When is a cold just a cold?

[Chann]

Hi I have RA and am on weekly BENEPALI injections. Had a multi generational meet up with various family over Christmas. I am vaccinated. Had what I thought was a booster in early November but have since had a letter indicating that was a 3rd injection and I should have a 4th in 6 months time. Anyway I now have normal cold symptoms. Runny stuffy nose, headachy, tired, scratchy throat, general aches and pains etc. I don't have a temperature or a continuous cough and all my lateral flow tests are negative. Next BENEPALI injection due Friday. What are other people doing? I am avoiding people and my husband now also has cold symptoms. He also has negative lateral flow tests. We don't seem to fit into NHS list of reasons for PCR test and I don't know whether to do my injection tomorrow or delay it. Anyone else had this situation?

[Karen12]

It’s difficult, I don’t take Benepali but what I will say is I started with a runny nose on 24th and a minor sore throat. I tested positive on 26th with a lateral flow test which I was doing before I saw family. Also did one 23rd before I travelled which was negative. I had my booster (4th jab) on 21/12. I have had none of the typical symptoms. Can you delay the Benepali? I know people that are not testing positive up to 6 days after exposure.

[Chann in reply to Karen12]

I hope you are feeling well now. We did lateral flow tests before we met family and have been alternating days to do them since we got home on Monday. All have been negative. If I can't get hold of anyone to ask I guess I will delay the BENEPALI injection and see what happens. Thanks for replying and I hope you recover well.

[helixhelix]

This is not medical advice, just my experience. I have skipped a dose of my biologic (Enbrel, which is the original of Benepali) for various reasons over the years with no noticeable effects.

[Jillyanne]

If you google Omicron symptoms, they are different to the Delta , to be safe I would suggest a PCR test

[Runrig01]

Omicron does portray more like a cold. I’d do a PCR test. I’ve had scratchy throat and hoarse voice, and also use benepali. I did a PCR before continuing my benepali. For some reason the government won’t update the symptoms despite Prof Tim Spector asking for over a year.