To think a lack of taste and smell from an apparent cold doesn’t need a covid test.

[Jgb12]

Just that really. Probably a silly question. Feel like I have a cold. Snotty, sneezing and congested. No fever or cough. I feel fine in myself. Been home cleaning all day and have a near normal amount
of energy - maybe a little tired but been up since 5am.

Because I’m bunged up I can’t taste or smell properly! This is always a problem when I get a cold. I have ongoing problems with my sinuses too.

First time I’ve been any kind of ill since last Christmas. I know that my cold symptoms do not need a covid test but I assume my lack of taste or smell does not either because it’s quite obviously being caused by my cold!

Aibu?

@Heartofglass12345

I think it would help if the results of tests didn't take so long, I think it might put people off if they are waiting days or even longer for a possibly negative test

If you go to a test centre you should get your result within 48 hours. They give you your barcode number and if you've not had a response in 72 hours you ring 119 with that number to get your result. So it shouldn't be longer than 3 days maximum. I was tested at 3pm on a Thursday, had the result texted to me at 1pm on the Saturday.

Hi OP, I've just had a test today for the exact same reason. DS has had a cold, (just a runny nose, no Covid symptoms), so I'm hoping I have just caught his cold, but best to be safe in my view. It really didn't take long, booked it at 2pm for 2.30pm, test centre was empty so took no time at all.

Mine started with what I thought was a severe sinus infection and a sore throat that wouldn't be relieved by anything.

The shortness of breath came next, then the cough, then loss of smell and the fever came last.

Get a test. Obviously other virus are still available but why risk it?

I got a positive result with just mild cold like symptoms , less than what you are describing.
I actually exaggerated to be able to get a test , but felt it necessary as so many of my colleagues tested positive too .
You should get one asap.

I know someone who tested positive (as part of a study) who had only had a cold and none of the main symptoms at all. If you have the symptoms, makes sense to test!

@Jgb12

Thanks all. I will consider a test. Just to add my sense of taste and smell hasn’t completely gone. I can still taste and smell most things. It’s just blander than usual! Just stuck my nose into my dogs dog treats and could definitely smell them! 🤮

Get a test. Its simple and quick and you will know whether to self isolate. Symptoms vary so much from person to person

Thanks all. I’ve been snotty and congested for a few days and I was able to taste and smell fully up until this afternoon. Like I say not completely gone but bland. Hoping it’ll be short lived. But I’ll book a test anyway!

Honestly I despair at the general public’s lack of ability to follow simple instructions.

You need to test. They were my symptoms and I tested positive.

@Nightmanagerfan really? I asked the question because time and time again we are told we don’t have to test for having a cold.. I honestly believe I do just have a cold that I caught off dd (she went to school with it as just a mild runny nose). I’ve not been out anywhere other than school runs since lockdown and even before. I get my shopping delivered. I’ve not had social contact with anyone than the people I live with. I’m currently off work. So it’s a high possibility I’ve just got the common cold off Dd. Plus every time I get a cold my taste and smell alters - I had a bad cold this time last year and couldn’t taste or smell for a week. Didn’t think anything of it then.

Not saying I don’t want or won’t get a test!

Jgb12 My DH had a cold, smell and taste were ok, after 10 days was feeling no better , spoke to the doctor who told him to get tested and he tested positive.

I had absolutely no symptoms apart from loss of taste and smell.

Jgb12 Just saw your last post, my DH has been working from home since March, only goes to drop DS off to school and goes out for an isolated walk but he still managed to catch covid.

Someone said the tests were taking a long time but I think they are much better now from what I've heard (only annecdotely, not stats) so hopefully you'll get a negative one soon, and your sinuses feel better too. I know that can feel horrible.

A haha. A couple of weeks ago I peeled and ate a banana. It was the most tasteless thing I'd ever eaten. Just no flavour at all. I needed to check it wasnt covid so I did a scientific test and ate a bar of chocolate. It was fine. So there you go - eat chocolate to test against covid.....

Well you’re wrong because that is a symptom in itself that requires a test.

My friend got a positive with those symptoms

Currently self isolating as close contacts after a staff member tested positive in my sons nursery. She had cold symptoms without temp cough or loss of smell / taste. The nursery suggested she got tested as a precaution. Test came back positive. Get tested. Not particularly pleasant but it's over quickly and might prevent you potentially passing covid on to someone vulnerable

Just saw you are booking a test.. Fingers crossed its negative.. Better to be safe than sorry 🙂

@CannibalQueen sounds like an idea. I just had a baby bel and could taste that just fine! So hopefully my bland dinner was just a one off 🤣 I haven’t stopped eating all day (the old saying ‘starve a fever, feed a cold’ comes to mind). My sense of taste was absolutely fine up until dinner time! But I was feeling very congested when I was eating it and a little better now 🤷‍♀️

@Lurkingforawhile thank you, I am prone to sinus infections especially after a cold. I’ve not had a cold in a year like I say. I expect that’s because the kids were off school for so long and Didn’t get a cold to pass on. I don’t seem to get ill unless the kids do first and spread it onto me. I also have sinus issues due to wisdom teeth and jaw issues from clenching my jaw due to anxiety (it’s all linked to sinuses apparently).

I feel it’s going to be a long winter having to get tests every time I get a cold and my sense of taste of smell is altered... 😫😫 hopefully my children will stop spreading their germs to me 🤣

Of course you and your household have to isolate too...

You are asked to test if you have on of the three main symptoms one of which is

a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste

You're making it so much more complicated than it needs to be with all this "oh but you're not meant to get tests for a cold blah blah blah" that's true and to make it crystal fucking clear they've listed three symptoms you should get tests first. You don't need use your judgement on this (thankfully!!)

Working in Healthcare and loss of taste or smell is the most common feature by far that out Covid postive clients have displayed.

You should go for a test, as your sense of smell and taste have changed. No ifs and buts in the guidelines.