How can I have a cold?

[Blubellsarebells]

Woke up yesterday morning with a headache, runny nose started in the afternoon and hasn't stopped since.
How?
I went shopping a week ago, met a friend outside for a 20 minute walk on Tuesday.
No contact with anyone else except ds and he's been home with me all week, goes to his dad's on weekends, dad only goes shopping and wfh.

Well you could have caught it from all the places you said. Supermarket, friend, your son.

Friend and ds are both fine.
Would it take a week to show up from supermarket?
Sorry for stupid question just a bit pissed off I've followed all the rules to the letter and still got sick.

Colds are airborne, you can catch one anywhere.

If your friend or ds had already had this cold recently (6 months or so I think) - they might not "catch it" but could still pass it on. But equally what about the post, someone sneezing the other side of a hedge etc.

I personally wouldn't call a headache and runny nose 'sick' but I appreciate everyone is different. People are catching covid using the precautions you describe, so of course you could also catch a cold. I don't really understand your confusion to be honest?

I think a cold takes 1-3 days to incubate so it’s more than likely from your trip out.

I have a cold too but my son is fine. He’s in nursery so I’m assuming it’s from there. It’s only very mild though so I’m sure I’ll live

We had the same cold as you over New Year. Zoe app asked us to test. It was covid. Anecdotally everyone I know who tested positive recently have had those symptoms, not the big 3.

I wrongly assumed that taking precautions to prevent covid would stop a cold also.
I know they're not foolproof.
We hardly ever catch anything or get sick so im surprised and annoyed I suppose.
Now wondering if I should test?

So many people are reporting cold symptoms then going onto test positive for COVID - I wonder if the new strain presents cold symptoms as well...
I personally would get a test.
People that are isolating that are positive with COVID are now being told to remain in isolation if they have a runny nose and sneezing at the end of the 10 days.

Agree with PP. I would get a test to be safe- especially if you have a headache. 91% of people with symptomatic Covid have headaches.

Having a cold isn't being sick don't be so dramatic. I've not heard anyone say that following covid rules would kill off the common cold.

Billions of £££ have been devoted to finding a cure for the common cold for decades if not centuries, if hands/face/space was the answer I think someone would have twigged by now

FIL, lives alone, had a cold the other week. He doesn't go out and the only people who visit him is myself & DD or his son when we take his shopping or drop him food parcels.
Like you OP we couldn't figure out where he had got it from, us three didn't have a cold and the day we took shopping and he was full of the cold we hadn't been round for a week because DD was at school and OH had been quite busy at work.

I had cold symptoms and it was covid. I'd probably test if I were you

Get a test, that's how my covid started, the "classic" symptoms didn't appear until day 7 or so

Will see if I can get a test by post.
It didnt even occur to me this might be covid so im glad I asked my stupid question now.
Ive followed all the rules to the letter, I'm not even in a support bubble even though I could choose one.
Headache has eased off a bit now but was awful yesterday.

Well you've been to the supermarket, met a friend and have a child who saw their dad a week ago. Lots of opportunity to catch a cold

Of course if you go for a walk with someone you are at risk of catching a cold/covid whatever. The risk is lower than if you sit inside with them, or shag them but there's a risk with any human interaction. Just because they are the rules doesn't mean they completely eliminate the risk

Ive got a tptally unscientific theory that loads of colds viruses just live up your nose permanently and then start multiplying when the conditions are right.

Im not well so what should I call it?
We are both well 99.9% of the time, very healthy, dont tend to catch things, my 12yo has never been to a doctor.
Suppose I'm just annoyed that I'm doing everything right and being so careful and still catch something.
Hopefully not covid but will test.
Interesting theory Millie, i wonder if staying inside 23hours a day has not helped.
I know this is not a healthy way to live.
Feeling fed up now.

That’s how my covid started. Only got one of the classic 3 symptoms on day 8. I would absolutely get a test. (I was also extremely careful.)

My Covid started off like this. Of you can go to get tested over a home kit. They takes ages to come back.

@WednesdayWoohan I got my results the day after I sent it off.

Personally I've never had a headache with a cold
It always starts with a sore throat and then a runny nose and then sometimes a post cold cough.
Id also get a test

You realise a cold is also a coronavirus right?

And nothing will stop you catching a microscopic virus short of living in an hermetically sealed bubble? You can try to prevent it, and should try to prevent it but viruses are gonna do what they're gonna do.

"Interesting theory Millie, i wonder if staying inside 23hours a day has not helped."

Probably not. I am actually germphobic, too easy for a cold to become pneumonia with my health. So hygiene measures for covid are not new to me. I even use a nasal rinse and mouthwash after being on the Tube or a day in the office, or night at theatre.

But I can't help wondering what is happening to the immune systems of those who aren't having much contact. I don't know but I'm guessing some level of normal life is good for you?

I still have to use the Tube to care for mum. I think that's a good thing, much as I hate the Tube!