Runny nose and sore throat - do I need a test?

[Nursetynursey]

I’m a nurse (outpatienrs) and developed a runny nose and feel a bit run down with a sore throat. Do I need a test? So I need to isolate? Coughed once or twice but only when throat dry, almost like hay fever. Definitely feels like a cold more than a flu.
Ta X

This is a wind up.

Well, if you'd a dripping nose to the extent you can't do your job, you call in sick.

It's pretty common-sense, tbh.

There are a myriad of symptoms for Covid. Some people never have respiratory symptoms or a cough. Some people have no symptoms

However in order to have some way to manage resources effectively, they choose 3 most common symptoms. If you have one of them, get tested.

If not, and you feel well enough to go to work, do

If you worsen or feel more seriously unwell, seek further advice from your workplace.

It's not that hard.

Thank you for this very sensible response and the others also. They have partially restored my faith in nation's intelligence levels.

Almost every ailment you could imagine is on the longlist of symptoms - a line has to be drawn somewhere!

According to the government - no

According to the WHO - yes

The responsible thing to do is, of course, to get a test.

But this week on mumsnet we have to be outraged at all those non existent silly people someone managing to hog Covid tests unnecessarily -hence the replies you are getting.

Between the government and the WHO - who do you trust?

I can see why people get confused about whether they need a test, tbh.

DS and his half sister both have a mild cold this week. Bit snotty, DS said his throat felt a bit 'scratchy' for a day but otherwise alright. Both have had no elevated temperature, cough, fatigue or any other symptom.

DS's primary school actively encouraged me to send him in, said he had no official covid symptoms and told me that it was very important that every child that could be in school should be, as they've missed so much this year - attendance unless isolating is still mandatory. His sister's primary school insisted she MUST stay off for ten days unless proof of a negative covid test was provided to them, also that the whole household should isolate for two weeks unless they get a negative test. Both schools are supposedly following the same local guidelines, they are less than a 1/4 mile apart.

@MythicalBiologicalFennel

According to the government - no

According to the WHO - yes

The responsible thing to do is, of course, to get a test.

But this week on mumsnet we have to be outraged at all those non existent silly people someone managing to hog Covid tests unnecessarily -hence the replies you are getting.

Between the government and the WHO - who do you trust?

It's nothing to do with Government V WHO and who you trust more. The Government guidelines are the ones we are to follow. There is no guideline that says you need to try and interpret which one fits you best. We follow the GOV

Sorry unintentional caps at the last 2 letters. Not shouting

You have a common cold.

In case you’re not aware many people attend work whilst ill. Obviously I’d blow my nose and wash hands but my unit is already down several staff and I’m aware of the pressures to the system. How many of you take off work for a drippy nose? Surprised honestly by how rude so many of these responses are. Brilliant way to thank a carter who worked throughout.

OP - in the nicest possible way - speak to your line manager and don't post questions like this. If you weren't a nurse the answer would clearly be NO you don't need to test but I'm sure your workplace has a policy / access to tests for those who may need it. Mine does and it involves speaking to your line manager

No

@Nursetynursey have your Trust not given out instructions all related to covid and testing?
Ours send email bulletins regularly with when to test, when to isolate etc

I’m surprised they don’t have a process?

I'm a nurse, my trust is swabbing staff for sore throats or feeling run down/achy and there have been positive results come back.

The government guidance for the public is only to test or isolate for fever/cough/loss of taste or smell BUT I estimate 1/3 or more of our covid patients at the peak of our admissions had completely different symptoms to these.

We don't know enough about this virus! I would contact your occy health team and they may decide to swab you as a precaution?