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

[HighFlierNowWaiting]

...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!

I tested positive last week, nose only, on every test I did right through to day 10. My OH caught it off me and had symptoms before his tests turned positive - we knew what it was anyway, but it definitely took a while to show up on the test.

I don't think it's about testing 'properly' - when my kids have had it the red line has showed up within seconds after the most gentle wipe of the inside of the nose imagineable. When I had it I def did the test 'properly' but only got a positive several days in.

YABU because there is no real requirement for any of us to test at all any more. I have a bit of a stockpile and so if there is any suspicion I will be testing. But once I've run out I can't see me being bothered to pay for some more. I

Some people just couldn't care less about more vulnerable folk. Until their relative gets Covid & realises just HOW bad it can be. My sister is on her third dose of it, has Long Covid already, & can barely breathe. But sod it, eh? :-(

I'm not sure what you want people to do? They need to earn.

I mean, I HAVE Long Covid, two years and counting. Bit of a fatigue day just yesterday.

I still think you're being an arse about it. We've become unable to handle death and disease stoically and sensibly, and I don't think that's a good thing.

you may have flu not covid and if you have flu it doesn't matter if you gag 20 times you will still have a negative covid test

back in 2018 winter about 50,000 people died of flu in the UK it was sad for the people and their families but live carried on, there is a normal number of flu chest infections pneumonia deaths per day depending on time of year 50,000 is the equivalent of 137 per day, 20,000 is which is more usual number is 56 per day however it is normally closer to 200 from Dec to March and very low the rest of the time.
People forget that flu did cause death before, the fatality rate of covid and flu are now almost identical; and that on average 1800 people die every day in the UK whether from old age, dementia, heart disease, cancer, accidents etc and 7 babies are still born per day and 6-7 people between ages 1-18 die every day

I tested properly every single time I felt unwell....they have all come up negative despite doing a test every day during my bout of illness, which included many symptoms of covid.

I actually agree, Op. I currently have covid for the first time. I have been jabbed 4 times. I worked through the pandemic, went on holiday twice and have been to the cinema, theatre etc countless times since then. Not a hint of Covid. I have finally succumbed in work and I'm sure it's down to this ridiculous 5 day isolation - that is the reason. I work in an educational setting and it's currently rife there. A lot of it is down to people returning still positive after 5 days because, it's allowed, people claiming "it's just a cold" and not testing because, understandably they don't want to pay for tests. I personally think it's morally wrong to work and mix while positive. I think the 10 day isolation and free testing needs reintroducing.

^ this. The bills don't stop coming just because a person has covid, and yes, I know exactly just HOW bad covid can be, I have my mothers death certificate as proof of that.

Alternatively, just stay away from people if you're ill.

Annoyingly I can't. I have to go to work.

Why do we need to test at all (unless its for eg before a hospital admission)?

We don't need to isolate etc.

We should be deciding whether we are fit enough to be at work/out and about based on whether we are actually well enough.

Oh so you don't swap your arse?

Well op didn't really come back did she!!?

Funny that!

SWAB I MEANT SWAB

Other viruses exist in the world.

I read the instructions on the last test I took very thoroughly because it had been a while since I'd done one. The swab was only short, about 3 inches long, and the instructions clearly stated to use in both nostrils to a specific distance only, and not to swab the throat. I followed the instructions to the letter, and it was a new kit, purchased the same day. It was resoundingly negative. DH and DD also tested, and theirs were negative as well.

What else can you do?

Alternatively, just stay away from people if you're ill

Not possible for everyone. I work from home so that's easy enough for me and I'm happy to. Self-employed DH works all over the place.

I think the 10 day isolation and free testing needs reintroducing

Do we print more money to pay for that?

Sometimes people don't test positive until a few days in to symptoms

I think the responsible thing to do is keep away from other people as much as you possibly can (WFH if possible, mask if you have to be inside, insist on good ventilation for those around you, have shopping delivered, put off anything non-urgent, ring for advice before going in to any medical setting)

Even if it's not covid, it's worth keeping disgusting colds to yourself, and of course it'll soon be flu season and people don't want that either

My DC wouldn’t let me anywhere near their tonsils to test, the best I could get was a tiny wiggle slightly up one nostril. But when they were positive there was no denying it, those two lines appeared very strong regardless of how tiny a sample I’d been able to take.

How very patronising. What do you mean, 'then test again, PROPERLY'? Who the hell do you think you are?

People are testing properly and following the instructions on the kits. They are doing what the kit tells them to do.

Not possible to do this. People need to work. Especially after the last few years. But its common sense that if someone is likely to be more vulnerable to getting covid then they need to take extra care to protect themselves. As it's them who have to live with the consequences of it

think the 10 day isolation and free testing needs reintroducing.

All those missed work days? It was a big mistake for the economy to lock down before. I very much doubt this will be happening again. The country needs to get back up on its feet. And those who are vulnerable need to take steps to look after themselves.

I think the 10 day isolation and free testing needs reintroducing

Ah yes, criminalising people whilst failing to provide them with financial support to isolate. The good old days. You're on some very good glue if you think that's going to get widespread observance. Compliance was clearly breaking down by the start of this year even before the spiralling cost of living.

My friend was hospitalised with all Covid symptoms and tested negative 5 times. The nurses tested her.

Super patronising OP. Try again, PROPERLY.

I don't test because I am on a tight budget and its a waste of money knowing whether or not I have covid.