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!

Hiding away is no life at all.

Oh for God's sake, there are plenty of more and less serious illnesses in the world than covid! They could have anything! Covid is no longer that much of a threat. Just move on...

Are we really still talking about this??

But since we are, no you don't have to test that vigorously. That's not even how they did it at official test centres.

It's been the top cause of death in E/W (according to ONS) so pretty important, overtaking the previous leading cause (dementia/Alzheimers). It remains a threat. And a major burden on NHS

Of the top ten, only 2 are contagious, the other being flu/pneumonia (and there is also a 'symptoms signs and and ill-defined conditions' category.

That's based on death certificates, not 'within X days of a positive test'

Hey, I was just rubbing the OP. I’m certain they’ll have done your friend’s test properly, I really hope she’s OK!

@properdoughnut what measures do you think people should take to do that? To be taking it seriously. Last time I checked most people do try avoid getting any kind of illness, they aren't out licking the faces of infected people. Or are you advocating something beyond common sense autumn/ winter germ avoidance?