Should DH get a covid test for rash?

[chookbug]

DH doesn't have typical covid symptoms, he is fatigued and has had some digestive issues. He has now developed a rash that looks like pityarisis rosea. We tried antifungal cream on it thinking it could be ringworm but its not ring worm.

People are getting PR with covid. Should he be tested?

I'd ring the GP about the rash.

If the GP is unwilling to see him because of potential for Covid, then book a test. It's a shame GPs have no role in getting patients tested (though I can see why they don't want potentially infected people near other unwell/vulnerable people, and if they were a reliable route to a test, it wouid encourage people in)

DH is now saying that as he doesn't meet the requirements for a test then he most likely doesn't have covid19. He says he says he will self isolate (with me) for the next week but that he has to go out next week for work.

From what I read online the rash may last months so if it were covid related hopefully he wouldn't still be infectious. I've been sharing a bed with him and haven't felt ill.

Obviously we can't know if this is covid19 but if it and other similar atypical presentations are not able to get tested or expected to self isolate then you can see why the virus continues to spread.

No. Why would you get a test?! Carry on as normal

I was diagnosed with pityriasis rosacea in March by a GP over a video consultation. I also had a dry persistent cough for three weeks, fatigue, aches, chills etc. I asked GP if there was a link to the symptoms but she dismissed this. I'm convinced it was Covid. As we were in lockdown by this point there was no rusk of me spreading anything anyway.

Tricky one for you though as your DH DH can't test eithout the three NHS listed symptoms. The three people i know to have had Covid confirmed had neither of the three, only sore throats and fatigue. Very annoying as people will go out and spread it as a sore throat doesn't warrant a test and isolation.

Here in the US an unexplained rash is an official symptom! So I would say yes he should get a test!

Our GP has a triage email address...if your practice does, could your dh call and ask to be triaged via email, explaining the symptoms and attaching a photo of the rash.

@OpheliasCrayon because he has symptoms, as stated in the OP. Just because they’re not flagged as main symptoms doesn’t mean he doesn’t have it, people can be asymptotic, as we know.

I had a test today without meeting the criteria. I do have a sore throat, chills and no appetite. All are symptoms of covid, just not the ones needed to meet the criteria. I got a test because my DS was exposed to someone who tested positive in his class and has been isolating for a week.

Agree with a pp who said it’s about using logic at this point, rather than ‘government guidelines’.

It makes zero sense not to test everyone who has any symptoms and anyone who has been into contact with a positive case. Isolating schoolkids and workers for a fortnight is ridiculous when they could all get tested and be back in two days. What on earth is the problem?

@Pachonga
I really don't think you've bothered to read anything as to why we aren't testing contacts. There is fuck all point in identifying a contact if all we are going to do is test them at a point a negative test would be expected even if they had been infected and allow them to go around infecting others on the base of the negative test.

If you are concerned speak to your GP. They can recommend a test for non-standard symptoms I think if they have reason to believe it is covid.

The symptoms you describe are all common covid symptoms but not testable under the UK's narrow definition designed to ration tests because we don't have professional triage due to our underfunded public health system

However they could also be something else entirely.

Yes, I have bothered to read it and I understand the argument. I am unconvinced the reason the UK is not testing contacts and choosing to make people isolate for a fortnight instead is because there aren’t enough tests, rather than it being pointless because they’re not infectious yet, never mind why they’re not testing people with actual Covid symptoms, like a rash. But then I don’t have to be convinced and if UK residents are happy with the procedure, that’s fine. Everywhere is different and has different reasons behind everything, tailored for each area. Well, you’d hope, anyway.