# Do you covid test every time you get a cold? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Created:** [December 10, 2025, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-covid-test-every-time-you-get-a-cold/1025582 "2025-12-10T12:38:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2025, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-covid-test-every-time-you-get-a-cold/1025582/21 "2025-12-10T15:23:19Z")
> [@We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](#): > > I don’t. For those that have said they do, and that can’t tell the difference between Covid and a cold by symptoms, what is the point of testing? Because some people I might expose my germs to may not get so lucky with their reactions to covid ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2025, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-covid-test-every-time-you-get-a-cold/1025582/22 "2025-12-10T15:30:35Z")
I test any time a sore throat or cough is involved. If I infect my staff, it means I have to do the work of four people regardless of how I’m feeling. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2025, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-covid-test-every-time-you-get-a-cold/1025582/23 "2025-12-10T16:00:38Z")
I mostly test before meeting with people who care, not so much based on symptoms. Why yes, i _do_ have a stack of tests in my home. > [@We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](#): > > I don’t. For those that have said they do, and that can’t tell the difference between Covid and a cold by symptoms, what is the point of testing? The one time i had covid, i did test, and i told my doctor. We discussed treatment options, and i ended up going on metformin, which was found to reduce the risk of long covid in a large study. I also avoided other people until i tested negative again. I suppose i could tell, though, because i was much sicker from covid than I’ve ever been from a cold. At the time, i had a lot of tests that were going to expire soon, so i tested nearly every day, which was kinda interesting. And what i found was that my viral load was modest when i first got sick, and increased, peaking on the day the CDC guidelines said, “okay to go out”. That is, my fever had broken and i was clearly on the mend. I think those guidelines are appropriate for flu. But they are really bad for covid. If you don’t want to test, stay home (or at least wear a good mask when you are out) for a few days after your fever breaks. > [@We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](#): > > Relatedly, is there any current data (2025) on how dangerous current strains of Covid compare to the seasonal flu? The tests in my closet now test for flu, too. I have some that also test for RSV, but they don’t expire for a while, so I’m keeping them for next year. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2025, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-covid-test-every-time-you-get-a-cold/1025582/24 "2025-12-10T16:03:12Z")
I was much less sick with Covid that I typically am with colds. There variance is huge. A lot of people experience the same thing as me. It felt very different in a way that’s difficult to articulate. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2025, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-covid-test-every-time-you-get-a-cold/1025582/25 "2025-12-10T16:04:52Z")
That’s pretty much how I feel about it too. IF the symptoms fit the constellation that characterize the current strains, then yeah, I’ll probably test. The tests are too expensive and too inaccurate otherwise to warrant testing unless there’s a good chance someone in the family’s actually got it. It’s gone from a real threat, to something that scares the anxious in my opinion. It’s gone to the point where the flu is a greater threat to the vast majority of people, so I treat it with about the same level of concern. ---
**Author:** ![FinsToTheLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finstotheleft/32/2930_2.png) [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2025, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-covid-test-every-time-you-get-a-cold/1025582/26 "2025-12-10T18:49:58Z")
I just got over Covid after attending a conference in San Francisco. I returned home on the Friday night, started feeling crappy Monday night, tested positive on Tuesday morning on an old expired test. Testing over the next week showed two more positive tests (on a new batch) to confirm, followed up a negative test as my symptoms waned. We were masking in the house and my wife slept in the spare bedroom. Despite us sharing a bed at the conference and the 3 nights following, she managed to avoid catching it. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2025, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-covid-test-every-time-you-get-a-cold/1025582/27 "2025-12-11T04:26:03Z")
> [@bump](#): > > The tests are too expensive I have no idea why our tests cost so much. I have bought most of mine from Germany, and I’ve paid about a euro each. (Plus shipping. Once i was visiting Denmark, and got free shipping to a friend who lived there, and carried them home in my suitcase. But usually I’ve had to pay shipping fees.) ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2025, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-covid-test-every-time-you-get-a-cold/1025582/28 "2025-12-11T06:41:14Z")
> [@dolphinboy](#): > > I don’t test for COVID every time I get a cold; on the rare occasion I have a cold. I have never had COVID, but I assume it would be more severe than a cold. It is, at least for me. I’ve had Covid at least once (pretty sure it was my second round, but the first was in late March 2020 when tests were very hard to obtain, so I cannot say for certain about that one. I can about the case I had in August 2022, since by then home tests were easily obtainable). ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2025, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-covid-test-every-time-you-get-a-cold/1025582/29 "2025-12-11T06:55:13Z")
I never get colds because I’m always masked outside the house. Dialysis days, I’m very cautious what I touch at the clinic and no close people. The tech has to get close. But they wear masks. And do the squirt on the hands everytime they enter the cubicle. Don’t tell anyone but we bring tiny spray bottles of lysol. If Ivy gets concerned, she sprays. We are awful. But I can not afford a flu or a cold. Covid scares the holy crap outta me. I have a supply of tests. They are kinda dated. I’ll use them if I thought I needed to..of course I’d be at the doctors office probably as quick as possible. This new pukey virus is running thru the schools since Thanksgiving. I would not survive 3 days of vomiting. We are hand sanitizing the kids and keeping surfaces clean at the house. I wish they’d come up with a med for that, sooner rather than later. ---
**Author:** ![Jegpeg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jegpeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jegpeg)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2025, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-covid-test-every-time-you-get-a-cold/1025582/30 "2025-12-11T08:35:12Z")
I haven’t tested for about 5 years when the UK stopped making tests compulsorary for several things (and they were free). In my opinion there is little difference in severity between covid and the flu. Both usually vary in severity from that of a heavy cold to something that makes it difficult to function normally for a few days but can be killers, especially for the vulnerable. I would isolate in exactly the same way whether I had the flu or covid, I don’t know whether flu tests exist but they are not easily available fr me if they do. If I think I have a cold I will minimise my contact with others, sanitise my hands regularly, stay away from the vulnerable etc, if I think I have the flu or covid (which has only happened once since Covid came out) I self isolate. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2025, 9:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-covid-test-every-time-you-get-a-cold/1025582/31 "2025-12-11T09:06:01Z")
> [@Jegpeg](#): > > I don’t know whether flu tests exist > [@puzzlegal](#): > > The tests in my closet now test for flu, too. I have some that also test for RSV, but they don’t expire for a while, so I’m keeping them for next year. I bought mine from a German supplier for about €1.5 a piece, plus shipping. But they are available in the US, too, they just cost more. Here’s a random US source: > **[iHealth Flu A&B/COVID-19 3-in-1 Rapid Test](https://ihealthlabs.com/products/ihealth-covid-19-flu-a-b-antigen-rapid-home-test)** > > Shop and buy the web's most reliable and convenient COVID-19 and Flu A&B combination test kits from iHealth Labs. Free, fast shipping. Usable on people above the age of 2 with results in as little as 15 minutes. Remember - treatment cannot begin... ---
**Author:** ![dimike333](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dimike333](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dimike333)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2025, 10:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-covid-test-every-time-you-get-a-cold/1025582/32 "2025-12-11T10:23:29Z")
I usually test if I have plans with people who might worry about it or if the symptoms feel different from my normal cold pattern. It keeps the conversation simple. When someone asks, I just say yes I checked or no it was a regular cold for me. People mostly want reassurance, not a full medical story. ---
**Author:** ![Jegpeg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jegpeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jegpeg)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2025, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-covid-test-every-time-you-get-a-cold/1025582/33 "2025-12-11T11:06:23Z")
Thanks surprise surprise Americans have to pay more than 10 times as much for something health related. I’m actually in the UK but given how I would act with any of a bad cold, flu and Covid are very similar I don’t think it is worth taking a test. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2025, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-covid-test-every-time-you-get-a-cold/1025582/34 "2025-12-11T14:02:37Z")
Then if you are interested, i recommend > **[Rapid test](https://altruan.com/collections/rapid-test)** > > Find reliable rapid tests for maximum safety at Altruan.de – from corona tests to HPV tests to Pluslife PCR devices for precise diagnostics. Ideal for private and professional applications. Trust in tested quality for your health! as a good place to purchase covid tests, at least if you want to purchase in bulk. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2025, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-covid-test-every-time-you-get-a-cold/1025582/35 "2025-12-15T14:38:18Z")
I would never presume I could tell, because people talk about how the different strands effect them differently. I’d test the same either way. That said I haven’t had a cold (or similar) in a couple years, so I can’t say how much I would test. The last respiratory infection I had was in fact COVID a couple years ago. I had temporarily moved into an apartment at the time while waiting for my house to be fixed up. ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2025, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-covid-test-every-time-you-get-a-cold/1025582/36 "2025-12-30T06:27:17Z")
> [@We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](#): > > Thank you. That makes sense and I have no trouble believing Covid is more dangerous than the common cold. Relatedly, is there any current data (2025) on how dangerous current strains of Covid compare to the seasonal flu? Anecdotes don’t equal data and all that, but among the patients I care for (frail elderly in nursing homes), influenza has been worse than COVID since the Omicron variant became predominant. Whenever one of my patients gets sick with an acute respiratory illness, we test for both influenza and COVID. When influenza pops up I know that facility is going to be facing some actual difficulties over the next few weeks. When it’s COVID (again at least these days), the only person that’s going to have a difficult time is the person that handles room assignments as they juggle a bunch of asymptomatic positive people. The worst issues aren’t the respiratory complications, but the inevitably ensuing personality conflicts among new roommates that aren’t used to each other. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2025, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-covid-test-every-time-you-get-a-cold/1025582/37 "2025-12-30T13:55:01Z")
What’s the relative frequency? Most of my friends have had covid in the past two years, and i can’t remember the last time a friend had the flu. But maybe that’s just the group i hang out with. (Most of the people my age who’ve had covid have been very sick, although only a few were “doctors are concerned” sick. Most of my younger friends had child symptoms from covid.) ---
**Author:** ![Bookkeeper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bookkeeper/32/281_2.png) [@Bookkeeper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bookkeeper)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-covid-test-every-time-you-get-a-cold/1025582/38 "2026-01-17T15:06:12Z")
I still test weekly before visiting my 92-year-old mother, and after any time I’ve spent in close contact with large groups, such as at conventions. The one time I had Covid, it presented as a mild cold and I didn’t know until I did my weekly test that I had it. My wife got it from me and had much more severe symptoms (possibly because I got a Paxlovid shot for it and she didn’t think that was necessary). Thanks, **puzzlegal** , for the tip on the German test kit source - about a quarter of the cost than the Canadian source I’ve been using. I currently have about a year’s worth of tests, but will check them out for my next order. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-covid-test-every-time-you-get-a-cold/1025582/39 "2026-01-17T15:52:04Z")
I have a cold right now. I did two tests for Covid and Flu A/B, spaced apart by a day. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2026, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-covid-test-every-time-you-get-a-cold/1025582/40 "2026-01-19T06:15:44Z")
Yes, but the reason is so I can take paxlovid or metformin to reduce my chances of developing long covid. Long covid is scary. [https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(23)00299-2/fulltext](https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(23)00299-2/fulltext) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-covid-test-every-time-you-get-a-cold/1025582.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-covid-test-every-time-you-get-a-cold/1025582.md?page=3)