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Original poster

Cold symptoms PCR test or not?

38 replies

Pantoufle23 · 20/09/2021 09:03

Hi, can anyone clarify this for me. My teen is off school today with a bad cold since Saturday. No reason to think it's covid and LF test yesterday and today negative. Are we meant to do a PCR test given delta symptom list ie headache, runny nose, bit of a sore throat (no temp) or not? PCR booking list obviously still lists old 3 symptom list.
thanks

OP posts:
BedTed · 20/09/2021 09:05

Yes of course you test with a PCR. Don’t know what magical powers you have with no reason to think it’s covid, even doctors can’t do that.
It’s most likely a cold, but if everyone tests then schools will stay open. No brainier.

middleager · 20/09/2021 09:09

Wish they'd update the symptom list. It's in everyone's best interests, surely?

My teen tested positive LFT awaiting PCR.

I have cold symptoms, negative LFT but just ordered PCR online stating I had one of the three symptoms listed.
I'd rather do that than pass it on to my colleagues.

Pootle40 · 20/09/2021 09:10

@Pantoufle23

Hi, can anyone clarify this for me. My teen is off school today with a bad cold since Saturday. No reason to think it's covid and LF test yesterday and today negative. Are we meant to do a PCR test given delta symptom list ie headache, runny nose, bit of a sore throat (no temp) or not? PCR booking list obviously still lists old 3 symptom list. thanks
Well in answer to the question you asked - are you meant to ? The answer is clearly 'no' despite what the previous poster says. Because they don't have one of 3 recognised in the UK symptoms. Whether you choose to test or not is a personal decision. Do what you feel comfortable doing.
Waxonwaxoff0 · 20/09/2021 09:11

Yes, LFTs are not reliable and cold symptoms are very common with Delta, I had Covid last month and my symptoms were cold like.

WoozySnoozy · 20/09/2021 09:12

No you're not meant to but lots of people have just lied and got a PCR test with those symptoms.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 20/09/2021 09:13

It's the socially responsible thing to do.

WoozySnoozy · 20/09/2021 09:13

@BedTed

Yes of course you test with a PCR. Don’t know what magical powers you have with no reason to think it’s covid, even doctors can’t do that. It’s most likely a cold, but if everyone tests then schools will stay open. No brainier.
There's no of course about it. You go to the website to order it and it is very clear about when they want you to order a test and then later there's a message about not wasting resources. I can completely understand why OP is unsure.
WoozySnoozy · 20/09/2021 09:14

Ps. I would test personally

Original poster
Pantoufle23 · 20/09/2021 09:15

Thanks all. - I get the logic of doing it but at the same time that means at least another day off school even if she's ok tomorrow while waiting for results (key exam year). Wondering if to call school and ask. She really just looks like she has a cold but of course I realise that isn't conclusive!

OP posts:
CottonSock · 20/09/2021 09:16

Our school sent me a letter to book a PCR with no symptoms as dd a close contact. So the information on the 3 symptoms must be outdated.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 20/09/2021 09:16

@WoozySnoozy

No you're not meant to but lots of people have just lied and got a PCR test with those symptoms.
That's what I did and good thing too because I did indeed have Covid. Better to waste resources than pass on Covid to loads especially if you're in a classroom.
Waxonwaxoff0 · 20/09/2021 09:18

@Pantoufle23

Thanks all. - I get the logic of doing it but at the same time that means at least another day off school even if she's ok tomorrow while waiting for results (key exam year). Wondering if to call school and ask. She really just looks like she has a cold but of course I realise that isn't conclusive!
Yes it's annoying but parents won't be thanking you if she goes in and potentially passes Covid on to their kids.
Silkiescatz · 20/09/2021 09:23

Officially you dont test until one of 3 symptoms but its not great advice. Dd got nausea and cold but none of 3 following dh being very ill, he had neg pcr, she did lfts originally as per advice and due to the neg pcr though was off school as ill. 3 negative daily pcrs. Said she wanted to go back to school, I said pcr first, positive.

Dunrovi · 20/09/2021 09:23

@BedTed

Yes of course you test with a PCR. Don’t know what magical powers you have with no reason to think it’s covid, even doctors can’t do that. It’s most likely a cold, but if everyone tests then schools will stay open. No brainier.
You would have to lie to get a test, as cold symptoms don't fit our (very inadequate) list of three. I would lie without hesitation in the OP's circumstances (if only so DS could reassure his classmates "I know it's not Covid, I've had a PCR") but many people wouldn't feel comfortable doing so, that they were somehow degrading if the government (Lol!) or the NHS. Most countries have a much more comprehensive list of symptoms warranting a test than we do. We also seem to have ignored that vaccinated people (the majority of the population now) tend to have much milder symptoms.
Monkey2001 · 20/09/2021 09:23

Our school does not let you back without a negative PCR if you have a cold. I ticked the "told by someone else to get a test" box. If you get it since this morning you should get results before school tomorrow, our results came 18 hours after test last week.

Comedycook · 20/09/2021 09:26

I wouldn't. It's up to the government to change the advice in when to test surely? I'd go by their advice whether I'd test or not.

desperate4spring · 20/09/2021 09:33

My DD has had a 'cold' since Monday last week. She was getting negative lateral flows every day, until Thursday when she got a positive. Confirmed by PCR.

crazyguineapiglady · 20/09/2021 09:38

Legally/officially - no you don't have to

Ethically/sensibly - yes you should probably get a PCR

The government have fucked up every single aspect of their response to covid so I wouldn't necessarily put a lot of faith in the official guidance...

Gizmo98765 · 20/09/2021 09:43

If in any doubt I would def get a test for peace of mind and to help protect myself, my family and my community. Some of whom will either be vulnerable themselves or be in contact with vulnerable people.

Gizmo98765 · 20/09/2021 09:44

This exactly @crazyguineapiglady

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 20/09/2021 09:53

Ds had symptoms of a cold. Definitely do a PCR

Original poster
Pantoufle23 · 20/09/2021 11:35

Thanks all we went and did it but now regretting it as guy as test place said 48-72hrs!!!! Was expecting unless unlucky result in by tomorrow 🤷‍♀️.

OP posts:
OnlyBejoking · 20/09/2021 11:47

@Pantoufle23

Thanks all we went and did it but now regretting it as guy as test place said 48-72hrs!!!! Was expecting unless unlucky result in by tomorrow 🤷‍♀️.
I took DD for a PCR test this morning and we were told they were coming back within 12 hours now as they have set up new mobile labs and so it has speeded up here. We've never had one take more than 24 hours and we've done a few now. You might be lucky!
Yellow85 · 20/09/2021 11:51

My Ds has had an absolute stinker of a cold for just over a week. Like full of snot, sneezing, lost voice. Negative PCR, daily negative LTFs. Started coughing on Saturday, so off we went for another blinking PCR. That’s just came back negative too after 18 hours. The test centre was very quite though when we went.

Original poster
Pantoufle23 · 20/09/2021 11:53

I really hope so Onlybejoking, it will be a nightmare if DD feels better tomorrow morning and we have no result! I was really shocked when he said 48-72, have to hope he didn't know what he was talking about. DD fuming with me now as she is worried about missing more lessons unnecessarily.

OP posts: