AIBU to say if you have a cough get a test

[ShouldWeChangeTheBulb]

I’m getting increasing pissed off with people online and IRL about not getting tested because ‘it’s just a cold’ or it’s ‘obviously not Covid’. FWIW I don’t get annoyed if someone visits family even though their not supposed to in their area. I think it’s inhuman not to have social contact so I can understand that but for god sake if you actually have symptoms lockdown straight away and get tested. I know it’s a pain in the arse but not wanting to do something is not a good reason for not doing it.
For context we are currently locked down as DS has it (he caught if from his teacher). When I tell people his symptoms I’ve lost count of how many people say ‘my dd has those symptoms but she had a runny nose last week so it’s just a cold’. You cannot tell if it’s Covid or not, the symptoms can be the same as any other illness.

Im all for more people being tested, or testing for cold symptoms, as long as the testing is actually there.
Fact is, you have to go by the actual main symptoms, and then you cant even usually get a test. Surely youve seen this in the news.

If people could go get a test quickly and easily, then we could get this under control much quicker, but theres no point blaming people for not getting tests, when there isnt the testing capacity in the first place

Its personal judgement you see I don’t think this is right, fair or professional. It should be a clinical judgement somewhere. It should not be on our shoulders, any more than if we found a mole and wondered if it were cancerous. I think it shows a gap in the system and none of us are to blame!

DS and others have had covid. Yet if they cough now they have to go through the whole rigmarole again because two people, yep two in the world have tested positive again. It is all so stupid.

@Eng123 if there are no tests you should lockdown.

@justasking111
This is probably the only reason I can understand for not testing for a new continuous cough (or locking down if no tests are available). I think you are right on that one.

Yes I do, however I do think that they take symptoms when going for a test?

No, they didn’t ask me anything when I got tested on Thursday.

I think the confusion lies in the word “continuous”. People take continuous to mean non-stop but if you ignore that word and just read the more than 3 coughing episodes in 24 hours then yes, more people should be getting (or trying to get) tested.

Ok and exactly how are we going to test the millions of people who will get sick during winter ? People like you are just going to create more stress for everyone. You do know that hospitals & professionals in medicine are limited resources?

@Jaimeles
These are not questions for me. These are questions for BJ. You can’t just say your not following the rules because you think there aren’t going to be the resources made available. That’s not your call to make.

ShouldWeChangeTheBulb

I am following the rules. But wearing a mask and washing my hands isn't a cure or treatment to prevent a cold. So let's say we all get tested when we develop a continuous cough :

There are +66 000 000 people in the UK. How are we going to test everyone ? They even had to send people from London to Belfast to get tested due to lack of resources. You seem to know it all about the COVID 19 according to your previous answers, so why do you mention BJ now ?

You aren't a specialist , so it's not "your call to make" either. Please Mrs Einstein , tell us what are the solutions. You can't make claims then ignore the feasibility of your plan.

And oh! How often do I get tested ? If a cough gets better but 2 months later it's back. Do I do it again ?

PS : While the whole NHS staff takes care of tests how do we continue to provide treatment for people who have other medical issues ?

@Jaimeles
My opinion is that people should follow the current guidelines. I’m not saying it’s a perfect system. But it annoys me when people claim that they ‘know’ it’s just a cold. I don’t think individuals should be left to make the decisions on this. I think as part of a society we should all follow the same rules. Not just pick and choose.
My opinion on the wider issues of the affordability of test etc is that people who know a lot more than me are employed to make those decisions l, the situation is extremely nuanced and difficult and no one has the perfect solution. But I don’t want ‘Sue’ next door or ‘Kev’ at work making it up as they go along.

@Jaimeles
If a cough gets better but 2 months later it's back. Do I do it again? yes

While the whole NHS staff takes care of tests NHS staff don't take care of tests

@Jaimeles if you get a ‘new’ cough yes you should get tested again.

..sorry Yes, one assumes if there is a 2 month gap between a cough then it's a new one.

You are being unreasonable. There's a reason that tests are hard to come by right now and that's because people are testing for having a simple cough. Everyone needs to butt out of people's business. I've had enough of all this sanctimonious bullsh*t.

Everyone needs to butt out of people's business.
Unfortunately it is everyone's business, because it's...you know, a pandemic!
I've had enough of all this sanctimonious bullsht*
Apologies for being sanctimonious, I actually don't feel very santcibloodymonious, just worried sending my medically extremely vulnerable child into school everyday, when people won't follow the rules, don't follow the rules and mither and fucking flim flam about it somehow not applying to them.

@Pebblexox
What is the difference between a simple cough and Covid?
If only there was some sort of test.....

Unfortunately this highly infectious disease causes a symptom which is variable between people, similar to extremely common and mild infectious diseases, and subjective in its diagnosis.

OP YANBU
Neither is anyone else.

This is unfortunate but not the government’s fault either.

What IS the government’s fault is the lack of planning ahead to make mass testing available.

Now we are all bickering amongst ourselves.

Save your energy.
It’s going to be a long winter.

@ShouldWeChangeTheBulb the difference is the majority of adults know what a cold is. A cold cough is so different to that of covid. I know as my daughter has had covid. I will not be getting myself tested for just a cough if I was to develop one over winter.

@Pebblexox
That is simply untrue.
My DS and his friends all had classic cold symptoms when they tested positive. Your daughters symptoms were different but many other peoples are not. Everyone reacts differently to Covid and the symptoms vary hugely. Currently the best evidence is test for a new continuous cough.

@Pebblexox can you tell my why you won’t test? Is it the hassle? are you morally apposed to following government guidance for some reason? I’m so confused at why people are so adamant that they won’t test.

Me and both kids were tested for cold symptoms (with slight cough) per 111 advice 2 weeks ago, negative.. Now I've developed a worse cough. Do I test again? I other wise feel fine, slightly stuffy nose at night.

Covid test is the new ‘shall I call an ambulance for this?’

Either way, doesn’t change the fact that there isn’t enough tests or ambulances.

Is that because they are misused or under funded?

Can’t link to it at the moment but there’s an article in the guardian about a professor from GOSH who says we are testing children to much, children are 44% less likely to catch covid and we should leave schools fully open.