When would you retest after a negative test?

[Fruitteatime]

I had a cough that started roughly 14 days ago. I tested negative two days after the cough had started. My cough has continued through the last two weeks but today my voice has got more hoarse and I am coughing more frequently. It's not a dry cough as I am coughing to clear my throat. I have no other symptoms except a slightly blocked nose. No fever, no headache, minimal tiredness but I've stayed up late several times, I'm always tired this time of the month and I had my vaccine last week.

I'm just wondering if anyone would test again now? As the nhs does say to test if you normally have a cough but your cough is worse than normal. I really don't know what to do as testing now means being unable to work, which of course I would have done if the test were positive. How long do coughs normally last for you?

Normal coughs can last 2 weeks or more. Was it a PCR test that you had, if so, you were negative 12 days ago and still have the same cough, then you would think it’s not covid. But who knows, I suspect if you wanted to see a doctor, they would ask you to do another test. I would ring 119 to get advice.

I'm in Italy and the rule here is 5 days.

I don't think you need to retest at all. It's the same cough and tests are only accurate within 5-7 days of the start of symptoms anyway

I suppose I'm concerned that this could be a new cough as it's worse and I would expect a cough to be getting better after two weeks. I could phone 119 but I think they'd probably want me to test and if it is the same cough it wouldn't be an accurate result as I've had it so long.

Yes it was a PCR test.

Just FYI I tested on Monday and I was negative. Still coughing though.