Headache, nausea, sore throat - Covid or not?!

[LaMigraine]

My 12-year-old has these symptoms since yesterday afternoon and although they're not the classic Covid symptoms, I know they can be indicative of it. Obviously she'll stay off school until she feels better, but now I'm in a panic - should I get her tested? I'm guessing we can't get an NHS test as she only has secondary symptoms, so should I get a private one? Should her little brother also stay off school (different school) just in case? Should we all isolate? Plus Christmas is now in the mix and we are supposed to be spending it with my parents who are obviously in the higher risk group (70s and 80s), so now I'm wondering if we should stay away from them...

Any advice much appreciated!

My son (20) had a positive test this week. His main symptoms were headache, really sore throat and up and down temp. He does not have a cough or loss of smell.

In my local authority that would qualify you for a test.

Comefromaway oh that's interesting - can I ask which one? My local (London) one just refers to the 3 NHS symptoms (cough, fever, change/loss of taste/smell). I get that they can't have people testing for any old symptom, but headache and sore throat do seem common. Plus nausea/diarrhoea for the 'gastric' version of Covid.

www.staffordshire.gov.uk/Coronavirus/Testing/Book-a-test.aspx

I might get flamed for this but if there are plenty of tests available at a centre near you, I would say on the online form that she has one of the three given symptoms and get her tested.

The reason for this is that a friend's 12 year old dd was told to SI by school and due to close contact with a positive case. She had a bit of a headache, bit sneezy and that was it.

She tested positive as did her friend with no symptoms.

If there tests are there and the testing systems are staffed, my view given the utter shitshow that the govt has made of it all, is that people should make their own judgements if they can, especially if you're planning to see other people in the next couple of weeks.

Re: the govt not wanting people to get tests with only vague symptoms or no symptoms. Actually, that's exactly what the govt announced will be happening to school children in some areas of the country just yesterday (four or five months too late, but still)

I'd get an NHS test. It seems wise. The guidance is too rigid and common sense should apply.

I had a thread for similar things. Have felt horribly sick and head a headache, tickly throat and awful fatigue for 5 days now. I get tested at work so just waiting on my results. Defo get the test.

Normally, I would say no don’t get a test, but if you are seeing relatives over Christmas I would tick one of the boxes and get a test, but you all have to isolate until you get results.

I'd say just book a test, there seem to be plenty available now, so it's not like you'll be taking one someone else needs. If he has a sore throat, it's likely he's coughing a bit...right?

I had a positive result on Weds. I booked it because I did have a very slight tickly cough, but my main symptoms are headache and runny nose.

Book a test. I had a headache and was sneezing. I was positive.

Thank you all - I have booked a test. Now just have to desperately hope it comes back negative...

ChablisandCrisps, HallFloor and RosesandPumpkins, my fingers are crossed that you all feel better very soon!

Got my result today, negative. I've now felt dreadfully sick constantly since last Sunday, had a headache the whole time too. Must be another rubbish virus going around. So much for social distancing haha!

Oh Chablis! I’m happy you don’t have Covid but I’m sorry you feel so rubbish. Here’s hoping you’re past the worst and on the mend very soon. We got the test kit today, did it and sent it back within a couple of hours, so hoping to hear one way or another in the next 48 hours or so.

You did the right thing - they're pretty much the same symptoms I had, too. I did develop the 'classic' symptoms, but not at first (so if I hadn't isolated I would have been walking round spreading it goodness knows how far).

Severe headache was my daughter’s first symptom followed by loss of taste and smell.

I had those symptoms. Started with feeling a bit 'off', then stuffy nose and scratchy throat (which I still have 3 weeks later!) and awful headaches. My temperature regulation was just a bit off (feeling hot and cold, mostly cold) even though I didn't 'have a temperature' as such. I wouldnt have even got tested if I wasn't sharing a house with a positive DS (who had stuffy nose, had a temp for half and hour, and loss of taste). I don't know why they're still using the 'main three' as a yardstick for testing. The zoe covid tracker identified that fatigue and headaches are the main symptoms.

Well, the test came back negative. Which I’m very glad about, of course, but it’s odd how these symptoms do often seem to indicate Covid, but aren’t recognised as such, at least in the UK... Stay well, everyone!