Is this another reason why CV19 is still spreading?

[TheInfected]

Positive test last week, just cold symptoms no cough, temp etc. T&T say I can go out now my isolation period has ended and I have no cough or temperature. BUT I'm still sneezing and have that permanent 'about to sneeze' tickle in my nose...my body is obviously still fighting it and therefore I'm still contagious you would have thought?!

Do you suppose I'm still infectious?

I'd phone 111 and ask them.

@ssd according to T&T if there's no temp or cough it's fine?!

It's a sign that the virus is still provoking an immune response. However, as with most viruses, it is thought that people are at their most infectious in the 48 hours before symptoms show. That's much more of an issue.

That said, if you can isolate longer, then do. There's still a chance that you can spread it. I tested positive and my isolation ends on 17th, but I'm going to continue to isolate until at least 22nd as I can afford to (maybe a walk or two but certainly avoiding indoor spaces).

When I worked at test and trace I left 3 weeks ago the government guidelines were if after 10 day you no longer had a high temperature you were fine to go about your day to day activities. Any other symptoms like a cough or loss or change to sense of smell or taste could linger longer so it was only they temperature that meant you had to continue to self isolate. It may have changed in the last 3 weeks but that was the guidelines for the whole time I was there

@Alfiemoon1 thanks but I don't understand the science behind that policy...viruses are engineered to be spread by coughing and sneezing...my A-Level biology kicking in makes me think I'm still fighting something?

I understand coughing lasting, it becomes a habit but sneezing is different? It's not often but a few times a day and this evening I'm more blocked up and mucusy (clear)?

Your immune system is still active, hence the symptoms, but it’s killing the virus. So you won’t shed live virus, just inactivated ones.

The most infectious time is just before and after symptoms start, which makes sense as the symptoms are the immune system working.

I read that the pcr tests can’t tell whether the virus is dead or not. So positive tests don’t necessarily mean infectious.

That reassures me that my symptoms are my immune system working because I still have them 3 weeks after the positive test.

I know it contradicts what I said before, but test and trace told me that isolation should continue if I still have a fever, temperature or runny nose. I'm not sure where sneezing fits into that, but maybe you should still isolate?

@2020out that's not what they told me....!!!

How ridiculous! I'd heard about continuing to isolate with a fever, but it was the mention of runny nose that surprised me and made me think of this thread. I only had the call this morning.

It does seem odd to specifically include a runny nose, but I suppose there must be a reason. She didn't mention sneezing though, so you probably are OK.

But to go back to your original question, yes, this kind of lack of clarity must be contributing to the spread.

Maybe do another test?

[quote TheInfected]@ssd according to T&T if there's no temp or cough it's fine?![/quote]
How things change in a few months...when covid he was told not to isolate with a cough after his 14 days were up, only with a fever.

As you say,no wonder it's still running riot as so much mixed messages.

When dh had covid as above

I agree with you. You are sneezing because the active virus wants you to. Sneezing is a great was to spread itself around. It would make sense to tell people that if they have any of the usual signs of transfer like sneezing coughing, runny nose they need to stay in.

People in general don't use common sense and it is your theory and the fact that people are ignoring the rules that is spreading the virus.

What needs to happen is for everyone in the world to isolate for the same two weeks in their own homes. If only that were possible it would die out in two weeks.

It's also quite common to catch a common cold at the same time, or just after, as your immune system is compromised. Doesn't help really does it!

@ssd you still don't need to isolate with a cough. I think this is because the cough can be sign of lung damage rather than an active virus response. Long covid often includes a cough - lasting 6 months +

What needs to happen is for everyone in the world to isolate for the same two weeks in their own homes. If only that were possible it would die out in two weeks
@ReetDortyLass actually it takes 4 weeks, you may not catch it for the first 14 days...

@2020out

I know it contradicts what I said before, but test and trace told me that isolation should continue if I still have a fever, temperature or runny nose. I'm not sure where sneezing fits into that, but maybe you should still isolate?

🤔 I wasn't told this either was told go to only continue if I had a temp! She said if I had other symptoms it's my body shedding the virus. It's actually awful how everyone is getting told different creates so much confusion!

@TheInfected

What needs to happen is for everyone in the world to isolate for the same two weeks in their own homes. If only that were possible it would die out in two weeks *@ReetDortyLass* actually it takes 4 weeks, you may not catch it for the first 14 days...

Even better! If everyone was to isolate for a month or five weeks at the same time it would die out to a massive degree.