I've got a cold, just a cold !

[Desiderata]

As the thread title says, I've got a cold
Had a bit of a sore throat last night, uncomfortable sleep through the night, maybe a bit warm , and woke up choked up and feeling like st this morning, obviously can't taste or smell anything.
I've had 50 something years of experience of colds so I know what one is.
What's the PH advice on having a cold in these new modern Covid-19 times?
Do I legally have to take a test / isolate/ tell someone?
Do I have any kind of moral duty?
I've got an afternoon shift delivering and collecting mail today. Normally I'd just get on with it and go to work just a little bit more miserable than usual. Should I do anything different today?

[NorthDave]

Desiderata said:

As the thread title says, I've got a cold
Had a bit of a sore throat last night, uncomfortable sleep through the night, maybe a bit warm , and woke up choked up and feeling like st this morning, obviously can't taste or smell anything.
I've had 50 something years of experience of colds so I know what one is.
What's the PH advice on having a cold in these new modern Covid-19 times?
Do I legally have to take a test / isolate/ tell someone?
Do I have any kind of moral duty?
I've got an afternoon shift delivering and collecting mail today. Normally I'd just get on with it and go to work just a little bit more miserable than usual. Should I do anything different today?

I think you should do a lateral flow test, at least.

[popeyewhite]

NorthDave said:

Desiderata said:

As the thread title says, I've got a cold
Had a bit of a sore throat last night, uncomfortable sleep through the night, maybe a bit warm , and woke up choked up and feeling like st this morning, obviously can't taste or smell anything.
I've had 50 something years of experience of colds so I know what one is.
What's the PH advice on having a cold in these new modern Covid-19 times?
Do I legally have to take a test / isolate/ tell someone?
Do I have any kind of moral duty?
I've got an afternoon shift delivering and collecting mail today. Normally I'd just get on with it and go to work just a little bit more miserable than usual. Should I do anything different today?

I think you should do a lateral flow test, at least.

Similar to OP, and I did an NHS antigen test which was -. OP, try and avoid coughing in Sainsbury's - unless you want first hand experience of what being a leper feels like.

[BabySharkDooDooDooDooDooDoo]

Lateral flow then PCR if the LFT is +

Lots of double injected are getting similar symptoms and testing positive

[Bill]

LFT isn't meant for someone who's got symptoms. PCR test...

(Even the tests aren't 100% so "50 years of personal cold experience" doesn't cut it! )

[Desiderata]

Thanks for all the replies. I really don't fancy sticking a swab up my nose if it isn't going to give a 100% correct answer, I'd rather just stay at home if that's an option. Do I legally need to take a test?

[dundarach]

Mrs D has a cold last Mon/Tues

Positive Covid Saturday - doh!

Do tests!

[number2]

Symptoms for Covid are wide ranging... I thought like you, but turned out I had Covid.

Just get a test. Should go straight to PCR really but LFT will show it up too in the first instance.

If you don't want to test, then isolate so you don't risk spreading what you don't know you have.

[Dan_1981]

Just do a bloody test it's literally 5 seconds of twiddling a stick up your nostril to find out with a degree of certainty if you have covid or not.

Or book a PCR and go and twiddle it in your nostril and your throat.

[Bill]

number2 said:

LFT will show it up too in the first instance.

LFT false negative rate is too high and may well give false reassurance. If you have symptoms PCR is the only test of any value.

[number2]

Bill said:

LFT false negative rate is too high and may well give false reassurance. If you have symptoms PCR is the only test of any value.

Quite right . It is better the other way round - unlikely to show a false positive.

[BckFlash]

number2 said:

Bill said:

LFT false negative rate is too high and may well give false reassurance. If you have symptoms PCR is the only test of any value.

Quite right . It is better the other way round - unlikely to show a false positive.

I've had 2 false positives from LFT (confirmed by PCR...)

[TVR1]

It’s a cold.

Don’t know where you are but currently, in West London, there’s exactly this going around. Sore throat, sneezing, usual man flu stuff. Caught it from my daughter who’s at Primary School (AKA The Petri Dish). Or my Girlfriend, who’s son is also attending a petri dish.

We’ve had nearly a year and a half of Covid.

Viruses don’t go away. They’re just suppressed by stronger ones.

Covid seems to be contained so all of those other bugs are waiting.

I randomly spoke with my Dr last week, I’m 51 so in the demograph for yearly flu vaccination. Reply? This year, there isn’t one.

IMHO there’s going to be a real problem with non Covid Viruses this Winter.

Edited by TVR1 on Tuesday 12th October 15:37

[NorthDave]

TVR1 said:

It’s a cold.

I randomly spoke with my Dr last week, I’m 51 so in the demograph for yearly flu vaccination. Reply? This year, there isn’t one.

IMHO there’s going to be a real problem with non Covid Viruses this Winter.

Edited by TVR1 on Tuesday 12th October 15:37

I don't know how you can diagnose a code over the internet!

I randomly visited my doctor a few weeks ago and got a flue jab. I'm 43 so its the first time I've had it.

[vulture1]

Nobody cares anymore imo. 100s of customers come into my store coughing sneezing everyday now.

[Terminator X]

Some lady on the train today sneezing away, properly made me jumpy!

TX.

[DodgyGeezer]

I was in the same boat as the OP "it's a cold, nothing to worry about".

After the LFT it turns out I am positive



Well, bugger! Self isolation it is then, no great shakes

As an aside though having a petrol car meant I got back home from bodmin without worrying where to recharge en-route

[The Ferret]

vulture1 said:

Nobody cares anymore imo. 100s of customers come into my store coughing sneezing everyday now.

This. In spades.

Half our office were walking round coughing and sneezing yesterday. Mention the word "test" to them and you get the roll eyes, and rightly so.

Surely if you want to be safe just stay at home until your symptoms have gone. Just like we used to in the good old days of 2019 when we got ill.

[number2]

The Ferret said:

vulture1 said:

Nobody cares anymore imo. 100s of customers come into my store coughing sneezing everyday now.

This. In spades.

Half our office were walking round coughing and sneezing yesterday. Mention the word "test" to them and you get the roll eyes, and rightly so.

Surely if you want to be safe just stay at home until your symptoms have gone. Just like we used to in the good old days of 2019 when we got ill.

Notwithstanding Covid, why on earth is half your office going into the office while sick?

Is the sick half in the office and the other half WFH? . Are there only two people in your office?

[The Ferret]

number2 said:

Notwithstanding Covid, why on earth is half your office going into the office while sick?

Is the sick half in the office and the other half WFH? . Are there only two people in your office?

OK half is an exaggeration. There are 11 in the office, and 4 of them had colds yesterday. That's not unusual for this office, at this time of year. Factor in the issue that immunity to everything has depleted due to nobody being sick for the last 18 months, and I don't expect it to change much this winter.