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Original poster

Is it as simple as cough you should test

47 replies

Cantspeakpublic · 29/09/2020 21:53

The whole continuous or coughing episode is confusing.
Ds has a cold and has been coughing for 24hours. I’m sure the cough is part of the cold and that I read covid was a dry cough.
But I’m confused over the guidelines - any cough that’s ongoing then test?

OP posts:
StatisticalSense · 29/09/2020 21:53

Yes ongoing coughing needs a test.

RepeatSwan · 29/09/2020 21:54

Ongoing cough you test. Whole family isolates untilrrsults come.

Original poster
Cantspeakpublic · 29/09/2020 21:55

With runny nose and cold? Sorry I’m just confused as to me the cough is part and parcel of the cold and not a cough on it’s own..

OP posts:
Racoonworld · 29/09/2020 22:02

Yes as you could have a cold and COVID. A continuous cough and you need to isolate and test.

Racoonworld · 29/09/2020 22:03

Also with COVID you may have other symptoms too, not just a cough. Sometimes children get cold like symptoms with it.

RepeatSwan · 29/09/2020 22:04

The thing with guidance is you just need to follow it.

WhoseThatGirl · 29/09/2020 22:04

Yes you need to lockdown and test. Covid can present as cold symptoms in children.

Oly4 · 29/09/2020 22:05

It’s probably a cold but any continuous cough needs a test, yes. Please do the right thing

Original poster
Cantspeakpublic · 29/09/2020 22:12

That’s fine, I just wasn’t sure why school didn’t send ds home when he has been coughing all day. Made me wonder if there was a difference. As for the guidance it’s not clear hence me posting here. We have kept him off anyway but really school should have sent him home!

OP posts:
StarcourtMall · 29/09/2020 22:21

We were in the same position. We are now in isolation awaiting DDs test results which I’m pretty sure is just a cold that then turned into a cough. Now DH has caught the cold and coughed a few times so does he need a test too?
There have been zero cases in my town for weeks, none at the school DD goes to and only 9 in the whole area last week.

PineappleUpsideDownCake · 29/09/2020 22:22

I think it ought to be cold and cough = test.

However, certainly our school says if the cold came first they want them in school with a cough, no need to test or isolate or isolate the family etc.....

They're very much acting as if cold +cough is fine. I sent my daughter back last week...most of the school has a cold!

This really would need to be spelled out more as there aren't enough tests and if parents really will have to be out of work every few weeks for a "cold" that needs to be national news.

JayAlfredPrufrock · 29/09/2020 22:24

I cough all the time.

Since before Covid was heard of.

I swallowed a small fly this morning and coughed. A lot.

I’m a bit sniffly.

Test?

Anniemabel · 29/09/2020 22:27

@JayAlfredPrufrock no you’re all good. It’s a new continuous cough that you have to test for.

PineappleUpsideDownCake · 29/09/2020 22:28

I think the guidance is to mean its an actual cough rather than a one off from swallowing a fly. But presumably to include one that comes with a cold?

Original poster
Cantspeakpublic · 29/09/2020 22:29

It is difficult isn’t it as I wouldn’t want to take a test from someone either. I will say though the cough hasn’t been slight it has been a lot of coughing. It’s not like a tickle or anything and def not a fly lol!
In all seriousness it is a tricky one however I am lucky to work from home so we can isolate but I do feel uncomfortable taking a test but think this will be what we will have to do.

OP posts:
Original poster
Cantspeakpublic · 29/09/2020 22:31

We too live in a low area but I know you can’t say for sure anything. When is your result due? Hoping all ok for you!

OP posts:
StarcourtMall · 29/09/2020 22:42

Test was yesterday so who knows? I can work from home for a couple of days but most of my job is on site. I just hope I don’t then have to wait for DH to have a test too. And then if I or DD2 get it, do we have to test too? Even if DD1 and DH were negative? We could be home for 10 days for no reason.

wurlycurly · 29/09/2020 22:43

It’s all very well to say get a test but it isn’t always possible. My DD has a cold, and a cough with it. Went online and the nearest test centre is over six miles away and we are not able to take a cab or public transport. She’s ill, she can’t walk that.

StellaGib · 29/09/2020 22:45

Yes, it's a new persistent cough so he needs a test.

Doesn't matter if he also has other symptoms - common covid symptoms include runny/blocked noses, headache, sore throat etc.

Sunnydaysarethebestdays · 29/09/2020 22:45

This may be a stupid question, but what is the definition of a continuous cough?

Bupkis · 29/09/2020 22:45

Yes, you all need to quarantine, not going out at all, until you get a negative result.

Good luck

Is it as simple as cough you should test
WoobyWoo · 29/09/2020 22:46

We’re in exactly this position. Dc with a new cough, runny nose, sneezing. I have kept him off and tested as thought school wouldn’t want him in with the cough, expecting the results to be negative but now have school mums messaging me as my child has been conspicuously absent from school and I don’t know whether to reply and explain and potentially cause a panic or ignore until I have the result and know what we’re dealing with. Confused

Bupkis · 29/09/2020 22:47

@wurlycurly

It’s all very well to say get a test but it isn’t always possible. My DD has a cold, and a cough with it. Went online and the nearest test centre is over six miles away and we are not able to take a cab or public transport. She’s ill, she can’t walk that.
If there were no postal tests available, unfortunately you will have to self isolate.
StellaGib · 29/09/2020 22:48

@wurlycurly If you aren't able to access a test any other way, your school should have an emergency stash of tests. If they have run out, you just have to isolate

StellaGib · 29/09/2020 22:50

@PineappleUpsideDownCake

I think it ought to be cold and cough = test.

However, certainly our school says if the cold came first they want them in school with a cough, no need to test or isolate or isolate the family etc.....

They're very much acting as if cold +cough is fine. I sent my daughter back last week...most of the school has a cold!

This really would need to be spelled out more as there aren't enough tests and if parents really will have to be out of work every few weeks for a "cold" that needs to be national news.

That's odd, isn't it? I haven't seen it suggested before that the cough is the first symptom of covid and other symptoms come later. Or that the order of symptoms if the defining thing about covid Confused
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