I don’t know what to do?

[TrulyOutrageousJem]

We are currently mid renovation and the house is full of plaster dust. I was wfh on Friday and my throat felt scratchy and I panicked and registered for a test but I couldn’t get one. I also had a slightly higher temperature as I’d been struggling with a migraine.

I went to bed early and woke up yesterday feeling much better. I’ve cleaned the house of dust and now have no throat symptoms or raised temperature.

My question is, will the government now contact me as I registered I had symptoms but didn’t have a test? Do I still need to isolate even though I’m 99% sure it wasn’t Covid symptoms and was just dust related?

You didn’t have COVID symptoms unless your temperature was high (nhs online info currently says 38 and above). Scratchy throat isn’t the same as continuous cough. I don’t know if they will call but I doubt it.

When we renovated our house the dust made my throat raw. If you're confident that wasn't it, and your temp was under 38, then no I wouldn't worry. They won't contact you. They'll assume you're isolating if you had symptoms.

I'm in a similar position. We had an internal wall pulled down this week and all of the building dust has set off my asthma. I'm coughing but otherwise absolutely fine. No temp or anything. Reeeeally don't want to have to isolate.

You’re the reason that people can’t get a test. Ordering one for a scratchy throat, FFS.

On reflection, my comment was too harsh. You’re not the reason. This fuck up of a government is. But why would you ‘panic’ and order one when you know people with real symptoms can’t get one?

@RandallBoggs

It was coughing and a sore throat. I may be the reason one person didn’t get a test but at least I didn’t turn up and incur any further costs to the nhs.

We’re all on high alert... this was my first ‘Is this it moment. I saw in the press there were fines for people who don’t self isolate and I’m worried I now fall into a category of a person who should.

Your getting confused. 14 days isolation is to wait for possible symptoms. if you have symptoms you need to isolate until 2 days after the symptoms stop (apart from the cough which people can have for a montb but not be infectious). if you have gone 48hours without a temp or sore throat then you are fine to not isolate and not worry.

I don’t understand- you said you couldn’t get a test, so why are you worried.

@Abricot1993

Your getting confused. 14 days isolation is to wait for possible symptoms. if you have symptoms you need to isolate until 2 days after the symptoms stop (apart from the cough which people can have for a montb but not be infectious). if you have gone 48hours without a temp or sore throat then you are fine to not isolate and not worry.

I didn't know this. It would be nice if they could just tell us this sort of thing.

"Your getting confused. 14 days isolation is to wait for possible symptoms. if you have symptoms you need to isolate until 2 days after the symptoms stop (apart from the cough which people can have for a montb but not be infectious). if you have gone 48hours without a temp or sore throat then you are fine to not isolate and not worry."

Where is this advice from? The only guidance I've seen is if you have symptoms you have to isolate for 10 days from start of symptoms. I haven't seen anything that says stays in until 2 days after symptoms stop.

My confusion came from the new info that was released on fines and that those who don't self-isolate would be fined. I was worried that now my info was on file I'd essentially singled myself out for review.

I'm not going to lie.... this forum has confused me even more. I have no idea if I'm doing the right thing?

@RandallBoggs - I blame the government too. They have made this so unclear that ultimately when the system collapses this our fault and no blame lies at their door.

If you couldn't get a test then you didn't register. You haven't taken a test off anyone else. I don't know why ppl are making a fuss!

This is current guidance

It's pretty clear, though long.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 however mild, self-isolate for at least 10 days from when your symptoms started. You should arrange to have a test to see if you have COVID-19 – go to testing to arrange. Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.

If you are not experiencing symptoms but have tested positive for COVID-19, self-isolate for at least 10 days, starting from the day the test was taken. If you develop symptoms during this isolation period, restart your 10-day isolation from the day you developed symptoms.

From 28 September, you could be fined if you do not stay at home and self-isolate following a positive test result for COVID-19 or if you are contacted by NHS Test and Trace and instructed to self-isolate.

After 10 days, if you still have a temperature you should continue to self-isolate and seek medical advice. You do not need to self-isolate after 10 days if you only have a cough or loss of sense of smell or taste, as these symptoms can last for several weeks after the infection has gone. See the ending isolation section below for more information.

If you live with others, all other household members need to stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days. The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the household became ill or if they do not have symptoms, from the day their test was taken. If anyone else in the household starts displaying symptoms, they need to stay at home for at least 10 days from when their symptoms appear, regardless of what day they are on in their original 14-day isolation period. The ending isolation section below has more information.

If you have symptoms, try and stay as far away from other members of your household as possible. It is especially important to stay away from anyone who is clinically vulnerable or clinically extremely vulnerable with whom you share a household.

Reduce the spread of infection in your home by washing your hands regularly for 20 seconds using soap and water, or use hand sanitiser, and cover coughs and sneezes.

Consider alerting people who you do not live with and have had close contact within the last 48 hours to let them know you have symptoms of COVID-19.

Following a positive test result, you will receive a request by text, email or phone to log into the NHS Test and Trace service website and provide information about recent close contacts.

If you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home, or your condition gets worse, then use the NHS 111 online COVID-19 service. If you do not have internet access, call NHS 111. For a medical emergency dial 999.

If you develop COVID-19 symptoms again at any point after ending your first period of isolation (self or household), follow the guidance on self-isolation again. The section below has further information.

@Abricot1993 where is that from about waiting 2 days after the symptoms stop