Anyone thinking of going for a test? You should.

[CatherineCawood]

I have the Zoe app and have been faithfully logging any symptoms for weeks and weeks. This week I've had a stuffy nose and a feeling of lots of snot at the back of my throat and a blocked ear on and off.

I told the Zoe app this on Wednesday and they emailed me and said I should get a test. I didn't think that the symptoms were considered covid symptoms, I think its more of a summer cold/hayfever type thing.

I thought as they had told me to go get a test I should, as they are doing research and they need to know if my symptoms were significant or not.

Had my test yesterday at a testing centre (self test done in your car), bloody gob smacked to get a text and email today telling me I am positive for COVID-19 😱

So if you think you might have it go get a test, don't think you are taking one that someone else could have or wasting anyones time. If I hadn't had it I would now be carrying on like normal. When I booked my test there were over 1000 tests avalible at my local centre that day. When I went it was empty in and out in 10 mins.

Where I got it from I have no idea. I've seen 2 people for distanced walks this week, That's it. I dropped into ASDA last Friday but was in there for all of 10 mins, served myself sanitised my hands before and after. I also visited the pharmacy but again was careful with hand washing.

Sent my DH for a test today as he is rather more social than me. He booked a test and had it within an hour.

[JustSew]

I have the Zoe app as well even though I'm shielding.
Be interesting to hear if you get track and traced? If your DH is the social one then I'd be blaming him!

[Cornettoninja]

I hope this is the worst you’re going to feel

I really rate the ZOE app and have been doing my bit to promote it - they’re doing sterling work imho.

[CatherineCawood]

Yeah I'm blaming him (in my head not to his face), if he comes back positive then I'm going to LTB!

[cathyandclare]

This is really encouraging to hear. I've been really impressed with the app. I've religiously reported and had a test a month or so ago with a mild hayfevery sore throat. Mine was negative unfortunately ( although I know immunity is not certain).

I hope you recover quickly.

[Mustbetimeforachange]

They offered me a test (I had a headache) but it went to.my junk mail where it sat for a week. The headache only lasted a day so it's probably not worth doing now. I did email them.
Would be interested to hear if track & trace contact you.

[CatherineCawood]

Weird thing is I was certain that me and DD had it in March. Felt much much worse than this I can tell you. Was breathless, bloody freezing cold, tired, off food, hot flushes, red spots on toes (Covid toes?), and had dodgy stomach.

Now i have stuffy nose and snotty throat and a blocked ear. apart from that feel normal. Took my temp 36.3. No cough.

Could I still be showing positive from March?

[Orangeblossom78]

This is interesting as we had similar in March and feeling a bit like it ever since. Never had a cough or temp though. I read somewhere about people can have it weeks after not sure though. Hope you feel ok and it passes soon, would be a relief to know in a way

[alexdgr8]

i think we all need to continue to be very careful, test or not.
apparently many of the negative test results are not reliable because it is very difficult to get the swabs back/ in far enough when testing, there is an automatic reflex against such invasions.
some people find it painful, frightening, very uncomfortable, some get nosebleeds, there is a natural recoil.
i think they ought to be done by HCP.
is there not a test that can be done on a blood sample.

[givemewaffles]

Do you know if they always get back to you by text? I had one this morning but at a hospital and stupidly didn't ask when/how I would find out the result!

[Bol87]

That’s interesting OP! I feel just like you! Stuffy nose. Ears feel a bit bunged up. Minor headache & minor sore throat. I’d honestly think nothing of it in normal times. I’d assume heyfever or a summer cold! Or put it down to having a 12 week old & being very sleep deprived & run down!

I did however order a home test kit as I couldn’t shake the thought I don’t feel 100% and what if.. I’ve been to the hospital this week for my daughter to have a hip scan & ive got her vaccinations next week, so I figure better to know so I can inform all these people if needs be!

Is the test painful?! People keep saying it’s awful but I’ve had a camera down my nose in the past & while it wasn’t great, it was just more of a stinging sensation that made my eyes water!

[Wunderweb]

I was asked to do one by the App too as had a headache. I knew it was likely to be hormonal but I've logged symptoms since March and have always noted if I felt unwell.
The test was a joke though, it came back negative but I'm 99% certain I didn't swab my throat properly. I've felt fine since though.

I really think if they are that crucial to containing the spread further then they need to be done by a HCP

[givemewaffles]

@Bol87 hijacking, but I had the test this morning and was absolutely terrified after hearing how awful it's meant to be! It really wasn't that bad, they put a swab around the back of my throat and then one up each nostril. Definitely uncomfortable but it was over really quickly, so don't stress about it if you do need one :)

[Orangeblossom78]

Just ordered a home test

[Orangeblossom78]

OP this might interest you (sorry DM though) man tests positive weeks after having it www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8278469/Coronavirus-patient-42-kept-testing-positive-five-weeks-symptoms-disappeared.html

[onalongsabbatical]

Did home tests with DH two weeks ago. Followed instructions meticulously. They lost them. Even said to us - on the phone when we chased them up (twice) - they might have been dropped on the floor somewhere. I kid you not.
Booked a drive-through test to replace. Attended. Three days ago. Will hear in 'about 48 hours or up to four days'. They've got 24 hours left before I go officially ballistic.
This level of incompetence is not fucking acceptable in a pandemic. I've done my bit - could they please fucking not lose my tests?
I'm a bit cross.

[Orangeblossom78]

and more...

www.reuters.com/article/covid19-recovered-positive-test/covid-19-patients-may-test-positive-for-virus-weeks-after-recovery-idUSL1N2D90OG

also "The recovered patients who tested positive did not infect others after they had been discharged" which I suppose is positive

[GreyGardens88]

I think it's more likely that you're still testing positive from March

[Orangeblossom78]

That reminds me there is / was a thread on here about people having problems / symptoms for weeks and weeks

[Jrobhatch29]

Theres a women in my town who was still testing positive 10 weeks later despite feeling fine. Finally tested negative this week x

[B1rdbra1n]

Where I got it from I have no idea
this is what stands out to me

[Vargas]

On R4's More or Less show they said 30% of COVID tests give a false negative. 30%!!

So I would think it's definitely worth getting tested again if your symptoms match...

[Orangeblossom78]

Birdbrain sounds like OP had it weeks ago and still testing positive from that- it seems the virus can sometimes be picked up weeks later. Possibly.

[CatherineCawood]

Test not awful, made me gag and the woman in car next to me was laughing at me. Bit up my nose made my eyes water but it was fine.

I'm feeling about 75% convinced that it is a hangover from March. Wish I had taken a test earlier then we would know.

Very incompetent to lose a test, so important and they lose it?

Orangeblossom - good news that those showing + weeks down the line are not infecting anyone.

I seriously have not been anywhere, not had physical contact with anyone. I was sent an email for track and trace so filled that in and all I had to put on there apart from DH, DD and DS was 2 friends who come under the proximity section because we were together for more than 15 mins at 1-2m distance. We tried for 2m but of course we were walking so it doesn't always happen quite at 2m.

[Bexi3]

I was recommended to take a test about a month ago and they lost it. Very frustrating.

[CatherineCawood]

@Jrobhatch29

Theres a women in my town who was still testing positive 10 weeks later despite feeling fine. Finally tested negative this week x

I'm at about 11.5 weeks since I think i had it in March. It does make me wonder.