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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think if your Covid test is negative, but you have ALL the symptoms

156 replies

HighFlierNowWaiting · 29/09/2022 15:30

...then it is quite likely you aren't doing the test thoroughly enough?

To get an accurate result, you need to test BOTH the throat and nose, throat firmly enough so you gag, and nose enough so you sneeze. You have to do each spot for at least ten seconds - that's quite a long time!

I see on here, and hear from others that despite sore throats, coughs, sneezes, joint and muscle pain, bad headaches, fever, chills, and tiredness like they have NEVER experienced before, Covid tests return negative results.

It then transpires they are doing a quick nostril wipe round and that's it!

Now obviously there are bugs around. Maybe people are more susceptible to coughs and colds after a couple of years of reduced exposure, but Covid prevalence is increasing again. If you feel dreadful - please take a test and do it properly.

For those that say 'it doesn't matter, Covid's just like a cold now' - that may be true for some. But not everyone. You may be unlucky and get very ill, or have a mild dose but end up disabled with Long Covid. Or you may pass it to someone vulnerable who could end up in hospital.

For that reason, you should still take Covid very seriously, and DO THE TEST PROPERLY.

And I'm sorry if people don't like this message, want to believe it's all over, are bored, or think I am fear-mongering. I would love Covid to no longer be an issue, but believe me, it still is.

Thank you for your attention!

OP posts:
PinkButtercups · 29/09/2022 15:32

I'm all for testing if you feel like you have it (if you have tests) but you do realise all these symptoms were symptoms of just a common cold before covid, right?

Quincythequince · 29/09/2022 15:32

Plenty of people get Covid symptoms because they have another bug, which also has the same symptoms of Covid, and therefore doesn’t show up on an LFT.

ComtesseDeSpair · 29/09/2022 15:34

I had all of those and felt bad enough to actually genuinely wish at points that I’d prefer to be dead with scarlet fever. A Covid test would have been negative, and I wouldn’t have had Covid. Lots of viruses have very similar symptoms, we just don’t test for them and panic when we sniffle.

TheyreOnlyNoodlesMichael · 29/09/2022 15:34

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BendingSpoons · 29/09/2022 15:34

I thought that but then DD got a positive result after lightly twisting the swab in her nostrils and going no-where near her throat. She didn't have symptoms either, so presumably her viral load was low. I understand with Omnicron that it takes longer to show up on tests, especially if you don't do the throat though.

SisterCassandra · 29/09/2022 15:34

🥱

YellowTreeHouse · 29/09/2022 15:35

Oh don’t be so ridiculous. Very few people are testing anymore and rightly so. There’s really no need.

Midnights · 29/09/2022 15:35

You don't have to do both nose and throat, some tests are nose only 😊 I definitely don't think you should be purposefully aiming to swab yourself so hard you sneeze and gag - sounds very sadistic!

You can be negative for covid because have a cold or similar, have a wonky test etc etc. There's lots of bugs and viruses going about with those symptoms!

ApolloandDaphne · 29/09/2022 15:35

I only did the nose tests when I had Covid. A quick swipe round each nostril and I had a blazing positive. It is very possible people just have the common or garden cold/flu.

candycaneframe · 29/09/2022 15:36

You'd not get the control line on the test if you didn't do it properly though?

Scianel · 29/09/2022 15:36

I avoid the confusion of testing improperly, by not testing.

Midnights · 29/09/2022 15:37

candycaneframe · 29/09/2022 15:36

You'd not get the control line on the test if you didn't do it properly though?

The control line will appear as long as the buffer solution is put onto the test, regardless of your swabbing abilities.

Scianel · 29/09/2022 15:38

You'd not get the control line on the test if you didn't do it properly though?

The control line is just from the reagent. Which made a particular nonsense of self-administered antigen tests for travel.

Rockbird · 29/09/2022 15:38

Tests moved on about 18 months ago. You only need to swab your nose now. If you're getting negatives on your nose and throat tests then it's because they've expired!

StandingInTheMoment · 29/09/2022 15:39

We’ve all tested positive before so clearly we do the tests correctly. One of my kids and my partner now have ‘all the symptoms’ but have tested negative. They might test again in a couple of days but it’s very possible it’s another virus. Either way, they’re both feeling ill so are in bed.

Sirzy · 29/09/2022 15:39

I am ill at the moment. I have done a couple of precautionary covid tests but it’s not that. It’s a cold/flu virus which has now turned into a chest infection. It’s rubbish but feeling rubbish isn’t always covid

Purplepeople12 · 29/09/2022 15:39

My daughter tested negative for 4 days with symptoms, felt better by day 5 then tested positive for 5 days after that.

Testing may not be needed anymore however If you're working on a hospital ward or looking after an elderly parent some of us still need to know!!!

JenniferBarkley · 29/09/2022 15:42

When we had it, the slightest brush with our young DC's noses produced a similar positive to the full unpleasant swab on DH and I.

The symptoms of covid are common lots of viral illness that are around at this time of year. If you test negative, repeatedly, it's highly unlikely that you have it.

JenniferBarkley · 29/09/2022 15:43

Oh, and both of my DCs have had swabs done in A&E, who were even more gentle than us.

1994girl · 29/09/2022 15:45

Haha

lickenchugget · 29/09/2022 15:46

Then you’ve probably got a different strain of flu. What does it matter if it’s covid? If you’re sick, stay home. If you’re not; carry on as normal.

I don’t know anyone still testing, in any case.

worriedatthistime · 29/09/2022 15:47

My ds has an awful
Sore throat and cough etc nut he has another bug as he has taken several covid tests and at 17 and the amount they had to take knows how to take them
Covid cases of course will rise but so will colds and flu as kts the season for them

DuckBilledFattypus · 29/09/2022 15:48

I'm not testing anymore.

gamerchick · 29/09/2022 15:48

I'm surprised anyones still testing. No point really considering we still have to go to work, unless too ill to go as usual.

Original poster
HighFlierNowWaiting · 29/09/2022 15:49

Thank you for your thoughtful replies.

I love it is obvious that many of you have not read my whole post 💁

OF COURSE not all illnesses are Covid. Of course, it is possible to test positive with just a nostril wipe. New tests can be used on just the nose, but obviously they will not be as reliable as swabbing both nose and throat.

My point is, if you are heavily symptomatic but testing negative, then test again, PROPERLY.

For those that don't think Covid is still problematic, it reflects poorly on you that you have become bored so quickly of a serious health issue. I hope that neither you nor your friends and family suffer any adverse effects from your disinterest.

OP posts: