Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Start of cold, or covid?

58 replies

MummaBear4321 · 23/12/2020 04:55

For the last 2 days DD has had a runny nose (she is 2). Now I am developing what feels like the start of a cold. I have that niggly feeling at the back of my nose that you get before a cold. I have nowhere to go today anyway so will stay at home and see how it develops, but I am due to have PIL for christmas day and am a little worried. Should I be? Did anyones covid start with the feeling of a cold in the back of your nose?

OP posts:
yearinyearout · 23/12/2020 05:06

My sister started with cold symptoms and it was covid, and my dm now has the "start of a cold" so she has booked a test for this morning (meant to be coming to us for Xmas)

hashbrownsandwich · 23/12/2020 05:07

If in doubt get a test.

Original poster
MummaBear4321 · 23/12/2020 05:09

I started clicking into the book a test online site but stopped when it said 'do you have these symptoms', which I dont. Should i just lie? Weren't they asking people not to test if they dont have the main symptoms, or is that not a thing now?

OP posts:
hashbrownsandwich · 23/12/2020 05:17

No don't lie obviously.

Original poster
MummaBear4321 · 23/12/2020 05:20

But .... if I dont lie then I just cant get a test .... so which one is it?

OP posts:
ShameMacGowan · 23/12/2020 05:37

You'll need to weigh up the risk of potentially having covid and passing it on to your mum against the moral dilemma of lying to say you have one of the 3 main symptoms. I had v similar here this week and stretched the truth. Was positive and thank God I'd done that as we were having our 81year old fil for a few days (he's in our bubble).

I did um and ah about doing it though.

Crowncan · 23/12/2020 05:38

OP I’m in the same situation. Dd has a runny nose and sore throat and so do I. They are not Covid symptoms so as tempting as it is to get a test now and know that we won’t need to do that on Christmas Day we will be following NHS advice and not getting a test unless one of us develops one of the symptoms.

whatswithtodaytoday · 23/12/2020 05:44

If you look at the threads of people discussing their symptoms you'll see that feeling like you're getting a cold is very much a symptom.

Is it really sensible to see your vulnerable relatives, even if you test negative? The tests aren't 100% accurate.

Original poster
MummaBear4321 · 23/12/2020 05:46

My PIL are both in the obese category, and my MIL is extremely obese and was a smoker so hasnt the greatest lungs, both in their late 50s. I feel really silly to consider having a test for what basically feels like a mild cold but when people say 'I had a cold and it was positive' it makes me think 'can I have them over without knowing I definitely dont have it?'. I cant cancel without proper reason. It would break my MILs heart.

OP posts:
Beecham · 23/12/2020 05:50

I'd just get a test and then you'll know.

NotExactlyMrsCurrentAffairs · 23/12/2020 05:53

I had what I felt was a cold coming, as well as a burning feeling in my lungs. After a few days my temperature soared so booked a test and it was positive.

SparePantsAndLego · 23/12/2020 05:58

It’s such a divisive subject but if you can book a test, do so. Have you checked all your temperatures?

bebarkered · 23/12/2020 05:58

Just have the test OP, and, good luck x

Original poster
MummaBear4321 · 23/12/2020 06:02

I have decided to have the test. I dont know if its in my head or if its part of the cold, but I cant taste my coffee like I normally would. I am booked for 8:30 this morning. They had lots of availability at my local drive thru. I cant have my inlaws over with any suspicion that I might have it. I couldnt live with myself if I infected them and then they passed it on to someone vulnerable.

OP posts:
MrsBobBlackadder · 23/12/2020 06:13

Good luck @MummaBear4321 ShockThanks

MrsBobBlackadder · 23/12/2020 06:13

Sorry - not sure where the Shock emoji came from!

Msloverlover · 23/12/2020 06:14

Just tested positive. Started like a cold but with much more sinus pain and not a lot of snot iyswim.

Crakeandoryx · 23/12/2020 06:19

What if you don't get the test but not the results etc. What if your one of the false negatives etc etc I know it's your choice but personally I think the possible risk is just to high. You must consider how you'd feel if they caught covid and the worse happened. How would you feel about Christmas day with them then?

It's one day, they will be vaccinated in a few weeks if they are at risk.

Crakeandoryx · 23/12/2020 06:24

Sorry to be so glum but after 9 months of sacrifice a few more for doesn't seem silly. I'd be gutted if a family member of mine now got covid and it was potentially my fault.

If only I'd held out a bit longer etc. Good luck op but maybe warn your mil so she knows before getting her hopes dashed and a load of prepared food etc!

Original poster
MummaBear4321 · 23/12/2020 06:25

@Crakeandoryx they arent technically at risk. They are months and months away from a vaccine, as am I. I cant get a test, have it come back as negative, and then assume its positive and then just isolate anyway. I have two kids under the age of 3. Staying indoors for 2 weeks when I have been told I dont have covid is self flagellation. I will obviously isolate, as will my family, if I am positive, but to assume I have it when I have been told I dont and I only vaguely have covid symptoms is a higher level of caution than I am prepared to take. I will get the test, but if its negative, I am not going to assume I am positive.

OP posts:
db92 · 23/12/2020 06:28

We had my one year old tested last week at the advice of a covid hub doctor because of his persistent cold and flu symptoms. We raised the same question with her regarding not having the noted symptoms on the website and were told to go ahead and book a test, obviously meaning we had to lie.

If you're in doubt, book a test.

inquietant · 23/12/2020 06:30

To answer the original question - no one can tell a cold from covid without a test. Many many people only have cold symptoms.

Don't take risks with family members - Christmas is the worst time they can catch it as there will be no space in hospitals in a few weeks' time Sad

UncomfortableSilence · 23/12/2020 06:36

DHs started like this, I have it with an array of symptoms, mainly gastric, DH had a few days of feeling like he was getting a cold then started sneezing a lot, then the temp with lots of body aches.

You've done the right thing getting a test.

willsantausesantatize · 23/12/2020 06:38

A few previously' covid denier ' friends now seem to be very poorly with it. It's very close to home around here now:(

Original poster
MummaBear4321 · 23/12/2020 06:44

The mad thing is, if I have it, the only place I could have got it from is Aldi. I went on Monday morning. DH has been home from work since Tuesday of last week. We have been potty training DD so we literally havent gone anywhere or seen anyone since she was at nursery last Wednesday morning. Maybe she has had it and she has had basically no symptoms bar a slightly runny nose (which 2 year olds pretty much always have).

OP posts: