When to count isolation from?

[DesertSky]

I had what I thought to be the dreaded cold going around with has crept up slowly over the past 10 days. It started with a sore throat, stuffy head etc. Whole family had been doing regular laterals, all negative. Yesterday I started to feel worse, very heavy headed, snotty, fatigued and shivery. Took another lateral test whilst I booked PCR which came up as strong positive. I’m awaiting PCR results which I’m expecting to be positive, but in the meantime I’m really confused as to when to count the 10 day isolation from? NHS states 10 days from the start of symptoms, but if I count back from when I started to feel unwell that was over 10 days ago now. I obviously won’t go out until I feel better, but surely I can’t be contagious for another 10 days? I never had 1 of the 3 main COVID symptoms until today when I’ve lost sense of smell/taste. Thanks x

Then from today, when you did have one of the main Covid symptoms.

That’s what I wondered, but was confused as it was obviously building up in my system and I was displaying symptoms just not the 3 common ones. I’ve since heard when you’re double vaccinated it can present more like a cold.

I would count from date of test too

The problem is that it’s quite possible that you had something else initially and then got covid on top of it. Were you isolating with the previous symptoms or carrying on as normal.

My guess is that since the symptoms got worse yesterday and that’s when you got the positive on the LFT

Oops, pressed post by accident. Should end -

that the 10 days should start from yesterday.

You count 10 days from the day after when symptoms start. So your 10 days start today. You must have had something else initially as you wouldn’t suddenly get a positive test on day 10, your viral load would be very low by then.

Yes looks likely I had a cold first - my DD had a mild cold 2 weeks ago (sniffles only for barely couple of days) so assumed I just caught her cold, started to feel a bit better than worse. Will count today as day 1.

My ds had a cold for a good week, then developed a cough (as colds do) then the cough worsened/changed and he had a headache. The following day he had a temp. We’re counting from the headache.

Nhs track and trace will ring you after positive PCR and talk you through it then send you confirmation of dates and what symptoms mean you should isolate beyond that date