Am I right in thinking you can't obtain a PCR(unless you lie) if you haven't got one of the 3 main symptoms.

[Devongirl99]

I remember back in Sep having to get a PCT for my dc as he had a persistent cough and it said on the questionnaire, have you had one of the following symptoms - cough, temperature or loss of taste and smell. Today, we have had an email from the school highlighting that many children are experiencing different symptoms such as sore throat, cold, general unwellness and to be extra vigilant. So I'm asking, should people send away for a pcr test for these symptoms, can you actually do that?

In England it’s now spelt out here - www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing/get-tested-for-coronavirus/ - that you can get a PCR test without symptoms.

It very clearly says;

If you've been in close contact with someone who's tested positive for COVID-19 you can get a PCR test, whether or not you have symptoms.

I do the Zoe study and report on my health. One day I was taking steroids and antibiotics, so said I had a headache (pretty sure it was the steriods) and felt nausea (pretty sure it was the antibiotics).

They advised me to get a pcr test. Despite my reservations, I thought I better had.

Turns out, doing the study and being advised by them to test is a legitimate way to have a test.

It was negative, by the way, which I was pretty sure it would be.