3rd February 2021

A NEW warning about the need for a coronavirus test even if you don’t have the three classic symptoms of the disease has been issued.
Blackburn with Darwen’s director of public health Professor Dominic Harrison had said there are 11 other milder signs of Covid-19 infection.
They include a runny nose, a persistent headache, shortness of breath and vomiting.
The classic three symptoms which the NHS advises people to look out for are a high temperature, a new persistent cough and a loss of smell or taste.
Prof Harrison issued his alert following new guidance from the World Health Organisation.
He is advising people who display any of the raft of milder symptoms to get a coronavirus test as soon as possible.
Prof Harrison said: “At the moment, national instruction is for people to get tested if they are showing the three main symptoms: a high temperature, a persistent cough or a loss of smell or taste.
“However, many other countries advise residents to seek a test if they have any one of 11 known principal symptoms.
“They include: diarrhoea, a persistent headache, fever and chills, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, and nausea or vomiting. Across Lancashire we’ve seen reports of residents who have only experienced, for example, diarrhoea or a persistent and unusual headache lasting more than 24 hours who later turn out to have a confirmed Covid-19 case.
“With that in mind I am now advising anyone in Blackburn with Darwen who is worried or has any doubts about their possible Covid symptoms to get tested as soon as possible.
“When you are booking a test, if you don’t have the classic symptoms, simply say you don’t.
“A few clicks later on the website, you can then choose the option which says: ‘My local council or health protection team has asked me (or someone I live with) to get a test, even though I do not have symptoms’. Alongside the vaccination programme, testing continues to be one of the most vital tools to help us reduce the spread of infection.”
Professor Harrison advises our community to follow self isolation national guidance until the PCR test is confirmed.
We ask all parents to follow the above advice regarding taking your child for a PCR test if they suffer any of the above symptoms – your child must follow national guidance regarding isolation until the result of the PCR test is known.

GUIDANCE FOR IF YOUR CHILD HAS ANY CORONAVIRUS SYMPTOMS FROM THE NHS

If you have any of the main symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), get a test as soon as possible. Stay at home until you get the result.

Main symptoms

The main symptoms of coronavirus are:

• a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
• a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
• a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal

Most people with coronavirus have at least 1 of these symptoms.

What to do if you have symptoms

If you have any of the main symptoms of coronavirus:

1. Get a test to check if you have coronavirus as soon as possible.
2. Stay at home and do not have visitors until you get your test result – only leave your home to have a test.

Anyone you live with, and anyone in your support bubble, must also stay at home until you get your result

Get a test to check if you have coronavirus

Urgent advice: Use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service if:

• you're worried about your symptoms
• you're not sure what to do, use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service

Call 111 if you cannot get help online. Do not go to places like a GP surgery, hospital or pharmacy.

Babies and children

Call 111 if you're worried about a baby or child under 5.

If your child seems very unwell, is getting worse or you think there's something seriously wrong, call 999.

Do not delay getting help if you're worried. Trust your instincts.

Get more advice about coronavirus in children.