Question on self-isolation

[5lilducks]

Hi all,

I am just a bit confused about these self-isolation rules. DD (nearly 3) has got a cold. I know that in some cases covid my present itself as just a cold and other symptoms in children but the guidance does not list cold symptoms (e.g.sneezing) as a reason to self-isolate/get tested and is very specific about what symptoms you should be isolating/get tested for, so I am only going to worry about the symptoms listed in the UK govs guidelines. My question is, DD has not got a cough yet, but she usually does get a cough when she gets a cold. Say if she gets a new cough and I get her tested (for Pre-School) does she still have to isolate for 14 days even if she gets a negative test? Tia

No, if she has symptoms and then a negative test, then she won’t have to isolate.

If you’re isolating because of symptoms, you don’t have to continue for the full two weeks.

That’s only if you’ve been in contact with a positive case or come back from a region on the travel quarantine list.

The odd cough now and again (clearing the throat) doesn't require a test only if the cough is continuous or persistent

The rules are here www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection#ending-self-isolation-and-household-isolation

10 days if there are symptoms. A negative test does not end self isolation. The household isolates for 14 days (to allow for incubation).

@Frazzled13 and @PurpleDaisies please see the guidance I’ve linked. You must isolate for at least 10 days.
The more difficult question is what are the symptoms and does the OP’s dd have them. As @PinotLovesMomma has said.

Sorry in other words you must do 10 days even if the symptoms clear up (if they were Covid symptoms that is). It was bothering me that a negative test would mean back to normal so I looked it up and feel a bit more conversant with the rules.

@Frazzled13 @PurpleDaisies. Thank you for replying.

Thank heavens for that!

Ah the nhs stuff is a bit more readable- try this. The negative test result does not end isolation apparently.
[https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-and-treatment/how-long-to-self-isolate/#:~:text=You%20can%20stop%20self%2D,not%20get%20any%20symptoms]

Colicky!
www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-and-treatment/how-long-to-self-isolate/#:~:text=You%20can%20stop%20self%2D,not%20get%20any%20symptoms.

Oh no, just seen the other replies. Thank you for replying. Silly question, but what's the point in testing if people still have to isolate?

Don't think that's right, here school says go back if you year negative.

you can end isolation after a negative test if you aren't a close contact of a positive case. The email/text you get tells you that.

I think that if it’s positive then close contacts would have to be told. I just remember it was on radio 4 and then saying again and again that you isolate with symptoms or test and trace notification even with your own negative test.

I think it’s because it doesn’t always shoe up at first but I’m not sure. I keep doubting myself but it’s definitely in the guidance. Have you googled?

It’s off then isn’t it because all this conflicts with the actual government guidance.

Aha here we go. It’s confusing though isn’t it.
www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-and-tracing/what-your-test-result-means/

So you must be negative but also not in a closed bubble or have been notified by test and trace. Why does it tell you to isolate for at least 10 days in the government guidance. They need to sort that out.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-and-tracing/what-your-test-result-means/

@movingonup20

Don't think that's right, here school says go back if you year negative.

I agree but can see that the guidance posted above would seem to conflict with this! Am now very confused.

I believed the only time you continue self isolating after a negative test result was if you'd potentially had contact with an infected person, ie after returning from a high risk country or being a close contact or someone who'd tested positive. Because you could test negative but still be incubating the disease.

Off to do more research!

@Augustbreeze I think you are right. The government guidance doesn’t mention a negative test though as ending isolation. It would be clearer if it did and it would then match the nhs guidance. What a mess!

Clearly the guidance has changed in a month then! We had to get her tested in mid September and along with the negative result it said " If you’re not a contact you may return to work if you’ve not had a fever for 48 hours and feel well. Talk to your employer first".

This is soo confusing. The pre-school guidance says can return if pupil has a negative test result!

Thank you for replying. Silly question, but what's the point in testing if people still have to isolate?

You should only get a test if you’ve got symptoms. Testing what you’re a contact of a positive case is pointless because you still have to isolate for the full two weeks.

People are getting confused between isolating because you have symptoms and whether you’re a contact of a confirmed positive case. The guidance has not changed on this.

The pre-school guidance says can return if pupil has a negative test result!

Yes, if they themselves were the one with symptoms. Or if they were isolating awaiting the result of someone else with symptoms.

But the government guidance says that if you have symptoms you must isolate for at least 10 days. The section about ending isolation does not say you can end when you get a negative test.

What you say makes sense but it doesn’t appear to be in the guidance on Gov.uk that I linked above. Am I reading it wrong?

Look at the nhs link.

The government guidance is unclear while it’s absolutely spelled out on the nhs one.

Why would you need to continue to self isolate if your symptoms are proven to be covid negative?

I see what you’re saying but the government make the rules. Maybe I’m too literal! But it’s odd isn’t it. Why don’t the government spell it out? The nhs don’t make laws. So I check government sources first on this stuff. Crazy isn’t it?

@PurpleDaisies thank you for replying. Tbh DD hasn't got her cough (yet) but she almost always gets one when she gets a cold and this cough usually lasts sometime. I am just trying to get my head around what I should be doing in case she gets a cough( fingers crossed she doesn't get one). I know clearly that she doesn't have covid but the preschool guidance on new coughs means I may have to get her tested just to show that she is covid-free. But if we still have to isolate then I don't see the point of taking her for a test.