Are runny noses and sore throats considered Covid-19 symptoms for children in Scotland?

Parents of school children have been told to only take their children out of education if they are experiencing the three main Covid-19 symptoms in updated advice from the Scottish Government.

Classic cold symptoms such as a sore throat or a runny nose are not considered symptoms of coronavirus, an open letter to parents from the national clinical director Jason Leitch said.

Deputy First Minister and education secretary John Swinney reiterated the advice during the Scottish Government’s daily coronavirus briefing.

He said children should only be tested for Covid-19 or taken out of school if they present with a new, persistent cough, a high fever, or a loss of taster and/or smell.

The comments came after a week of increased demand for testing from parents of children presenting with symptoms comparable to ‘the sniffles’.

Such was the demand, parents were being told the closest place for a test could be several hours drive away or, in some cases, in England.

Mr Swinney said at the briefing that more common and less dangerous viruses often see an increase in cases around the return of schools.

He said: “Following the return of schools after a prolonged break, it is common for colds and similar viral infections to circulate. In many cases, children will be well enough to attend school and continue their learning with little or no interruption to their education.

"In other cases, for instance where they have quite a heavy cold, they may need to take a day or two off to recover.

"This is not the case for children or young people with potential Covid-19 symptoms, they are required to self-isolate and seek a test.

"In order for your child to not miss out on their education, it is important to be clear about how Covid-19 symptoms differ from those other infections that we normally see circulating at this time of year.”

Mr Swinney then echoed the words of Mr Leitch’s open letter to parents, highlighting the need for a test if children present with a continuous cough, a fever, or a loss or change in the sense of taste and smell.

In Mr Leitch’s letter, he outlines that a runny nose is not considered a symptom of Covid-19.

He said: “The UK senior clinicians continue to keep the symptoms for case definition under review and will continue to use evidence to adjust these if it becomes necessary.

“It is essential that people who have COVID-19 symptoms, or who share a household with someone who has symptoms, do not attend school, nursery or other childcare settings, and must self-isolate along with all members of their household.

"If the test is negative, self-isolation can end for everyone. If the test is positive, Test and Protect will give you further advice.

“If, however, your child does not have symptoms of COVID-19 but has other cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, they do not need to be tested and they and you do not need to self-isolate.

"Your child can go to school if fit to do so.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism.

Subscribe to scotsman.com and enjoy unlimited access to Scottish news and information online and on our app. Visit https://www.scotsman.com/subscriptions now to sign up.

Subscribe to the Edinburgh Evening News online and enjoy unlimited access to trusted, fact-checked news and sport from Edinburgh and the Lothians. Visit https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/subscriptions now to sign up.

By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Joy Yates

Editorial Director