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Original poster

Likelihood this is a cold or covid?

46 replies

Lockdown2worry · 18/12/2020 21:50

Have had a scratchy throat on and off this week which normally means a cold is on its way. Have now come out in a heavy cold, nose streaming and totally bunged up. Eyes sting a bit and inside of mouth feels sore in places for some reason.

But hardly any sense of smell or taste. Couldn't even smell olbas oil when right under nose. Could just be due to cold and being bunged up - how likely do you think it is to be anything more?

Only nipped into shops and been out for walks so limited contact but DS is at primary school which is most likely route of exposure.

Have tried to get a test several times today but no postal ones available and nearest test centre 60 miles away. Will keep trying.

OP posts:
covetingthepreciousthings · 18/12/2020 21:53

It could be, or it could just be a cold. You're doing the right thing by trying to get a test though. Keep trying, I know earlier in the year they seemed to release more at certain times.

Sparky888 · 18/12/2020 21:54

Covid

MarcelineMissouri · 18/12/2020 21:55

Sounds like a cold to me

MsAwesomeReindeer · 18/12/2020 21:57

The only way to know for certain is to get s test. It's a pain trying to get one at the minute in a lot of places though. Keep trying. Flowers

cherrypie790 · 18/12/2020 21:57

Given 2% of the population have had Covid, and 98% haven't, I'd go with cold.

AngelicaElizaAndPeggy · 18/12/2020 21:58

Defo a cold. You can't smell anything because you have a cold. However, you could have asymptomatic covid? The whole things bonkers - you're definitely within your rights to get a test. Good luck, I hope you are fighting fit again soon.

niknac1 · 18/12/2020 21:59

The first symptoms I noticed when I had COVID was loss of taste and smell, initially I had. temp of 37.6 but it went to 39.1.

greenlynx · 18/12/2020 22:00

I would say more Covid than cold. Olbas oil is pretty strong stuff. Hope I’m wrong.

AngelicaElizaAndPeggy · 18/12/2020 22:01

My husband lost taste and smell too as his first Covid symptom. But he had no congestion at all and not a hint of a cold- it really freaked him out.
So I think the fact that you're all snotty is encouraging, hopefully!

AstridAv · 18/12/2020 22:03

I would test if you can. I have covid and cant smell olbas oil. My symptoms didn't 'kick in' for around 5 days. No temp and not much of a cough to begin with.

Original poster
Lockdown2worry · 18/12/2020 22:05

Glad cold seems to be the consensus! No temp and feel pretty much normal in myself, just a little worn out from being blocked up and constantly blowing nose.

Are tests released at certain times of the day does anyone now? It's a pain to go through several stages just to find out there's no availability!

OP posts:
Original poster
Lockdown2worry · 18/12/2020 22:08

@AstridAv feel better soon Flowers will definitely keep trying for a test in case it's similar to your experience

OP posts:
saneandwelladjustedallegedly · 18/12/2020 22:14

I've got the common cold right now (hence my prolific MN posting as I CBA to do anything else,
I'll name change after the weekend). I have a runny nose, sneezing that is testing my pelvic floor, stuffy, heavy head, lethargic and I needed a spicy curry for tea tonight to hit the spot. I'm sick of people asking me if it's covid. No! This is likely the 30th cold I've had in my life and I know the symptoms. But sadly everyone around me is saying 'oh you should get tested to be in the safe side' I won't be. I'm keeping myself to myself as I have for every other cold I've had. There are other viruses and low level illness still doing the rounds. Off for a medicinal gin now...

Original poster
Lockdown2worry · 18/12/2020 22:29

Ha @saneandwelladjustedallegedly you have summed up my symptoms perfectly, right down to the pelvic floor Blush Enjoy your gin. Curry for dinner tomorrow is tempting me now...

OP posts:
covetingthepreciousthings · 18/12/2020 22:29

I'm sick of people asking me if it's covid. No! This is likely the 30th cold I've had in my life and I know the symptoms

My MiL was also convinced like you she just had a cold.. she wasn't, it was Covid. You can't guarantee it isn't Covid despite you knowing the symptoms of a cold.

GingerAndTheBiscuits · 18/12/2020 22:31

We can get tested for cold symptoms here. I have a heavy cold as of yesterday, but suspect I had covid back in March and symptoms were very different - very sudden onset very high fever, shivers, awful headache, no appetite, ridiculous fatigue that went on for days. Couldn’t get tested back then though!

Original poster
Lockdown2worry · 18/12/2020 22:39

That's interesting - I'd read somewhere that a runny nose/cold unlikely to be covid but it sounds like it could be a symptom for some as PP says. I wouldn't have tried to get a test for a regular cold but the smell/taste thing seems more prevalent than in previous colds I've had. Or maybe I'm just noticing it more now due to the focus on it.

OP posts:
FoodDrive · 18/12/2020 22:47

Can you really not get a test? I’m in tier 3 admittedly but there’s loads of slots near us. Plus the option of a home test. You need to get a test because of your change in smell

helloxhristmas · 18/12/2020 22:51

Just get a test and then you'll know. No one. Can diagnose you here.

FoodDrive · 18/12/2020 22:52

Home tests are released at 8am I think

RainMoon · 18/12/2020 22:53

Falling over tests here.
Of course you need to test and isolate your household.
Shops/supermarkets are full of aerosolised virus let along schools.

All the people saying it’s just a cold/don’t test are the reason why people are dying. It’s horrific in hospitals.

BringBiscuits · 18/12/2020 22:53

A pharmacist friend of mine said if you can breathe through your nose but still not smell then that’s unlikely to be a cold.

BringBiscuits · 18/12/2020 22:55

There’s lots of symptoms of Covid. I would get a test. Even if you think it may be unlikely to be Covid, better to know for sure.

Chesneyhawkes1 · 18/12/2020 22:56

I've just had this. I couldn't even smell my dogs raw tripe when I dished it up.

Really sore throat. Head ache. Bunged up. Smell and taste not the same.

Test came back negative so just a bad cold

PropertyHelp · 18/12/2020 22:58

My niece had bunged up nose and then lost her sense of taste and a bit fuzzy headed. Tested positive as part of Uni testing