Awful sore throat- PCR rules?

[cautiouscats]

I woke up last night with a sore throat. It's getting worse and worse today, no other symptoms (maybe a very slight sniffle). Very sore.

I work in a school and go back to work on Monday.

I kind of feel like the responsible thing to do would be to get a PCR test, but a) I'm probably not eligible on the basis of a sore throat alone (although I believe a sore throat is a common early delta symptom), and b) I'm not really keen on us all having to isolate while waiting for results, husband missing work etc, when technically I don't have an 'official' Covid symptom and I'm just trying to be cautious/responsible?

I'm a bit fuzzy on the rules at the moment.

No doubt I'll be hauled over the MN coals regardless, but be interested to hear what you would do in my shoes, if anything? I'm keen to do the right thing, I'm just not sure what that is.

Have LFT'd. Negative.

It's not an official symptom and you have negative lft. Likely another bug. So no I wouldn't get pcr. Even if you did, your family no longer need to isolate unless they develop official symptoms, even if you went on to test positive (assuming they are double jabbed or under 18).

Are you in England and is DH doubled vaccinated because he wouldn't need to isolate even if you tested positive.

I'd get a pcr but probably wouldn't isolate in the meantime as I don't have official symptom and also had negative lft.

BTW I had similar last weekend and then was flat out for two days. Was convinced it was covid. But 4 LFTs and 1 PCR said no.

Thank you so much all! Yes, we are in England and DH is double jabbed.

Will see how I feel in the morning perhaps, and get a PCR if I'm no better or have any new symptoms.

Probably is a garden variety throat thing, I'd just feel awful if it WAS Covid, and I knocked out a load of school staff before term even begins 🙈

I had exactly the same thing, the sore throat started about 5 days ago. 2 LFTs negative, I've stayed in (literally in the bedroom, only come out to go the the bathroom), DH has taken DD out a couple of times & I've come out & cooked for myself while they're out as I'm on a really restricted diet, which DH struggles with. Feel much better today, just a bit tired & my throat is almost completely ok but it was dreadful for about 3 days. My ears were a bit sore too. I'm double vaccinated, as is DH.

My mother (vaccine refuser - don't get me started) came round to drop something off yesterday. I'd already done a negative LFT but I refused to come down to speak to her. Whatever it is I don't want to pass it round. She's still taking a risk. I just opened the upstairs window for a minute to chat instead.

I don't think anyone takes notice of "official" symptoms anymore, loads of jabbed people are getting sore throats with it so yes, I would get a pcr test.

It's tricky at the moment. DD felt sick for a few hrs so I tested her even though LFT was negative - PCR was positive. She didn't fall into the normal symptom definition either. I've felt sick too so awaiting PCR. I'm double jabbed though and if neg will crack on. DH is out and about today, no need to isolate or PCR as double jabbed.

I would go on instinct. But love fast if you want the result before Monday.

Move, not love

It probably is a sore throat, not covid. A PCR will let you know for sure. If you'd booked one earlier you would probably have known by tomorrow. Book a test.
Another reason to do so is that if you need to see a GP they won't entertain you without a neg covid result.

My only symptom was a slight cold and sore throat. I'd get the pcr. Mine came back positive and yes its an inconvenience but better than potentially spreading the virus in school at the beginning of term. The results came back in 18 hours for my test.

LFT are for when you have no symptoms so yes do a PCR.

I know a few people who have had sore throat as an early/only symptom.

I would isolate until you receive a negative test. You don't "have" to, but given that you will be working closely with others I think it is the right thing to do. I'm sure there are pregnant or CEV teachers in your school.

My adult sons covid symptoms were all in his throat, like tonsillitis and a temp. This was before delta.

@Northernsoullover

It probably is a sore throat, not covid. A PCR will let you know for sure. If you'd booked one earlier you would probably have known by tomorrow. Book a test. Another reason to do so is that if you need to see a GP they won't entertain you without a neg covid result.

Yes, you are right, I'd have the result in good time if I'd got a PCR today. My throat felt better when I woke and has ramped up massively in the last few hours.

PCR. Every person I know who have had Covid in the last month have started with a sore throat (their second symptom was an upset stomach)

I would isolate until you receive a negative test. You don't "have" to, but given that you will be working closely with others I think it is the right thing to do. I'm sure there are pregnant or CEV teachers in your school.

Obviously these were the people I was thinking of when I posted, not to mention the impact on students when they return a few days later (staff taken out, potential further outbreaks given the incubation period...).

Da has a raging sore throat and a cough. PCR test was negative. The point is, that for every story like mine, there's one where the person was positive with the same symptoms.

The best thing to do is go and get a PCR.

Hope you feel better soon.

In hindsight a scratchy throat was my first symptom which I honestly thought was dust.

I was told by my dr thursday to take a PCR test as I had a sore throat. It's a delta symptom apparently. I am CEV though so not sure if that's a factor.
Came back negative, but better to be safe than accidentally infect someone

PCR booked for the morning 👍

Let us know the results! Curious as I’ve got Covid but have not had any of the classic symptoms

I hope it's negative and you're feeling better soon.

Glad you have one booked. Hope it's negative.

Check with phone on flash see if u have white spots on tonsils x