Confused about whether I should self isolate or not

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I have v mild cold symptoms, an occasional runny nose and sore throat. No loss of taste or smell. None of the 3 main symptoms. I'm double jabbed and don't feel particularly unwell. But I'm due to meet friends tomorrow and now not sure what to do.

I've done the online 111 thing and it just tells me I don't have the main Covid symptoms and to call back if new symptoms emerge. So do I just go about my weekend as normal or do I stay at home waiting to see if I develop a cough or temp?!

I would rather do a PCR test sooner rather than later but it seems I have to have one of the 3 symptoms first .. or do I just assume I don't have Covid? (I've read that a runny nose and sore throat could be the start of it though...,)

Anyone been in similar position or have any advice?

Just book the test and choose one of the symptoms

I’d assume you have it, until tested, I’ve heard of a fair few people testing +ve without the original key symptoms

My husband tested positive this morning with nothing but a runny nose, headache and sore throat. Loss of taste and smell and a cough are relatively much rarer with the delta variant. You need to do a test

Yep, runny nose is the only symptom my positive dd has. Her partner has a headache with runny nose (also positive) the two house mates (awaiting results) all have the same plus occasional random vomiting. They don't seem to be developing any of the classic symptoms. All jabbed.

Myself and three friends tested positive with just a runny nose on a lateral flow test, see if you can get hold of one? I am also double jabbed since May.

I'd do a lateral flow (or two... or three) just for peace of mind.

Do a lateral flow test but don't lie about your symptoms to get a PCR test. Even though the criteria for PCR tests is so restrictive they are missing out on detecting countless cases.

Take a test. As that is what my daughter had turned out to be covid. Manged to pass it on to me. Double jabbed as well. We all had to spend the last 10 days isolating.

You can pick up lateral flows in chemist, but they aren’t supposed to be done with symptoms. That said my son tested positive on lateral flow on Tuesday night and it came up confirmed on PCR the next day. I think the symptoms have changed and runny nose is a new symptoms for delta. My sons main symptoms were headache and cough (later high temp). I have a headache for 3 days and still negative on lateral flow (isolating anyway as he’s positive).

My two teenagers have both rested positive this week. Bad headaches, tired and sore throat were the only onset symptoms. No high temperatures or coughs but they have now lost their sense of smell and taste . I'm planning a very hot curry layer to see of they can detect that.

I would stay at home until you get tested.

@Darbs76

You can pick up lateral flows in chemist, but they aren’t supposed to be done with symptoms. That said my son tested positive on lateral flow on Tuesday night and it came up confirmed on PCR the next day. I think the symptoms have changed and runny nose is a new symptoms for delta. My sons main symptoms were headache and cough (later high temp). I have a headache for 3 days and still negative on lateral flow (isolating anyway as he’s positive).

But she either has symptoms and therefore should use a PCR, or doesn't and therefore should test routinely with an LFT

@HumpHumpWhale

I'd do a lateral flow (or two... or three) just for peace of mind.

I thought lf tests were no good if you had symptoms , i may have got that wrong .

If you download the C-19 Zoe app and log your symptoms there then they will tell you to get a PCR test and you can tick the box on the form that says the app advised you to get a test.
You’re correct that the three most common symptoms for the Delta variant are headache, sore throat and runny nose. It’s madness that the symptoms allowed for a PCR test haven’t changed. The health Secretary has just said he has covid (on the basis of a positive lateral flow test) and his symptom was “feeling a bit groggy”.
Don’t rely on a lateral flow test as they often don’t pick up mild cases. A PCR is much more reliable.

I thought lf tests were no good if you had symptoms , i may have got that wrong.

You’re not supposed to use lateral flow tests if you have symptoms because they’re not that reliable. They’re being used for regular testing of people without symptoms to pick up infections that would otherwise be hidden eg in schoolchildren who may not have symptoms at all. Only a PCR is reliable enough to test someone who has reason to believe they have Covid.

And the symptoms op has are (according to the criteria for a pcr) not!

I think that the OP’s responsible choices are:

1 lie and say you have one of the “allowed” symptoms

2 get the Zoe app, log your symptoms, wait for the email telling you to get a PCR, tick the Zoe app box on the PCR order form

3 isolate for 10 days

Take a lateral as you don’t have symptoms I’d probably book a pcr too .
Lateral tests do work I’ve not met a single person who’s negative or positive test has been confirmed differently by the pcr .

I would personally just lie to get a pcr.

I’ve not met a single person who’s negative or positive test has been confirmed differently by the pcr

I know four people who have had negative lateral flows followed by positive PCRs.

The other way round should be less common

Yes. The danger is someone who thinks they might have Covid relying on a negative lateral flow test. They just aren’t as sensitive as PCRs and so don’t pick up as many of the positive cases. I think a study in Liverpool showed that they only picked up half the positive cases

Thanks all! I'm going to try and book a PCR I think. I've also downloaded the zoe app and that is saying that symptoms of covid in double jabbed people are different, it's more likely to be sore throat / runny nose etc... which makes me think it would be wiser to get the test even if I have to lie to get it!

Better to know now than later. Dreading the possibility of isolating with 2 kids just as weather improves 😕.

They are the exact symptoms of the Delta variant, and what my household are all getting over.

The thing is though that if you take a PCR therefore you have reason to believe you have COVID, and so your whole household should isolate while you wait for the test result.
This is why people with delta symptoms are not getting a PCR and relying on lateral flow tests which are unreliable.
And I include myself in that. Very sore throat and fatigue, negative lateral flow. DH due to work tomorrow. If I request a PCR then strictly we should then isolate from that point onwards.
If they updated the 3 symptoms with those delta symptoms we are hearing about then perhaps they couldn't cope with the demand...

In answer to your original question I would postpone meeting your friends. I'm in a similar predicament and think it's better to do that than risk passing whatever it is on - covid or another virus.