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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think there is absolutely no point in doing a Covid test?

50 replies

PearPickingPorky · 12/05/2020 13:43

DH has been feeling unwell for a few days, started feeling shivery over the weekend (but no temperature), and an upset stomach. He's a key worker so he booked himself a Covid test on Sunday (thinking sensible to rule that out, even though he didn't think it was that) at one of the drive-through test centres and got an appointment immediately.

He has an underlying health condition so he also called GP on Monday for a blood test to check if it is the other condition, which they did.

Got his results last night for Covid by text, it came back negative.

His GP phoned back with his blood results this morning and said she thinks it is Covid. He said he'd just been tested and it was negative. She says to ignore it and self-isolate.

The Covid results text specifically says no need to self-isolate and go back to work. GP says no, because the tests are not reliable.

Seriously, what is the point of the test then? If DH hadn't also had a blood test (and thus his GP became involved) then he'd be back at work, potentially spreading it around (if it is Covid).

Seriously, what's the point of doing 100,000 tests a day if 30% of them (GP says) are wrong?

OP posts:
GirlCalledJames · 12/05/2020 14:04

Can he do another test?

JimMaxwellantheshippingforcast · 12/05/2020 14:07

If a child is sick any sensible parent will keep them home in case it's norovirus.

This is no different surely?

bumblenbean · 12/05/2020 14:09

Yanbu it’s absurd. Not only can most people not even get a test, those that get one can’t be guaranteed an accurate result.

Although how is the GP so confident it’s covid from the blood test?

Either way the situation is ridiculous. Hope he feels better soon!

felineflutter · 12/05/2020 14:09

Still awaiting my test after a week. Now they seem to have lost it so I need to retest! A shambles.

Original poster
PearPickingPorky · 12/05/2020 14:10

If a child is sick any sensible parent will keep them home in case it's norovirus.

This is no different surely?

Well it is different, because the whole family doesn't have to self-isolate completely for 14 days if it's norovirus.

OP posts:
JimMaxwellantheshippingforcast · 12/05/2020 14:20

I meant the principal. However norovirus is rarely deadly

Fluffybutter · 12/05/2020 14:22

It does seem to be a joke !
Is it possible it could be a type of corona virus but not necessarily Covid 19 ? They’re all very similar but would explain the test being negative for 19 but blood positive

Original poster
PearPickingPorky · 12/05/2020 14:23

Then why does the Covid test results say not to, and you can go back to work?

Why say that if "any sensible [person]" would not do so.

OP posts:
TheGreatWave · 12/05/2020 14:35

OP I agree, unless the tests are 100% accurate (or as close as) then they are fairly pointless. I didn't particularly trust mine, so I continued with the seven days anyway.

CecilyP · 12/05/2020 14:38

It makes sense if you are not feeling well anyway to stay at home, so might as well do it for 7 days. However did your entire household then self isolate for 14 days, TheGreatWave?

missyB1 · 12/05/2020 14:42

It’s true that a lot of tests seem to come back negative then a later test will be positive. Dh (hospital Dr) is seeing this a lot on his ward. He says they often get patients with two negatives followed by a positive!

Fimofriend · 12/05/2020 14:45

If he has CORVID19 he might need blood thinners.

Everanewbie · 12/05/2020 14:46

I think further discussion is needed with the GP here. You have a negative test and a GP saying it is covid based on a blood test that didn't test for covid. About as clear as mud!

Maybe suggest he treat it as positive for a few days and see if he can get another test?

5foot5 · 12/05/2020 14:52

I wonder where the GP pulled those stats from? Sounds a bit dubious to me. And if the tests the GP said were for something else entirely how come she is saying she thinks it is Corvid? Sounds to me more like GP spouting off without any real data just anecdotes

LadyLindaT · 12/05/2020 14:56

I have been thinking about this a lot, and have concluded that, at the moment, the tests seem fairly pointless.
It's a bit like tossing a coin and knowing which way you want it to land.
I have been told by my GP that I am now "post-Covid-19", yet every time I consulted a GP with my symptoms, it was never even mentioned as a possibility.
Looking back, I was a poster girl for just about every bloody symptom going!
Therefore, if the test came back positive, I would believe it, as in "I told you I was ill!", and if it came back negative, I wouldn't trust it.
I was hoping that the antibody test would be more helpful, but I am not sure that would really be any more useful.
What if you have had the virus, but do not have antibodies?
What strain was it? There seem to be several.
What if the presence of antibodies does not mean you have future immunity?
We just don't seem have enough information.

bumblingbovine49 · 12/05/2020 14:58

Why not wait 2-3 days, get another test. If it is negative again, then surely the GP can't argue with 2 negative tests in a row

TroysMammy · 12/05/2020 15:01

One of our GP's had Covid symptoms, high temperature which came on really quickly, continuous cough, felt absolutely rough. Had a test and it came back negative. She is 99% sure she had it even though the test said differently.

sunflowersandtulips50 · 12/05/2020 15:05

We did the home test and were told we were all negative. However my DS has had all the symptoms and I read recent feedback about the swab tests stating people aren't doing taking the samples properly. As you have to take the sample from deep into the nose and back of the throat and there have been a number of cases which came back negative but were subsequently found to be positive after being admitted... I also heard a senior practice nurse went to get tested and had a young 17yr old who had just been taught how to do the test trying to get a nose swab and she told him he wasn't doing it right. As he wasn't going far into the nose so it isn't great at all

chomalungma · 12/05/2020 15:05

What blood test was done to test for Covid?

Covid is detected using a swab.

LastTrainEast · 12/05/2020 15:30

chomalungma that was two different tests. The blood test by GP was for the underlying condition he had.

LastTrainEast · 12/05/2020 15:35

As I understand it (NOT an expert) the virus test is for if you have developed antibodies. That doesn't always work if you were just ill, but works better for afterwards. So the test is not conclusive.

The GP may have seen something in the other test results that indicated something more serious, but we don't know what that blood test was for so can't say. Do ask the GP for more info.

PrimalLass · 12/05/2020 15:37

Seriously, what's the point of doing 100,000 tests a day if 30% of them (GP says) are wrong?

There is little point. That's why the govt tried to not bother but have bowed to pressure.

chomalungma · 12/05/2020 15:38

The blood test by GP was for the underlying condition he had

Having read the OP, I am not entirely sure what she is on about.

He has an underlying health condition so he also called GP on Monday for a blood test to check if it is the other condition, which they did

Got his results last night for Covid by text, it came back negative.

His GP phoned back with his blood results this morning and said she thinks it is Covid. He said he'd just been tested and it was negative. She says to ignore it and self-isolate

The Covid results text specifically says no need to self-isolate and go back to work. GP says no, because the tests are not reliable

Seriously, what is the point of the test then? If DH hadn't also had a blood test (and thus his GP became involved) then he'd be back at work, potentially spreading it around (if it is Covid

The GP may think it's Covid. The blood tests have got nothing to do with Covid.

The tests though aren't 100% sensitive - doing swabs etc is always going to be unreliable.

It's an interesting question though - I suppose the thing is to balance the cost of self isolating when you don't need to (i.e. not doing a test but assuming you have it) vs the risk of not self isolating when you should (i.e. a false negative)

sheepisheep · 12/05/2020 15:41

The 70% accuracy for a negative swab is correct. It's not great but it is the best we have.

A positive swab is much more reliable, and that is where the value in the test lies.

The advice given by PHE is generic. It will be appropriate for the majority. However you have spoken to a doctor who has made a clinical decision based on your overall, individual picture. You need to pay attention to it.

To say there is no point to the test is a poorly informed over-reaction, and is a great example about why issues of public health should not be left to the general public to interpret.

DOI: Frustrated doctor

IncrediblySadToo · 12/05/2020 15:43

I would get tested

It's worrying that so many are wrong, but hopefully as the 'testers' get more experience the accuracy will improve