You may want to use a lateral flow test (LFT) to check whether it's Covid-19 or not.
Most people aren't entitled to free Covid tests any more, so we've rounded up where you can buy the cheapest Covid tests yourself.
We've also done the maths to see if buying multi-packs is better value.
Live well, eat better and stay healthy:Where to buy cheap Covid tests
Single and multipacks of lateral flow tests are widely available at supermarkets and high street pharmacies.
Here's what you can expect to pay - and where you can get hold of them cheapest.
Cheapest single Covid tests
FlowFlex lateral flow test x 1:Step Ahead lateral flow test x 1:Getein covid test kit x 1:Cheapest multi-pack Covid tests
The average price per test in a multi-pack is £1.80. Getein tests, stocked at Morrisons, are currently the cheapest at £1.60 per test.
Superdrug had the cheapest of the Flowflex multi-packs (the most widely available brand), as it stocks a 6-pack rather than a 5-pack - making them £1.67 per pack.
FlowFlex lateral flow tests x 5/6: Step Ahead lateral flow tests x5Getein Covid tests x 5:Is it cheaper to buy Covid tests in a multi-pack?
Buying a multi-pack can work out cheaper than buying a single test, but it depends on the retailer. The cheapest test kit we found overall was the multi-pack from Getein, sold at Morrisons.
Generally speaking, mutli-packs are better value vs single packs at the same retailer, though a single Flowflex test at Savers is cheaper than the unit test cost in most multi-pack options.
Typically, tests are good for up to two years before they expire, so if you find a cheaper multi-pack this is probably a better bet.
Prices correct as of 26 November 2024 Find out if you're eligible for free NHS flu or Covid-19 vaccines this winter, plus cheapest private optionsWho can get free lateral flow tests?
Most people no longer get covid tests for free from the NHS but some people can get free Covid tests from a pharmacy.
Typically this is people aged 12 years and over who are clinically vulnerable and at higher risk of being seriously ill with Covid.
The Government says people who qualify are encouraged to test themselves to gain timely access to treatments.
- tips on keeping winter bugs at bayWhen should you consider taking a test?
There is no longer any official government guidance about when to test, so people are having to weigh up when is sensible to do so.
It's important to remember that LFTs aren't perfectly accurate, and you also have to take into account other factors such as your symptoms, whether you've had contact with a confirmed case and whether you'll be seeing anyone who is particularly vulnerable, such as pregnant women, older people, or people with pre-existing conditions.
LFTs are more prone to false negatives than positives, so if you have suspicious symptoms and test negative, it's still worth erring on the side of caution.
Similarly, if you've had close contact with someone who has confirmed Covid, it doesn't make sense to test immediately as it's unlikely an LFT will pick it up straight away. But given the transmissibility of the virus, it's sensible to act with extra caution in this situation.
– can they really improve your immune health? We explain what you need to knowSymptoms of Covid
Common symptoms include:
Covid symptoms are similar to other respiratory infections so it might not be possible to tell what you have just from your symptoms, which is why you may want to take a test, as well as taking precautions before it's confirmed.
Whatever winter bug you may have, ideally you should try and minimise contact with others when you aren't well, such as working from home if possible. Practise good hygiene too: cover your mouth and nose when you cough, and wash your hands thoroughly and frequently, to reduce the spread of infection.
Vaccination continues to be vitally important, so if you are eligible you should consider getting a seasonal booster if it's offered to you.
source https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/where-to-get-cheap-lateral-flow-tests-aoMQT5f0r1Tp