Should we start doing tests for everyone with cold symptoms now?

[PregnantGotCovid]

I've been doing twice weekly lateral flow tests as I'm an hcp.

My test came back positive even though I had no Coronavirus symptoms. On the morning of the test, I had slight cold symptoms (sore throat and nasal congestion). Some of my colleagues have had similar experiences.

If I hadn't had a lateral flow test, I would have had no idea I had Coronavirus.

So is it time now to expand the general public testing criteria?

P.s. 4 days later, I still only have cold symptoms. Has anyone else started with cold symptoms and not developed into anything worse?

Back in May, I got a test with symptoms that weren't on the official list for testing (diarrhoea) - I knew there was research going on into this, and sis get a test.
Last weekend, I had hives under my armpits; skin rashes are another symptom that researchers have linked with COVID. No test available, although admittedly I only checked online rather than phoning this time.

Couple of days later, I had cold symptoms, but no high temperature; I did get a test based on change in sense of taste/smell - although TBH I'd probably get this with a cold anyway - and I'd gargled with Hydrogen Peroxide to get rid of the sore throat, which does bugger up your sense of taste.

Test was positive.
So unless its changed, if you have cause for concern and want a test, call and discuss your symptoms with 111 or GP.

@middleager

I wish they would. I've tried to persuade my aunt to take a test. She has shivers and a cold, according to her, and a couple of paracetamol will do the trick.

She won't test as it's not one of the three 'official' symptoms.

I think she'll be infecting half of Asda tomorrow if it's Covid!

If she has "shivers" likely to be an indication that she has a raised temperature?

Ds had cold symptoms with Covid, however, it started with just a cough which prompted testing. Very mild indeed - regular colds are usually worse for him. No one else in the household caught it.

I have pregnancy rhinitis - I’m constantly stuffy in my nose. If I had a cold I don’t think I would even know! I’m also asthmatic so I cough every day - I don’t know how I would know if I had a “new, continuous cough.”

@Lifeispassingby

DH is a teacher and the parent of one of his pupils tested positive with no symptoms. She then tested her children and they were all positive with no real symptoms. DH is now isolating and has just woken up with a sore throat and headache (this is day 3 since last contact) now I’m wondering if he should get a test??

Yes, get a test.

I got a positive result yesterday. I've had it over a week now and have just got cold symptoms. I didn't get a test until I woke up Thursday morning and had lost taste/smell.

[quote StatisticalSense]@inquietant
Well actually are testing system is flawed because too many tests are being wasted on completely asymptomatic health and care sector workers and care home residents meaning that even with the most testing of any country (per head of population) there are limited tests left for symptomatic testing and it is unrealistic to expand capacity much further. Only if the health and care sector would accept less regular testing would it be possible to introduce a wider criteria for the other tests.[/quote]
My positive test is proof that you are wrong.

I'm an hcp. I had no symptoms on Monday morning bar v minor cold symptoms. Without the lateral flow test, I would have been at work, putting colleagues and patients at risk. It show the importance of asymptomatic testing.

You can't have it both ways OP. If you want the symptomatic testing criteria to be widened you also need to reduce the level of asymptomatic testing as the testing is capacity constrained (although with a much looser constraint than in most countries). Its unrealistic to pick up every case whichever way the testing is organised so the question is will more spread be stopped under the current regime or under a regime of a wider set of symptoms but less HCP testing.

Also the key is in reducing not eliminating asymptomatic testing. Now that lateral flow devices are in sufficient supply the best option would probably to withdraw the weekly PCR tests for asymptomatic staff but maintain the current lateral flow testing regime (both because of the speed of the results and because PCR testing is preferred in symptomatic individuals) .

I've currently got COVID and I was contacted by the NHS Track and Trace today. The guy told me that if after my 10days isolation I had any stomach problems or felt like I had a cold I had to continue to isolate!

Also currently have Covid and have cold symptoms-sore throat, congestion, sneezing and generally feeling run down. Have only just started coughing today on day 6. Positive test picked up by a lateral flow test when I just felt like I was coming down with a cold.

@StatisticalSense i wasn't aware that any health or social are staff are having weekly pcr tests. I had heard of this this last year for staff in some care homes, but this has since been replaced by the lateral flow tests. Everyone I know in health and social care is now using lateral flow.

It does seem silly that I had to to follow up my positive lateral flow with a pcr. Positive lateral flows have a 0.5% error rate. It would be better to have a way to officially logging the positive lateral flows so they are counted in the stats and test and trace.

Hmm this thread has given me food for thought. I have had a headache and sore throat for the past few days and general under the weather feeling. Woke up sneezing alot this morning. Assumed a cold but now wondering!

@Icequeen01Yes! My DH was also told this by test and trace last night... upset stomach or sneezing; don’t go out. Weird that these are not, then, grounds for testing. Am waiting to see if I develop any symptoms now and will then test again. We are both due for vaccination but will have to wait 28 days after any positive test. God I can’t wait for this to all be over.