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Original poster

Do people still test for covid?

87 replies

filthypride · 28/11/2023 03:27

I’m currently sick with what I am guessing is a pretty rotten cold.

I had covid once and it completely floored me for 2 weeks, this isn’t like that… this started with a horrendous earache for 3 days and now I’m sneezing, coughing, tap like nose and head and sinus pain enough to take meds and I hate taking pills.

My germ infested child had a cough a few weeks ago and I was around (not close proximity) to someone who had Covid and didn’t know.

So I’m wondering do people still test?

My eldest sibling works for the NHS and they now have to go in with covid unless of course they’re bedridden….It confuses me how we went from “don’t go out, don’t mix, don’t see your loved ones, don’t breathe near anyone” to… “do what you want, even if you work with the sick and elderly”…..

Anyway, that’s all.

OP posts:
Stresa22 · 28/11/2023 03:36

I’ve got what you’ve got and I tested negative tonight. I didn’t expect to be positive but I’ve been traveling a lot recently so wanted to put my mind to rest. Although this cold is far worse than my bout of Covid in late September.

caringcarer · 28/11/2023 03:36

I had a high temperature, cough, sore throat, very snotty nose, congested, stingy eyes, headache and felt achy and tired. It felt similar to when I had Covid about 2 years ago. I tested on 2 different days but both times were negative. I'm not sure the Covid test I bought 9 months ago is picking up this new variety of Covid. It was still in date to use though.

MilkChocolateCookie · 28/11/2023 03:43

I don't know anyone testing regularly (although I'm sure some do), but I think quite a few people test when they have symptoms. We've still got some tests hanging around, I'd test if I was unwell, partly just out of curiosity.

Interested in this thread?

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Covid-19 General health
AussieManque · 28/11/2023 04:25

If you think it's COVID then test. Make sure to swab throat and nose and be aware many people don't test positive till at least day 4 of symptoms, and negative tests don't necessarily mean it's not COVID, only a PCR can confirm.

If you end up with long term issues (fingers crossed not) it'll be helpful to know if COVID could be behind it.

It's reprehensible that the NHS expects staff to work when sick with COVID. They're just making the situation worse by enabling hospital acquired infections. The sensible thing is to test and isolate/mask up till testing negative.

Pepperama · 28/11/2023 04:28

Yes I do. Don’t want to pass it on and as another poster says, I want to know for certain in case I develop long Covid

flowerchild2000 · 28/11/2023 04:37

I think it's weird people act like and actually say out loud that the virus has changed from something deadly to "just a cold." It's still just as deadly and almost just as bad- still causing Long Covid. It also causes other illnesses to emerge, something researchers are still struggling to understand. MCAS for example. I myself have Long Covid, which is cumulative. Meaning, every time I get Covid my chronic illness gets worse- worsening symptoms and new symptoms. I've had suicidal thoughts for years now because it's so difficult to cope with. So if I get sick I test so I know, and so I can isolate to protect others. The vaccine doesn't prevent infection either, it just makes serious illness or death less likely. It's still insanely contagious. The last time I had it the symptoms were drastically different than any time before. Horrendous pain in my upper back and neck. The illness that followed was some of the worst I've experienced, and it took my family a month to recover. One of my kids is still behind in school. I tested then since the symptoms were so strange. I hope I never get it again even though I know that's impossible. I just can't seem to build any kind of immunity to it. That last strain with the back pain was miserable. I wish people would take it more seriously but that will never happen.

Libertyy · 28/11/2023 04:40

I only do if I think I have Covid

rickyrickygrimes · 28/11/2023 05:17

I do. I am right now, as one of my colleagues, who I sit next to, has been ill all weekend and tested positive yesterday.

Where I live the advice is still to wfh if you can (if you test positive or have symptoms). I can generally wfh. Also I have an immunocompromised colleague that I share an office with, and I work in a school so if I pass it onto a teacher a. They can give it to loads of kids and b. It’s a total pita to find cover for them if they get stuck.

and I’m kind of interested to keep track of times I have it: I’ve had it 4 times already, and slightly concerned about the cumulative effects of possible long COVID.

fluffyduvetcover · 28/11/2023 05:56

Each time I've had Covid ( 4 that were a positive test) I start off feeling exactly the same. So if I have any virus type illness and also pain in both legs, I test and each time I'm positive and act according to Government guidelines. If it's a cold type virus but without the leg pain I wouldn't bother. I think maybe after all this time most people will know what signs to recognise in their own bodies.
BTW I start off in exactly the same way, feel like death but the difference since vaccines is that I'm now only unwell for a couple of days as distinct from my one bout pre vaccines when I was floored for two weeks

BCBird · 28/11/2023 06:20

I like u OP cannot understand the high restrictions to nothing. I test whenever I meet up with friends. It's me who wants to do this, they just fit in with my requests. I managed to avoid Covid until tbis September by doing this and keeping out of crowded places. Dry hacking cough is doing the rounds st the moment. Take care

RenegadeKeeblerElf · 28/11/2023 06:23

DH did a test last week but that was more to rule out covid - he was significantly unwell (ended up being admitted with pneumonia) and I felt that doctors may take his symptoms more seriously if we could prove it wasn't covid. Otherwise we aren't testing, just treating symptoms staying home if we aren't well enough to go out as per guidance.

sorrynotathome · 28/11/2023 06:24

I’ve tested a few times in the last year when feeling poorly, as I look after very young children. Always negative result but I’ve never had covid anyway. I think some people test and most don’t.

IWIllDoItNowInAMinute · 28/11/2023 06:30

I had to buy a box of tests recently because my DC had a hospital appointment somewhere with extremely vulnerable children and we were told to test beforehand. So when I had this latest bug I tested because I had some tests left. It was negative despite losing my taste, having a temperature, upset tummy and hacking cough. Last time I felt like this was a couple of years ago when we had to test and it was positive. I’m not sure the tests are as effective on the modern strains. If I hadn’t have had those tests left over I wouldn’t have tested though.

ruby1957 · 28/11/2023 06:32

Nope - never tested ever and refused all boosters after the first
But then I do not mix with other frail or ill people and in fact do not spend long periods with anybody else.
My life, my choice and I am 77 so in the vulnerable category (in theory).

I want to live out the few years I have left without testing, being vaccinated and worrying about whether I have a cold or covid.
I know many of my demographic who feel exactly the same

FedUpMumof10YO · 28/11/2023 06:38

Nope.

YetMoreNewBeginnings · 28/11/2023 06:39

We do. My youngest is very vulnerable and has been in ICU with covid. It’s useful for us to try and protect her, and also to know what we’re dealing with if she does catch it.

We also test for flu when needed.

We had to cancel a fairly important hospital appointment recently when the consultant gave us the heads up the day before that multiple members of staff had covid and policy meant they were in work. It’s ridiculous imo that safety for vulnerable people in hospitals is now worse than ever - previously on that specific children’s ward you weren’t allowed in, patient, parent or staff, with the slightest sniffle. Yet now we’re meant to pretend covid isn’t a problem.

Enko · 28/11/2023 06:49

I test but I work in retirement so it is important for them to know if they wish to avoid me.

Having said that I've not been sick since July where I did have covid. Caught it from a lady at work 😄

Tessisme · 28/11/2023 06:51

I still test. I have an 11yo who is on immunosuppressants and Covid could make him extremely ill. He is entitled to antivirals, so tracking whether we have Covid in the household is useful.

I'm glad the 'nopers' have nobody but themselves to consider.

onanotherday · 28/11/2023 06:56

Yes still test if I'm not well. Work with vulnerable people....common sense, surely?

smilingthroughgrittedteeth · 28/11/2023 06:59

We still test because both DP and DS are vulnerable. We treat it the same as we would flu which can also hospitalise them both. If someone is positive we try and isolate from them. Friends and family also test before visiting because they wouldnt want to make them ill but weve always lived this way with making sure to avoid ill people if we can

Icequeen01 · 28/11/2023 07:22

I work in a residential SEN school. We keep some tests at work if anyone feels unwell and wants to test. No one is forced to but everyone does because we want to avoid our kids getting it if we can help it.

orangeginaa · 28/11/2023 07:23

I do it out of curiosity. If I could for the flu or common cold I would. I just like to know

reluctantbrit · 28/11/2023 07:44

I did when I had a really bad cold and we had plans to visit elderly relatives. Tested when ill and then again before we left as I was still coughing.

Work says if you have covid and feel well work from home which I know several people did over the last month.

x2boys · 28/11/2023 07:53

Icequeen01 · 28/11/2023 07:22

I work in a residential SEN school. We keep some tests at work if anyone feels unwell and wants to test. No one is forced to but everyone does because we want to avoid our kids getting it if we can help it.

My son goes to a special school and there are some children who attend who are extremely clinically vulnerable ie on oxygen ,tube fed etc and the few times I have offered to test I'm I have been told only if you can and if he's well enough to come in send him in🤷
The thing is many people have no option but to work now if they have Covid it frustrates me that the work from home crowd pat themselves on the back for doing the right thing for testing etc
With no understanding that those who can't work from home have no option but to go into work Covid or no Covid

Icequeen01 · 28/11/2023 08:12

I totally agree @x2boys. We are lucky in that we will be paid if we have to go sick as long as we have not exceeded our Bradford score but even that is still up to the discretion of our Headteacher. Our problem is if it gets into school and then into the home and lots of staff are too poorly to come to work who will look after the kids? We try to nip it in the bud.