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Original poster

Do we treat everything as covid?

27 replies

Mommyb4 · 15/07/2022 10:48

Hi all.

I've read quite a few posts from people saying they've got covid but tested negative. How do you know its covid? Summer colds have always been around. I remember being completely floored by them. Do we now treat every cold symptom as covid?
I'm triple jabbed , wear a mask where necessary but just not sure how to behave anymore.
I've currently got a snuffly nose, scratchy throat but tested negative. I have a weekend of wonderful things planned. Do i cancel everything....just in case? Has covid made me crazy. Probably🤪

OP posts:
TheKeatingFive · 15/07/2022 10:51

I have a weekend of wonderful things planned. Do i cancel everything....just in case?

Why would you do that?

Youre testing negative in a world where hoards of people aren't even testing any more.

Original poster
Mommyb4 · 15/07/2022 10:54

Very true. If covid wasn't around, it wouldn't cross my mind to cancel. Id trwat it as a cold and be mindful of people. Thats it! No way would i cancel plans. This era of covid does strange things to your mind!

OP posts:
PinkPlantCase · 15/07/2022 12:56

If you’re testing negative then you don’t have covid…

We’ve had lots of colds and flus that have been brought home by DC from nursery. There’s loads of bugs about that aren’t covid.

I’d only cancel plans if we were too ill or if they were with vulnerable people like elderly grandparents. I might let other people know in advance that I have a cold or cough but that it’s not covid.

cottagegardenflower · 15/07/2022 13:12

DS1 had a strong positive covid test on monday, and yesterday DS2 had a fever, cough and snotty but tested negative. No idea whats going on but little one cries when i test so i wont test him again.

Throwaway5588 · 15/07/2022 13:14

Sorry, this probably isn’t what you want to hear, but I tested negative with mild cold/hay fever symptoms for several days before I got a blazing positive less than 12 hours after the last negative.

(I kept testing as my DH has covid)

MancLass76 · 15/07/2022 13:18

Same here @Throwaway5588 feel no different today than I have all week slightest sore throat and stuffy nose, testing everyday and last night LFT was like Blackpool illuminations, gutted as it’s my sisters wedding this weekend.
loads have said why did you test but my conscious got the better of me 😢

etopp · 15/07/2022 13:20

If you feel really ill, you won't feel like doing any of the things you planned. If you don't feel really ill, crack on.

This is surely common sense, and has nothing to do with Covid. I have never done a Covid test and am not starting now.

Throwaway5588 · 15/07/2022 13:40

@MancLass76 Much sympathy from me - it’s my DH’s 40th birthday today and we were supposed to be on holiday. Missing your sister’s wedding is even worse, I’m so sorry.

@etopp I agree about using common sense, but the issue is that people respond so differently to this virus. What’s no more than a mild sniffle for you could knock someone else for weeks (or worse). Putting our heads in the sand and pretending covid doesn’t exist is not sustainable. The impact on public services as well as public health.

worriedatthistime · 15/07/2022 13:59

The thing is yes something could turn to covid but if you feel well then you can't isolate every time just incase it becomes covid
My ds suffers from hayfever/ allergies he sneezes everyday sometimes runny nose
I cannot afford or put him through testing everyday

LT2 · 15/07/2022 14:10

How many times are people testing i wonder. I didn't get a positive until day 5. For me covid is like a mild cold - runny nose, sneezing. This is the second time I've had it.

ReviewingTheSituation · 15/07/2022 14:40

Those of you testing all the time, did you just stockpile loads of tests whilst they were free, or are you buying them? I know a few people that are still testing regularly (mainly because they are in contact with CEV people), but I haven't done a test since free testing stopped (I haven't had any symptoms, or knowingly been in contact with someone +ve, so seen no need to test whatsoever).
I guess I'm just intrigued by the high level of testing that seems to happen on MN!

I think if I had symptoms, I would probably test, but if it was +ve, I wouldn't bother testing again. I'd just stay home (can WFH) for at least 5 days, or until I felt better if after 5-7 days. What's the point in wasting tests on continued testing once you know you're positive? A test won't tell you how infectious you are (someone testing +ve on day 10 may or may not be more infectious than someone who tests -ve on day 8 - no-one really knows, especially as the 'day 1' is slightly arbitrary, and one person's day 1 levels of infectiousness will be different from another's)

Rocky2022 · 15/07/2022 20:03

Took me 36 hours from symptoms to get my positive. I stupidly thought it wasn't COVID and carried on as normal.

Watapalava · 15/07/2022 21:31

You don’t need to test anymote

that’s literally the guidance now

stay in if unwell otherwise go out - with covid or not

ik not testing now because even if I had covid I’d still do all the things I want regardless of postive test if I was well so what’s the point

its not illness that’s grinding jobs to a halt it’s endless testing

stop testing and follow the guidance. A

BuwchGochGota · 15/07/2022 21:35

Watapalava · 15/07/2022 21:31

You don’t need to test anymote

that’s literally the guidance now

stay in if unwell otherwise go out - with covid or not

ik not testing now because even if I had covid I’d still do all the things I want regardless of postive test if I was well so what’s the point

its not illness that’s grinding jobs to a halt it’s endless testing

stop testing and follow the guidance. A

It depends where you are. This is the guidance in England, but in some parts of the UK you are still advised to test if symptomatic and because of this tests are still free.

milkysmum · 15/07/2022 21:40

I thought the guidance was still to try and stay indoors/ away from other for 5 days if you have covid? ( 3 days now for children).
I'm on day 5 after testing positive and haven't left the house!

Watapalava · 15/07/2022 21:42

Milksmum

thr guidance is to try avoid but the guidance also stated that adults do not need to test and that kids absolutely shouldn’t test unless advised by Dr

so really no one should have to follow the ‘keep away from people advice”

Reluctantadult · 15/07/2022 21:44

I was negative Friday with symptoms, positive Monday, still raging positive today. Dh has had the same symptoms but milder, and has only ever tested negative.

milkysmum · 15/07/2022 21:49

I have to test for work. My teen took a test when she started with symptoms a few days after me.
I can't go into work with covid, but I'm now not clear if I need a negative LFT to return or not. I'll have to double check Monday.

Tiani4 · 15/07/2022 23:49

I had covid a couple months ago and tested negative for it despite symptoms for 4 days! (Negative LFTs for further 4 days and negative PCR in second day) until 5th day both LFTs and then PCR went hugely positive.

I knew I had covid as both DDs had it (& they took similar amount of time to show on LFTs after we knew they had it with symptoms ) but mainly due to symptoms as i showed as I'm CEV (clinically extremely vulnerable ) & my oxygen levels dropped dangerously.

I had to take the PCR tests as my GP surgery wanted to start me on the trial antivirals -as it was the tests didn't show until I was admitted to hospital on oxygen- so they couldn't prevent what they were trying to, at the time due to tests not picking it up. .

I am quadruple vaccinated and had been for two weeks when I caught covid again then. At least it was a short hospital stay this time

Tiani4 · 15/07/2022 23:50

Btw I then showed as positive in LFTs for 10 days (still with symptoms)

Dishh · 16/07/2022 02:50

@Watapalava

stay in if unwell otherwise go out - with covid or not

ik not testing now because even if I had covid I’d still do all the things I want regardless of postive test if I was well so what’s the point

Because you could spread the virus to others who then may not be as well as you? Asymptomatic spread does occur even if you're feeling well.

workwoes123 · 16/07/2022 06:09

I’m anther one who tested negative for 3 days and even then it was only a faint positive. I read somewhere that this seems to be more common with this variant - infected but taking longer to test positive. So several more days of possibly infecting other people - just as the holidays start 🙄. 10 days on I still feel awful, exhausted, sick, dizzy.

Doingmybest12 · 16/07/2022 07:01

Just tested faint positive today, have been positive for 10 days,until now the results have been very clear. For me it has been horrible and I am pleased I was able to stay in and wfh when I have felt able to. Not everyone has the choice. Wouldn't wanted to have passed it on to vulnerable people or those waiting for an operation or going on holiday.

AuntieMarys · 16/07/2022 07:16

I've had a sore throat, earache and headache for 3 days. Not feeling ill...just aware that I'm not 100%.
3 negative lfts.
I'm going out for lunch today.
I've not had Covid before and
I'm assuming I don't have it now.

Annoyedwithmyself · 16/07/2022 07:22

I tested negative with some older LFTs, painful throat, chest and joints, then got a strong positive with a new test (I work for the NHS so ordered some new).

If you're testing negative then you could go with that. It's the information you have. I would be careful if your plans involve anyone vulnerable though.