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Original poster

Lots of people saying they have covid - are they testing or self diagnosing?

82 replies

NeedAHoliday2021 · 23/12/2022 08:14

I went to test dh yesterday but we only had one left and the liquid solution was missing. It doesn’t really matter as it’s either covid or flu - either way he’s bed bound.

I’m nhs and so had lots of tests initially but now we’re told not to test so reading here how many people are saying they have covid (and friends on Fb) have actually tested? It’s not a criticism, just curious if people are moving to self diagnosing without tests like with flu.

OP posts:
TheYearOfSmallThings · 23/12/2022 09:28

Everyone I know keeps a few tests, which you can buy at the till in Tesco. Nobody is testing randomly, but if they have a stinking cold they test, mainly for peace of mind because it usually isn't COVID.

My parents are elderly and I have a friend whose DD is disabled, immobile, and vulnerable to infection. I like to know what I might be bringing them.

AntiqueCestChic · 23/12/2022 09:36

I tested - family we see regularly are elderly with health issues. They could really do without a dose of covid so I'll be keeping away from them for a bit.

Blanketpolicy · 23/12/2022 09:39

We have a few boxes of tests at home from last year, we used a couple of tests when ds brought freshers flu home in September. We would test, but only if very ill.

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Covid-19
dontgobaconmyheart · 23/12/2022 09:42

I'm ECV so DP (who is the one who goes out of the house a lot and travels for work) still tests periodically or if he has any symptoms.

I'm currently stuck in bed with what feels like the flu and have tests arriving today. Annoyingly the box we had at home had none of the liquid vials in so were not usable. I'd rather know than not for health reasons as I'd want to give 111 or worst case scenario 999 accurate info if I became very unwell, which is always a possibility unfortunately.

I'm also eligible for antivirals so the sooner I know the better and would certainly not want to spread it around or have DP spreading it either.

x2boys · 23/12/2022 09:43

My son had a virus a few weeks ago ,his special school asked if I could test him because they have children with complex medical needs,tube Fed, on oxygen etc.

July70 · 23/12/2022 09:44

its covid but more flue - you can buy covid tests kits at all chemists AFAIN

HazeyjaneIII · 23/12/2022 09:45

Ive bought a box of 25 tests, and we have done tests when we have had colds. ..glad we have because when ds tested positive about 3 weeks ago, we ended up in hospital, and if we hadn't tested he wouldn't have been isolated from the extremely vulnerable children in a+e and the ward.
I'm surprised about pp saying there were no masks in hospital, every appointment we have had everyone wore masks
We test because of ds, vulnerable friends and because I work with a medically vulnerable child.

nether · 23/12/2022 09:49

We test (and repeat) whenever any symptoms because one member of the household is critically vulnerable (potentially eligible for the covid antivirals)

And also test before seeing others who we know to be vulnerable by age or medical condition. That's asymptomatic testing, if we had symptoms we'd keep away, as I don't really want to be passing on a nasty Not Covid either.

The people I know who test are a couple of friends, both of whom test most weeks, before visiting very elderly parents in care homes.

I have no idea what other people I know do about testing

StrawberryPot · 23/12/2022 09:52

Hbh17 · 23/12/2022 08:34

I don't know anyone who has tested at all since the start of the year, but Mumsnet seems to be a parallel universe full of paranoid people who just keep on testing. Or maybe they just like the drama!

I tested because I wanted to know whether I just had a streaming cold or whether it was Covid. It was Covid so I restricted my activities/contacts in a way that I wouldn't have done with just a cold.
I was also curious as I've not - to my knowledge - had Covid.
I'm not a frequent tester - used the box I had left over from when you could just order them online.

alloalloallo · 23/12/2022 09:53

We had loads of tests from last year as DD’s college were sending boxes and boxes home every week. If anyone had symptoms, we’d test.

I think we’ve run out now though

None of my family, friends or colleagues are testing anymore.

ToooOldForThis · 23/12/2022 09:56

I have tests left over from work and also from when we last got vaccinated. Test as my dad is very poorly and that's the last thing he needs!

BarrelOfOtters · 23/12/2022 09:57

We tested a couple of months ago as we'd been away and both started feeling awful when travelling back. In laws are both clinically vulnerable or whatever the phrase is so didn't want to pass it on. both positive.

DH tested last week as he'd got all the symptoms and his boss has it (his wife is vulnerable so he tested) but he's just got flu.

Brrrrrrrrrrrr · 23/12/2022 10:04

Anyone I know that has had Covid recently has only found out by routinely testing days into the symptoms.

I just think it’s very odd how the last few months most friends and colleagues have had multiple bouts of Covid/ flu like illnesses, since the summer it’s been a constant stream of colds, coughs, fevers, flus like never before.

I don’t ever remember people being ill so frequently before Covid, I’m talking about fit and healthy young / middle aged people who never really called in sick until recently yet they are now having letters sent to them about frequent sick absences.

squashyhat · 23/12/2022 10:07

I have just had covid for the first time. Of course I tested when I thought I might have it - I wanted to know. And modified my activities accordingly. Why would you not?

Sparklefoof · 23/12/2022 10:11

Currently have covid and I tested, purely because we had a box in the cupboard

Keeptryingtobe · 23/12/2022 10:13

I have been really ill past few days, was testing negative first three days, thought it was the terrible flu but on the fourth day I tested positive.

Stardustkid · 23/12/2022 10:16

Lots are still testing, if it can get them out of events they don’t want to attend🙄

Always4Brenner · 23/12/2022 10:16

Got some coming today I’m testing.

vodkaredbullgirl · 23/12/2022 10:19

Had Covid in the care home I work in, so tested myself and I was faint positive. Still had to go in, just stayed away from the ones who didn't have it.

runningonberocca · 23/12/2022 10:21

Testing- nhs here. We did stop routine testing for a while we have always had to test if symptomatic. And due to the increasing numbers for the last month or so being told locally to test twice weekly

AngelsWithSilverWings · 23/12/2022 10:21

My friend had it a few weeks ago was definitely testing as her mum is in a care home and can't visit without testing if she has symptoms. She also tested before coming out with us at the weekend to make sure she was completely clear of it ( as my DD is vulnerable)

We still have loads of tests because we had to make sure we had always had a good stock of them because of DD's illness. So we test whenever we have symptoms.

Snailsaresweet · 23/12/2022 10:22

I've got a headachey cold which isn't getting any worse, or indeed better. And I've tested twice as I don't want to spend time with people over Christmas and infect them with Covid. I probably wouldn't bother if I was feeling so ill that I was in bed, as I wouldn't be going anywhere!

Icequeen01 · 23/12/2022 10:22

Hbh17 · 23/12/2022 08:34

I don't know anyone who has tested at all since the start of the year, but Mumsnet seems to be a parallel universe full of paranoid people who just keep on testing. Or maybe they just like the drama!

I test if I feel ill because I don't want to pass it onto my vulnerable DM82 or my colleagues and the children I work with in a very tiny specialised SEN school?

ZeViteVitchofCwismas · 23/12/2022 10:27

We have so many tests left from work and two school... testing because it's Xmas and I've got COVID.

rookiemere · 23/12/2022 10:30

Brrrrrrrrrrrr · 23/12/2022 10:04

Anyone I know that has had Covid recently has only found out by routinely testing days into the symptoms.

I just think it’s very odd how the last few months most friends and colleagues have had multiple bouts of Covid/ flu like illnesses, since the summer it’s been a constant stream of colds, coughs, fevers, flus like never before.

I don’t ever remember people being ill so frequently before Covid, I’m talking about fit and healthy young / middle aged people who never really called in sick until recently yet they are now having letters sent to them about frequent sick absences.

This is me.
Prior to covid I probably had say one bout of cold/flu per year that meant I was either too unwell to work or was just about able to wfh. Over the past 18 months I seem to catch something every couple of months. I try to keep healthy with Berocca to boost my immunity, but it's frustrating, particularly as I used to have a good attendance record.