Are people still getting non-COVID viruses?

[Frazzledstar1]

Been feeling a bit unwell with a scratchy throat so been doing LF tests for 5 days in a row now, all negative so far. Cough has turned wet/chesty (little bit of phlegm coming up - sorry tmi) and now I have a slightly raised temperature. Is it possible that I’ve caught a regular old cold virus, or should I be waiting for the positive LF to appear?

About 1 month ago I was feeling crappy with a raised fever and I’d travelled abroad so had received fit to fly tests and day 2 tests etc and all negative. So I’m hopeful this is just a cold. Can anyone offer me some positive vibes? I have a Christmas trip planned and I’d hate to miss it

I can confirm I have had plenty of non-Covid viruses over the past few months! Hope you feel better soon.

Yes! Me and baby currently have a cold with a cough. Confirmed not covid by a PCR. I know lots of other babies with colds too.

That said I am currently waiting nervously for a LFT to mature 🤣

Tons of them floating about

I'd take a PCR with those symptoms OP.

DD had a very mild cold last week (daily LFTs, all negative). It was so mild it barely registered. I have it now, again LFTs all negative. I've had covid twice (last time in September, and asymptomatic) and I'm triple jabbed.

There are definitely other viruses available but with a cough, temperature and scratchy throat I'd be PCRing.

Yep, there seems to be a cold you can't fully shift doing the rounds here.

Yes. Have a child in nursery. Constant colds.

You shouldn’t be using a LFT if you have symptoms, it won’t give you a correct result. You need a PCR.

Should add though OP that if you have a cough or a temp you need to do a PCR test.

Yes whole family had one end of October, everyone else got over it I'm now on antibiotics as mine turned into a sinus infection

Well they didn't all think "ah fuck it, no point in us being here now" and disappear when covid arrived 🤣

No, they’ve put them all in a storage container while we all deal with covid.

Yes of course other viruses are about.

But you probably need to take a pcr.

Yes, been sick since my lo started nursery 3 months ago, had at least 6 colds!

Also came down with covid 2 weeks ago and it started just like all the colds so definitely get a PCR, and get well soon.

Amd you should be doing a lf with those symptoms. How do people not know this by now?

DH has had a very wet chesty productive cough and cold for over a week and got a negative PCR this morning.

I have a very dry sore throat for 2 days and I'm positive.

I was convinced we’d be the other way round and it’d be him with covid. He obviously has a different virus.

Sorry shouldn't be doing a LF. You need a pcr

You need a PCR.

However, yes of course there are other viruses around. My 3 year old has had a cold or stomach bug every 2-3 weeks since August. No Covid yet, though I'm sure it's on its way.

The guidance for getting a PCR test is having at least one of the 3 covid symptoms I.e.:
Fever
Persistent cough
Loss of smell/taste

So just sniffles and/or a sore throat don’t fulfil the criteria.

That said, Tim Spector has been trying to persuade the government to expend this list for a while now.

www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test

But yes, there are loads of non-covid seasonal respiratory viruses doing the rounds, as every year (except when in lockdown).

Of course there is but testing is important. I had a cough and slightly unwell last week at the same time Dp had covid. All my tests (3 pcrs and multiple lft's) were negative. My cough was not covid.

This week I've tested covid positive with head cold symptoms. The cough I had last week is gone. Doctor said j likely had covid last week just tests weren't detecting it pretty sure it was just another virus as this weeks symptoms are new since testing positive.

So I think I've have had two viruses back to back. Thankfully both mild.

LFT unreliable with those symptoms. Tested while had symptoms for 6 days in a row. All neg. Did PCR had Covid

Yes, lots of sore throats / coughs doing the rounds here that are not Covid

@AD80

Of course there is but testing is important. I had a cough and slightly unwell last week at the same time Dp had covid. All my tests (3 pcrs and multiple lft's) were negative. My cough was not covid.

This week I've tested covid positive with head cold symptoms. The cough I had last week is gone. Doctor said j likely had covid last week just tests weren't detecting it pretty sure it was just another virus as this weeks symptoms are new since testing positive.

So I think I've have had two viruses back to back. Thankfully both mild.

To add at present since having positive covid test, I have none of the main three. Feels like a head cold. Last week I had one of the tree official symptoms and was negative.

Government really need to update things.

Yes have had virus after virus in our house, never tested positive once even with PCR. There's lots going about as there always is this time of year.

Yep. I’ve got a bad cold that is dragging on and on. My nose is doing my head in.

Yup, all 4 members of the household here have had colds.

2 of us have to test every day for work so we are as sure as we can be that it isn't Covid, it's just a cold and sore throat.

There is an absolutely foul virus doing the round at the moment (I’ve got it).