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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think you don't need a bloody PCR test for everything?!

147 replies

JuneDr · 13/12/2021 09:08

I went for a meal on Saturday night and last night/yesterday afternoon started with the tell tale food poisoning signs.

I was up last night vomitting and could feel how green I looked! Still feel off this morning but a little better. I have told work I won't be in today because of this.

They have said I should get a PCR before returning to the office.

WHY?! I have absolutely no cough, no fever, no change in taste or smell, no cold symptoms of any kind. I have been sick after eating a meal out and already feel a little better.

Is this ridiculous or just me? Do we just have to have a test now every time we feel slightly unwell no matter what it is?

OP posts:
Mumdiva99 · 13/12/2021 09:10

I agree with you. (I would just tell work tomorrow it was negative and carry on....)

SirensofTitan · 13/12/2021 09:18

Yes, totally ridiculous but I suspect you might get posters telling you to get one.The impression I get on here is that MNers are keeping the whole testing system in business by getting PCRs for everything.

Strictly speaking I don't think you qualify for one anyway do you?

Lavender24 · 13/12/2021 09:20

Utterly ridiculous.

Original poster
JuneDr · 13/12/2021 09:23

@SirensofTitan

Yes, totally ridiculous but I suspect you might get posters telling you to get one.The impression I get on here is that MNers are keeping the whole testing system in business by getting PCRs for everything.

Strictly speaking I don't think you qualify for one anyway do you?

No I don't according to the booking site because I don't have the main symptoms.

It's like people have forgotten you can get ill from other things.

OP posts:
SpringRainbow · 13/12/2021 09:26

Officially no you don’t.

However, my children school have recently sent an email saying as well as the official symptoms, they now strongly urge us to tell for vomiting/ diarrhoea/ severe headaches.

Justheretoaskaquestion91 · 13/12/2021 09:28

YANBU drives me bloody mad

NoSquirrels · 13/12/2021 09:28

Do they expect you to show them the results, or is your word good enough? If so you could just agree to keep the peace - they’ll be none the wiser

EdinaMonsoon · 13/12/2021 09:29

Vomiting, nausea etc is an associated symptom of Covid. It’s just the govt are steadfastly sticking to the fever/cough/headache advice for PCR’s. I can understand your frustration but I think with the current situation your employer is being sensible.

ICouldHaveCheckedFirst · 13/12/2021 09:30

Wouldn't you do an LFT first? If it's negative (as it probably will be) then no PCR needed.

SushiGo · 13/12/2021 09:30

Our school has also sent round emails saying vomiting/headaches are often reported symptoms and to test if you get them. Your boss has probably had a similar email...

TisTheSeasonToBeVegan · 13/12/2021 09:31

WHY?! I have absolutely no cough, no fever, no change in taste or smell, no cold symptoms of any kind. I have been sick after eating a meal out and already feel a little better.

Because although the government haven't updated the symptom list, there’s lots of people saying they presented with other symptoms, including the ones you describe.

girlmom21 · 13/12/2021 09:31

You shouldn't have to get one in this situation but I suppose, at a push, you would have some kind of temperature if you have food poisoning, and vomiting can be a result of a high temperature?

Presumably you'll be paid while you're awaiting a test result so I'd just go for it.

My workplace ask some people for proof of a negative result but not others. I think it depends how trustworthy they think somebody is.

Tal45 · 13/12/2021 09:31

As you don't have any official symptoms I'd do a LFT test as they're so much simpler.

Original poster
JuneDr · 13/12/2021 09:32

I don't have diarrhea or severe headache, I literally vomitted for one night a few times and am now starting to feel better.

OP posts:
Original poster
JuneDr · 13/12/2021 09:33

I took my temp last night and this morning and no temperature.

I'll go and so a LTF, I have them downstairs.

OP posts:
Original poster
JuneDr · 13/12/2021 09:33

(I also did a LTF before I went out on Saturday which was of course negative).

OP posts:
mrsbitaly · 13/12/2021 09:33

My daughter had no symptoms whatsoever she has tested postive

Hankunamatata · 13/12/2021 09:35

Most places are saying lft

Original poster
JuneDr · 13/12/2021 09:35

@mrsbitaly

My daughter had no symptoms whatsoever she has tested postive
And?

I'm not sure how that's relevant. We all know you can be symptomless and test positive. My point was vomitting a few times in one evening then feeling better with no other symptoms is not typical Covid symptoms requiring testing.

OP posts:
TisTheSeasonToBeVegan · 13/12/2021 09:40

I don't have diarrhea or severe headache, I literally vomitted for one night a few times and am now starting to feel better.

A family friends child tested positive after having stomach ache and sickness for only a few hours. She developed a slight cough a few days later but apparently nothing more. They’re just being careful I suppose as it can present like you’ve described.

loopyapp · 13/12/2021 09:42

You know what you're probably right and it is completely maddening.

However.

You can't go to work for 48 hours since the last Time you puked in case it's a sickness bug and not food poisoning.

In 48 hours you can easily take a pcr and have the results back. The Time spent typing your angry posts here would have got it booked and had you done so and got down there before 10am your results would have likely been back before 6am tomorrow!!

You probably don't need you and you're very likely right in your assessment but you're off anyway as per sickness symptoms rules for 48 hours .. what harm would it do to just swipe your throat and nose for 20 seconds and wait for a text message???

Original poster
JuneDr · 13/12/2021 09:46

I'm not saying I won't do it. If I have to I have to. I'm saying I think it's stupid Smile

OP posts:
yikesanotherbooboo · 13/12/2021 09:48

A work colleague of mine got her teenager tested because he was vomiting after going to a party. He was positive.
I don't think it is unreasonable to expect a PCR in this case even if the chance of it being positive is low and as pp said as you are quarantining anyway you will hopefully have the result back before the need to miss more work.

Wideawakeandconfused · 13/12/2021 09:50

Of course you need to do a PCR! It’s such an easy thing to do why would you not?

GraceAndFaith · 13/12/2021 09:53

It IS ridiculous. But you'll get lots of people posting here saying 'my child tested positive and the only symptom she had was a spot on her chin'.

People still get poorly from other things Hmm is this just it now? Whenever we feel even slightly under the weather we need to all rush off to be tested for Covid.