Can I go to work if I have a cough or cold?
WINTER is on the way and with it comes cold and flu like symptoms such as the sniffles and a cough.
The coronavirus epidemic has meant that more of us are focused on our health – especially when it comes to having a cough or cold like symptoms.
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A new persistent cough is a key symptom of the coronavirus [/caption]The NHS states that one of the key symptoms of Covid-19 is a new persistent cough.
This is usually experienced with a loss of taste or smell and a high temperature.
A cough is also a symptom of the common cold and experts have said there are things you can look out for.
But going into the office with a cough or cold could draw unwanted attention as many people continue to be on high alert for symptoms of the coronavirus as cases across the UK continue to rise.
What’s a Covid cough?
Experts say that the key thing to remember if you have a cough is that a coronavirus cough can differ from that experienced with the common cold.
Speaking to The Sun, Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and Clinical Director of Patientaccess.com said a Covid cough is one that you will experience for a longer time period.
Dr Sarah said: “Some of the symptoms of colds and flu are similar to those of Covid-19.
“If you have a ‘new, continuous cough’ – that means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours.”
Should I go to work?
Dr Sarah said that if you have a cough or any symptoms of the coronavirus then you should stay at home and request a test.
She said if you usually have a cough but have contracted the virus then the cough could be worse than usual and you shouldn’t go to work.
Dr Sarah added: “Even if you don’t have a fever and feel okay in yourself, you should always stay home if you have a cough.
“You must also tell everyone you live with to stay home until you’ve had a Covid-19 test.”
You can order a test from the government website and this will either be posted to you – or you can attend a drive through site.
Dr Sarah added: “If you don’t have any of these symptoms, you can go to work even if you have a runny nose, sneezing or a sore throat, as long as you feel well enough.
“However, while these are symptoms of a cold, rather than Covid-19, you may still want to stay home if you can’t keep your distance from other people as you could pass on your cold.
“If you have a cough but your Covid-19 test is negative, you and the people you live with are allowed to leave home.
“If it’s positive, you need to self-isolate for at least 10 days and all your close contacts need to self-isolate for 14 days from the last time they were in contact with you.”
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When it comes to kids and whether or not you should send them to school with a cough, the NHS advises that if a child has mild cold-like symptoms they should continue to go to school.
Common cold symptoms such as sore throats and blocked or runny noses are not symptoms of coronavirus.
However, in the case of a new continuous cough or a fever, or a loss of – or change in – sense of smell or taste, the child should stay at home, isolate for at least 10 days and be tested.
Other members of a household should also self-isolate for 14 days from the point when symptoms first appeared.