm not getting tested.

No, I wouldn’t test but you might find school send him home and want a test.
You could always ring first thing Monday and ask for their advice/policy.

No, there's been some published guidance about this sort of thing - a child with a usual cold but none of the main symptoms, who isn't vulnerable, should go to school as normal. No need for a test.

no test needed in these circumstances

only test if exhibiting covid symptoms specifically (new persistent cough, fever, loss or change in sense of taste/smell) or if told to test due to contact with someone else who tested positive.

obviously it is known that atypical symptom presentations exist but statistically the ratios are such that it is pointless to test people who aren't showing typical symptoms as the number of false-positive from covid-free individuals would be greater than the number of truely-positive atypical-symptom cases found. plus testing capacity is not enough to cover the millions of people who don't have typical symptoms but would like to check whether they have the virus.

your gut instinct is quite right, this is just a cold. do not isolate or test just observe good hygiene to avoid spreading the cold germs around.

Thanks, knew I'd find the voice of reason on here. Feeling reassured.