Can I go to the doctors for a cough ?

[Charley198]

I have a cough and a really tight chest, I have had it since Monday. I've done 2 negative LFTs and have no other covid symptoms. I'm going away on Monday and my nephew is currently on day 8 of isolation because a pcr test carried out on his classmate last week has still not been processed (Yr 6 so missed his last week at school based on this childs positive LFT, such a shame).
I'm worried if I go for a pcr I'll be isolating till I get results which I'm pretty certain will be negative, and I have so much to do before my hols.
Equally I don't want to not be seen as I do feel that I have a chest infection coming.
Would I get to see a Dr for this or would they enforce a negative pcr beforehand?
And am I being unreasonable by not going for a pcr?
Never sure when LFT is acceptable.

My symptomatic uncle has just tested positive on PCR after 3 negative LFTs, as has a friend.

They’re not reliable enough for symptoms to be definitely “not covidl

Our GP saw my kid with a horrific cough but we had to wait for a pcr test.

They saw my nephew before his pcr test came through but they saw him outside in a tent thing!

Any joy on your result yet @Charley198 ?

@Orchidflower1 no and I woke at 6am convinced it would be in and it's not, not been able to get back to sleep since as my mind's in overdrive that it won't come today 😔

I’m sure it will be back today @Charley198 you’ve got time until you go away yet to get it back. It must be a worry. How are you feeling in yourself?

You're meant to get a pcr in the first 3 days of symptoms so it might not work.

In our area they have 'red zone' surgeries so if you have any COVID symptoms or actually COVID and not had a test or waiting on results you're seen there.

Usually results are back within 48 hours.

Also the email for my sons PCR came in a couple of hours before the text.

Just came in, negative! So relieved!

GET A PCR

What part of symptoms need pcr do people not understand. Sorry if that upsets you op vis you will be isolating but that what you should be doing anyway .it’s extremely selfish to want to “ go to a Gp “ potentially exposing them and any staff and other patients they encounter .

Regardless of the above a “ chest infection coming “ unless you are actually prone to them/ have underlying chest conditions you do not need to see a Gp.

Remember Lat flow tests are not for symptoms and PCR tests still miss up to 30% cases so it’s entirely possible to have Covid and recover without ever having a positive test

GET A PCR
She has, it was negative. She updated before your post.

[quote Charley198]@PurpleDaisies out of curiosity how come LFTs are good for some scenarios and not for others? Eg. Can use it to go and sit in a football stadium with thousands of others, surely they're either a reliable form of a test or they're not?
Sorry for being clueless on this one.[/quote]
LFTs are used as a screening tool.

Useless to work out if a single individual has covid, but useful if you screen an entire workplace , football crowd or festival population as the percentage of asymptomatic cases you do pick up will statistically reduce spread at the event.

@Charley198

Just came in, negative! So relieved!

Whoohoo.

So glad it’s negative. Hope you stay well but in the future you know what to do if you get a cough/ other symptoms.

Have a nice holiday.

Glad for you that it’s come back negative. Hope you feel better soon.