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Original poster

How many days did you have Covid for before testing negative?

41 replies

Time40 · 01/09/2023 13:27

Just that. I've had it since Saturday, so I'm on day 7. I really, really, really need to be negative by Monday. (It's my first time - I've managed avoid it up until now.)

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 01/09/2023 14:24

There is no need to have a negative test to continue as normal.

Samcro · 01/09/2023 14:25

about 2 weeks. I had to be negative as couldn't risk passing on to my vulnerable person.

ConnieTucker · 01/09/2023 14:27

dementedpixie · 01/09/2023 14:24

There is no need to have a negative test to continue as normal.

This. Why do you feel you need a negative test?

I started feeling with symptoms on sunday afternoon. Tested strong positive on monday. One child also strong positive. Other child very weak positive. Me and one child are still feeling ill and still testing positive. (Fri) Other child was testing negative yesterday (thurs) and hasnt really felt ill.

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Covid-19
JellyfishandShells · 01/09/2023 14:28

9 days

Purplecatshopaholic · 01/09/2023 14:38

I take it you are in a role that still requires testing (are there any?) Otherwise, testing isn’t mandatory any more… But since you ask, when I had it I tested positive for 17 days.

Original poster
Time40 · 01/09/2023 15:23

There is no need to have a negative test to continue as normal.

This. Why do you feel you need a negative test?

Because there is a new strain. That info - about not needing a negative test - is old info, from before the new strain. Who knows if it's safe to carry on as normal now?

I take it you are in a role that still requires testing (are there any?) Otherwise, testing isn’t mandatory any more… But since you ask, when I had it I tested positive for 17 days

17 days? Eeeek! (And oh dear, you poor thing!) No, I'm not in a role that requires testing - I just need there to be no risk of passing it on to someone on Monday.

OP posts:
Purplecatshopaholic · 01/09/2023 15:41

Yes, there is a new strain op - my NHS colleagues were talking about it this week. However there is no new guidance or info so it’s carry on as normal.

dementedpixie · 01/09/2023 16:13

There is no change in guidance even with a new strain. There is no requirement to test at all and the advice is to isolate for 5 days if you can after a positive test but there is no legal requirement to do that.

Minfilia · 01/09/2023 16:54

Only 3 days for me! I contracted it a week before my first test though so I guess I had it longer (was unsymptomatic for the first week)

HerMammy · 01/09/2023 19:51

I wasn't aware anyone still tests unless to do with their job.

BeyondMyWits · 01/09/2023 19:54

Bout 1= 9 days, bout 2 = 4 days, bout 3 = 7 days.

Varies is all I can say....

Original poster
Time40 · 01/09/2023 19:58

Thanks, all.

It can still be a nasty illness. My DP has had it for about ten days, and he's really suffering. I don't think it's being taken seriously enough.

OP posts:
Oxborn · 01/09/2023 20:01

1 time 9 2 time 5 days 3rd time 7

mrsjg · 01/09/2023 20:03

I tested positive for 13 days when I had it last year.

Beemail2 · 01/09/2023 20:16

2 days

KingIrving · 01/09/2023 20:21

10 days.

Purpleavocado · 01/09/2023 20:25

I had it a month ago, tested positive for ten days

muddyford · 01/09/2023 20:25

The five day rule is, I think, because the test continues to pick up dead virus and show positive even though you are very unlikely to be infective. That's why you shouldn't keep testing after five days.

Makinguseofthethingsthatwefind · 01/09/2023 20:32

Time40 · 01/09/2023 19:58

Thanks, all.

It can still be a nasty illness. My DP has had it for about ten days, and he's really suffering. I don't think it's being taken seriously enough.

You need to think about it like the Flu, different strains every year and can be nasty but no testing and don’t go out until you feel better. If you really feel you must test, it’s five days after testing positive and get t both flu and covid vaccines if vulnerable.

Tigger1895 · 01/09/2023 20:34

I read recently if your test is positive, isolate for 5 days (adults) and 3(children) before resuming normal activities. It has become a bit confusing

ToxicPositivity · 01/09/2023 20:58

Our neighbours on day 23, has recent heart failure diagnosis, her husband has cancer and diabetes. No one will see them for their health, it's heart breaking.

My husband's immunosuppressed and I have pots from my first bout of covid. I'll take the flu over that anytime. It's just flu... Fml

ASGIRC · 01/09/2023 21:43

I tested positive for 5 days, but I had very few symptoms, which I think matters.

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 01/09/2023 22:30

I agree with @Makinguseofthethingsthatwefind my DH had flu once then I caught it and I was really ill. Could barely move for 3 days. Had Covid twice and the first time was similar to that but not as bad. 2nd I was fine. My only worry would be my elderly and vulnerable mum.

Braindeads · 01/09/2023 22:40

I’m currently on day 5, I’ll retest to return to work on Sunday night.
Second time for me and by god I’ve been Ill.
it came on In 6 hours, I started feeling sick, hot, sweaty. My head filled up with wool / fog, the eye pain and light aversion was dreadful. My skin felt itchy and sunburned, every rib ached plus my hips.
I had huge adrenaline / rushes to the head, palpitations, a kind of reverse fever where I’d be freezing to the touch, teeth chattering but when I took paracetamol or ibuprofen I’d then burn up.
I could t concentrate, felt too wired to sleep but if you did drop off it was full of nightmares. I dreamed a huge bird was on my head with its talons In my temples (probably the headache).

I felt absolutely dreadful, like an awake paralysis, stomach pain, nausea where I’d be dribbling as my mouth was watering.

whatever variant this is we need to be careful of it. Absolutely appalling.

Cadenza12 · 01/09/2023 22:53

6 days last Christmas. A couple days when I felt unwell then it really hit. I'm thinking that we're going to have to be more careful this autumn.