Is this a symptom?

[expectinglittlebear]

After some advice from those who have had covid if possible.

Myself and DH have been lucky enough to not catch covid at all since the pandemic started, and neither of us have known anyone who has actually had it either. Neither of us have had colds or the flu in the past year and a half either. We have been very lucky.

We went out for a meal with my parents and sister on Saturday for a birthday celebration. We all did LFTs beforehand and all negative. However, the restaurant was very busy and barely any one wearing masks, neither were staff etc. (We all did when up from the table, but took them off at the table obviously)

Anyway, yesterday evening (Sunday) I was out in the garden and the sunlight was hurting my eyes and giving me a bit of a headache. Even looking at the ground when it was sunny hurt my eyes, so I ended up going indoors. Fast forward to today (Monday) and I have woken up with a really sore throat, a bit of a headache and I feel a little achey. My DH doesn't have a sore throat but says he doesn't feel 100%, just like a bit off.

We both did LFTs this morning and both negative.

Because we have never had covid or been around it, I am not sure what to do as LFTs are negative. Not sure if it is just a simple cold / flu, or whether it could be covid.

Also, neither of us have a temperature (we think, don't have a thermometer at home), can still taste and smell things and don't have coughs - which seem to be the main symptoms for ordering a PCR on the NHS website.

I guess my question is, to someone who has had covid, did you have similar symptoms to what I am describing and do I need to do further tests do you think?

A little unsure of what to do.

Thanks in advance.

I had a sore throat recently but no other symptoms. It lasted a couple of days but to be honest, I didn't for one minute think it was Covid. Have you asked your sister and parents if they've similar symptoms?

Have a look at the symptoms here:

covid.joinzoe.com/post/new-top-5-covid-symptoms

Headache is high up on the symptoms list now.

I would treat yourself as being ill, get lots of fluids and rest.
Put your symptoms on Zoe Symptom Study and it may invite you to get a PCR test.

I currently have Covid and have no symptoms at all apart from feeling a little ropey and tired. No cough, can taste and smell things, no temperature. The only reason I found out was because a colleague who I work with tested positive so I went for a PCR. I have done several lateral flow tests, all negative but PCR was positive.

Basically it's up to you but do be aware there is a wide variety of symptoms and LFTs are not terribly accurate. If I hadn't found out that my colleague was positive I would have no idea I had Covid and would have gone about my business as normal.

All 4 in my family started with a pounding headache that came on like flicking a switch. Then our symptoms all varied, sore throat, cough, temperature, loss of taste and smell, bunged up nose, sickness, eye pain. None of us had all of these, but we all had some of them.

I'm currently day 7, positive LFT day 3, positive PCR day 4. My first symptom was sore eyes and light aversion. Followed by headache the next day. Then sore throat, then dizziness and sneezing. I now have a temperature, cough, loss of taste and smell, runny/blocked nose, sinus pain, earache, joint pain and sweating. I didn't get the 3 main symptoms until day 5. You could have any number of things but definitely don't dismiss Covid.

I had a sore throat a couple of weeks ago and felt a bit off was the start of a sinus infection so there is other stuff going around aside from covid. I wouldn’t test unless I had one of the 3 main symptoms despite all the anecdotal responses on here the majority of people I know who have had covid recently have had coughs, temps and loss of smell/taste.

I had loss of smell katie (still do ) but not until day 8! First symptoms for me were nausea and vomiting and an absolutely pounding headache - first symptoms for DS2 were cold like symptoms and a headache (also a raised temperature to be fair but wouldn't have known that without thermometer). I do wish they'd change the symptoms online...

Just get PCR tests. if nothing else, it will rule things out.

Thank you for your responses everyone!

If we were to order PCR tests, do you still need to isolate for a couple of days until results return? (As symptoms aren't those listed) Or carry on as normal (with being careful) until results come back?

Sorry if I sound like a total noob.

You isolate until results are in. They have been coming back within 24-36 hours for most people.

Go and get a PCR done now, you don’t need to order them - oh actually I don’t think you can get same day ones after 3pm.
But if you ring 119 you can make an appointment for the PCR test tomorrow morning and you should get your results back within 24 hours. It’s something like 90% are back with 24hrs so good chance yours will be.

I would either isolate until you have the test or be careful at least (if you have to walk a dog then do it early / late for instance) and once you have the test you do have to isolate but again hopefully it’s only 24 hours!

I think this is a lot quicker than requesting a postal test and sending them back.