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Covid

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Original poster

Do people still test for a cold?

99 replies

saffy56 · 01/09/2022 11:10

Do people still test for a cold/sore throat? My DD has a cold and sore throat and we have no tests left. She wants to carry on as normal but my DH says she mustn't leave the house until she has tested negative. I didn't actually think testing was still a thing.

OP posts:

Pepperama · 03/09/2022 20:03

Yes, just did. I want to know if I have Covid and if I did I’d still stay home for a week to not pass on. Long Covid is just awful and I don’t want to be responsible for ruining someone’s life

SpindleInTheWind · 03/09/2022 20:04

passport123 · 02/09/2022 13:52

GP here - none of my patients are testing. They don't have tests any more or the cash to buy them.

How do I know you're a GP?

How do you know that none of your patients are testing?

Sounds a bit suss to me.

hamdden12 · 03/09/2022 20:07

I'm not testing for a cold because we've been told throughout that covid is a million times worse than a cold or the flu so if I have cold symptoms and I'm not at death's door I'll assume it's a normal bog standard cold and carry on with life.

SallyWD · 03/09/2022 20:32

hamdden12 · 03/09/2022 20:07

Erm... That doesn't make sense. We've been told from the very first day that symptoms will differ greatly between individuals. I remember being told at the first ever government briefing that a large minority will have NO symptoms whatsoever, most will have some symptoms but recover well. Others will become seriously ill and some will die. We have always known this!! Whilst one person has mild cold symptoms, they could give it to someone else who develops severe symptoms. This is exactly why we had lockdown, wore face masks and had to test. For this reason, if I have cold symptoms I'll test. It may be mild for me but may kill my elderly father.

DillDanding · 03/09/2022 20:38

If we had tests, I might do one if I felt very unwell. But we haven’t any left now, so I wouldn’t bother buying.

I had covid in July and felt pretty fine.

shinynewapple22 · 03/09/2022 20:38

TurquoiseJungle · 03/09/2022 19:33

I did each time I got a cold and have now have covid three times in just over 3 months... so getting more frustrated and unsure how sustainable it all is.

@TurquoiseJungle did you have a negative test in between times ? Could it have been the same infection showing on your test ? So much for getting some immunity then - I know you can get more than once but 3 times in 3 months sounds horrendous.

TurquoiseJungle · 03/09/2022 20:42

@shinynewapple22 yes negative in between and definite separate 'colds'/bouts of illness.

rnsaslkih · 03/09/2022 20:48

Yes. We had covid in August. For my dd, it was an extra bit of sleep. For my dh it was indistinguishable from a cold. Croaky voice, snotty nose. For me it was the voice, sore throat, temp, tiredness, headache etc. For my mum it was all of the above and required emergency treatment. For others, they’ll die. We are still looking at about 100 deaths a day and anyone decent would consider who they are passing it to.

Original poster

saffy56 · 04/09/2022 14:31

Gosh lots of varied responses. It seems to be what works for each family. She carried on as normal as I can't afford to buy tests. She is 15 and within 2 days her cold was gone.

If I was given free tests I would test but otherwise will carry on as normal. My SIL spent over £50 on tests testing her and her family every single day when they all had colds every test was negative but she wanted to test just in case. She has now bought another bulk of tests for when they get colds when go back to school.

OP posts:

Lilacsunflowers · 04/09/2022 15:16

My SIL spent over £50 on tests testing her and her family every single day

It's not just the financial cost that many can't afford, but just think of the environmental cost of the thousands of little plastic bits....!!

KassandraOfSparta · 04/09/2022 15:57

Concern about single use plastic has gone right out the window because of Covid.

Abraxan · 04/09/2022 16:23

passport123 · 02/09/2022 13:52

GP here - none of my patients are testing. They don't have tests any more or the cash to buy them.

I'm confused to how you know this, unless you have a very small number of patients and know them all really well.

It's certainly not something I've discussed with my GP. I haven't even discussed it with my consultant. Dh and dd haven't discussed it with their GPS either.

BrownOrangeRed · 04/09/2022 16:32

No. I had a "cold" last month, cough, lost my sense of smell, exact same symptoms as when I had COVID earlier in the year confirmed by a test. Didn't have any tests this time, even if I had one and if it came back positive, I still would have carried on as normal, gone to work, gone shopping, gone to appointments...etc.

Siameasy · 05/09/2022 23:27

I had some tests left so I did one (currently 2 weeks into Covid, still feel nauseous) but when we run out I won’t buy any more.

worriedatthistime · 05/09/2022 23:41

I know plenty of people whi have to go into work even if they have covid so they aren't testing
I only know a handful of people who are at £10 for 5 tests its not affordable for many now

sonjadog · 07/09/2022 21:52

I will test until I run out of free ones (I have about 5 left), but after that I won’t. They cost about 50 pounds a pack in the country I live and there is no way I am spending that on covid tests, especially as testing is no longer required by the government.

LadyWithLapdog · 07/09/2022 22:14

Two in our household have had it again last week so we will be testing before going out (or not) at a family event. It’s £10 for 5 tests.

MadisonAvenue · 12/09/2022 01:43

I started with a cough last Monday, I tested on Tuesday out of curiosity as I don’t usually get a cough on it’s own and it was negative. I was still coughing on Thursday and felt really tired so tested again as I was going to a football match that night and was still negative.

On Friday my nose was blocked and as I had to take some shopping to my elderly parents I thought I’d better test again just to be on the safe side and a very bright positive appeared as soon as the fluid hit the test strip. I’m so glad that I didn’t just write it off as a cold as I’d have hated to have given it to my parents as they’re both approaching 90 and have become so frail recently.

polmnlj · 12/09/2022 14:20

I haven't had covid yet so I will test if I get covid symptoms. I have tests left so no problem. I won't test the dc if they get cold though. I need to test because I am taking part in moderna covid vaccination study.

User47484739478474 · 14/09/2022 19:34

Most families cannot afford to buy multiple tests for colds etc. I don't plan to test my kids unless they are particularly poorly, if they just have a smiggle I will not be testing, as I can't afford to.

Buzzinwithbez · 16/09/2022 19:27

I would think people who frequent the covid forum are more likely to test than others who've forgotten it exists.

BCBird · 16/09/2022 19:31

I still test before meeting anyone. I think it is irresponsible of the government to remove the need for tests, although we should not need to legislate for common sense.

Scianel · 16/09/2022 21:09

Poor DH had to have about a million tests for work travel. His right nostril actually went numb.
He's certainly not testing now that he doesn't have to any more.

BlooberryBiskits · 24/09/2022 22:14

Claricestarling1 · 01/09/2022 19:25

Sure do..tested my cold this morning and hello covid

^ this (well, last night).

Cancelled a planned get-together for 12 (I’m pretty sure they are all v happy I’ve tested) & will spend the weekend getting well.

Plan to test again on Monday & will wait for 48 hours from a clear test before going out: I had social plans on Tuesday & have cancelled those too

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