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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:

SingleMum11 · 30/11/2023 00:43

Two of my elderly relatives have to test and are sent them by the NHS, as if they have covid they are then required to have medication to stop them getting really sick.

QuestionableMouse · 30/11/2023 00:44

I test but covid almost killed my mum and I work for a lady who has cancer so always err on the side of caution!

fridaynight1 · 30/11/2023 00:57

Yes, because we have an elderly relative who is currently undergoing chemo.

DD and DH were coughing and spluttering so I bought some tests from the chemist. DD tested positive and DH was negative. Both stayed away from relative until their coughs and sneezes went away. I guess it didn't really matter if it was Covid or not - either way they stayed away, which at the end of the day is the most important thing.

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Covid-19 General health

CluelessHamster · 30/11/2023 01:17

Yes. We've still got some tests knocking about so, when dd was ill recently, she tested and was positive. She was in no state to go to work either way. I think COVID still sounds a bit more serious (and worthy of a few days off!) than a cold when you ring in sick!

I last had it in march and was required to test for work at that point anyway but I wanted to know. I felt shocking and avoided going out or having people round as I didn't want to inflict it on anyone else if I could avoid it.

Forgottenmypasswordagain · 30/11/2023 01:23

Yes.

Gowlett · 30/11/2023 01:28

I’ve had a terrible cold for 2.5 weeks now, and have done a couple of Covid tests. Both negative. Will do another tomorrow. I’ve managed to get some rest, but I’m also working, running a home & have a sick toddler (and sick DH). I’m so low on energy & my lungs are really knackered…

BuggersMuddle · 30/11/2023 01:44

Yes, but I qualify for antivirals & get free tests. I don't test routinely or even frequently, but I also WFH and in the better weather, a lot of my socialising is sport related so tends towards outdoors.

I test if:

I have symptoms of an illness where it's reasonable to confirm / rule out Covid
On the (now rare) occasion I'm staying with someone elderly or immunocompromised.
If someone in my household has Covid because I don't want to spread it around and also might want to access antivirals (although I would generally avoid unnecessary meet ups if someone in my house had Covid just as I would if they had flu or any other nasty virus).

Original poster

filthypride · 30/11/2023 02:09

@Gowlett

Yes! I was so breathless yesterday... it was scary. I use a preventative inhaler twice a day so my lungs aren't great to start with, but since I've been unwell, I've really noticed an increase of using my reliever inhaler too.

OP posts:

Toddlerteaplease · 30/11/2023 02:11

Only out of interest when I had a cold. And because it had a few tests left.

Beezknees · 30/11/2023 07:48

I don't.

Peacheroo · 30/11/2023 07:59

I think when you have Covid, you know. I've had it twice and been ill a few times in the middle and although I tested, I was certain beforehand because it felt different and hits a little harder.

I've run out of tests now and won't be actively buying them but when I think I have Covid, I'll likely order them.

I still try and isolate. I don't like the current mentality of "just carry on" after everything we went through before. You can say that it's because of the vaccine we can carry on but only the vulnerable get it now so there are still a lot of people at risk if we do go about as normal.

NotFastButFurious · 30/11/2023 08:00

Yes I do, work ask us not to go in if we have it and I have colleagues and family who were in the shielding category.

NancyJoan · 30/11/2023 08:04

Tested this weekend. Negative. Lots of Covid at work at the moment, we are expected to stay at home for five days if positive.

Flowersinthewateringcan · 30/11/2023 08:04

I’ve just tested this morning. I have felt ropey for the last 24+ hours and work with elderly and vulnerable people so always test if I feel there may be a possibility of Covid.
I also have a hospital appointment at the weekend.
These are new tests and it has come back negative so I am assuming it’s correct.
Must be some kind of cold like virus but in saying that I’ve felt a bit shitty for weeks. I picked up a respiratory virus from a client 8 weeks ago and still can not shift the tickle cough I’ve developed from it, it’s really getting to me now.
Had a appointment with the paramedic at the surgery, he said it was acid reflux!

Covidwoes · 30/11/2023 08:04

@SoupDragon I agree with no need to test, but please don't say it's just like a cold. I know some people who have been really poorly with Covid. Being in hospital with it isn't 'like a cold'...

stayathomer · 30/11/2023 08:08

I don’t test unless either we’re properly sick (so to know what we have) or someone tells me they have it that I was around. Is more to stop from spreading it- we had it in September and myself and dh were FLOORED with it. Wouldn’t wish it on anyone especially coming up to Christmas! Also mum is immunocompromised and we’ve always stayed away if had colds bugs etc.

Neonttasselll · 30/11/2023 08:09

Yes we do if particularly ill. I don't just work in an office so I'd like to know if I have it if working with groups of people.

Bostonbakedbeans · 30/11/2023 08:10

My last bout of -ve "not- covid" floored me for 3 days anyway so I wasnt going anywhere. Lost 2 vulnerable family members during covid so would still steer clear of people if I tested positive.

Ficklebricks · 30/11/2023 08:11

KeyboardMash · 28/11/2023 09:53

DH still tests because he works in a hospice and they don't want him in if he has Covid. I don't know anyone else still testing - the rest of us don't.

I know my local hospice charity pays the nurses full salary to stay home and isolate when they get COVID, even if they feel well enough to work. It amazes me that their NHS counterparts have to go in to work with a positive test. I'm appalled that you need to be terminally ill before you can expect to receive safe care in this country.

jolaylasofia · 30/11/2023 08:11

no can't get them anymore where i live. even pcr have stopped

Ohmylovejune · 30/11/2023 08:11

I was pretty rough last weekend so did a test which was negative. May as well as i still have a few left.

I'm more mindful anyway of spread of anything now and offered to move my beauty treatment time slot and didn't visit my elderly father. I didn't need to go shopping but if I did Id ptobably delay it.

biter · 30/11/2023 08:13

I do if I think it's covid so that I can stay at home away from others and give it the respect it needs - ie proper time to recover.

I had it again recently and was quite poorly. 7 weeks on and still I'll and now have chest infection in both lungs. It can be very, very nasty so I think it's good to know what you are dealing with (covid targets previous weak spots in my experience).

Interestingly my DC is having an operation next week and has been told strictly that if he has covid, they will cancel it. So some of the NHS is still managing it with caution it seems.

RidingMyBike · 30/11/2023 08:13

Work asks us to test if we have symptoms and to stay at home if positive. They provide free Covid tests still.

EilonwyWithRedGoldHair · 30/11/2023 08:24

I test before visiting DPs or my friend who is CEV. I WFH, but would test if I was ill and going to a face to face meeting and let them know if it was positive - last time work said to stay home.

I think I've had covid three times - first was the mildest, that was early in lockdown and is a guess as no test, but DH clearly had it and had been in contact with someone just back from a trip to Italy who proudly announced that they were supposed to be quarantining themselves. DH was not well though, took him months to recover.

WimbyAce · 01/12/2023 14:30

I was testing as NHS and we could access free tests. However, have just been on the gov website to order more and found we can't get the free ones anymore.

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