Are you still testing?

[Usernamestillloading]

Came down with in the old world would be a ‘cold like symptom’ on Saturday - scratchy throat, slightly elevated body temperature, tired, achy - didn’t occur to test, woke up today to feeling slightly better however had a sudden dizzy spell- had just one test leftover so tested and I’m positive- feel slightly worried mainly because I know it’s Covid, but are people still testing?

And I presume you don't visit them if you have a cold?

No. Only ever did tests for travel purposes anyway.

I tested when I had a sore throat and knew there had been positives in my local circles (it wasn't covid, it was strep, turns out there's also a rapid test at the pharmacy for that!) I don't think the number of vaccinations makes a big difference to symptoms: a friend and I both had it after 4 vaccinations, and I was slightly ill for a day and a half and she had a fever for days.

I developed symptoms two days ago. 2 negative tests, so I assumed it was flu. Today the test was positive. I'm triple jabbed. I feel absolutely rubbish. Still got a headache and temp of 38° plus a cough, v &d, and aching all over. I work in different schools so managed to stock up on tests, and have tested regularly throughout.

No, never did.

Yes, my OH is CEV who I test whenever I've been in close contact with other people, though I try to keep that to a minimum. Our son is at Uni and he tests whenever he is about to come home for the odd weekend - luckily he understands the importance and risk to OH and is compliant with us - he also wears a mask when we pick him up from the station and other close contact/enclosed areas.

Lol, this is not necessarily the case. I'm very responsible and have stopped testing. I have tested once or twice when dh had covid (he tested as he sees his cev mum but other than that I avoid where possible. Hopefully all the 'responsible' people are also testing for flu and all the other common infections that may happen. It's basically on the same level now.

Gish aren't you great. A real brave rebel 🙄

Only when I have symptoms. I’ve had symptoms all week, tested negative so assumed it’s a cold, but lost my senses of taste and smell today, so tested again and am positive (first time I’ve had it).

I feel rough with it but only like a bad cold, though I have laryngitis and it appears to be getting a bit chesty

I think this is framed incorrectly (no shade at OP).

The question should be: should we all still be testing? As in, it's a public health issue.

Given that it's public health, testing should still be free. But it's not because the government wants COVID to be "over" and one of the best ways to do that is to make testing unaffordable. Or at least an unwelcome expense.

And before the "oh we can't afford to hand out free tests willy nilly" crowd comes along, if testing was still free, people would test (and hopefully then isolate etc.) and that might bring down infections, thereby reducing the pressure on the NHS, which is the greater cost.

A problem like this isn't solved by individuals testing. We should look to central government and ask why all of the support measures have been removed when the virus remains so prevalent.

So you could have caught it from a contact.

You now have symptoms.

You didn't test properly.

And from that you have decided it's a cold. 🤦‍♀️

Of course not. No need for a test if I am unwell as I would not visit.

Yes. CV/CEV household.

No if I was really sick I might but I always have cold symptoms at this time of year so I would be testing daily

Well that's fair enough.

But there seems to be people on here who think it's cool to never test, or smug to test when necessary.

Yep, and I have it 🙄

Still testing if I have symptoms (not otherwise)

I have the last few days as I've felt utterly rubbish. Throat is like glass, which is making me cough, my head is banging and everything aches. They've all been negative though so think just a heavy cold/flu.
Prior to this, I've had no reason to, had covid at Christmas and haven't had any symptoms since.

I don't think it is necessary for the majority of people. Vulnerable people aren't going to be just vulnerable to covid.

But particularly vulnerable to covid. Stop making excuses.

No. Never had symptoms.

Yes we tested positive last week. I tested out of sheer curiosity, but then felt really guilty about going out so basically self imposed isolation!

you don’t have to test, you don’t have to isolate, but it’s a personal choice!

i only had the two jabs, I’m slim, early 30s, don’t smoke and it’s knocked me sideways. Still suffering now!!

I kind of thought I was immune. Now, just caught it for the first time. Tested as felt bad and had been away. Tested positive for 11 days, still fell rough @ month after first testing positive. It wasn’t pleasant.

Excuses for what? If I'm unwell I am not going to visit anyone vulnerable, I don't need to know what I have.

I do twice weekly because I'm frontline NHS, I also test extra if I have any symptoms.

DH works from home so doesn't unless he's symptomatic (which is literally only when he's had covid because he never gets any other illness, even when the rest of us do!)

I don't routinely test the kids (pre school/reception age) unless they are feverish because they're constantly snotty this time of year and I figure if they get it I probably will too and will test positive and then we can test them (dunno if that's faulty logic 😬)

If I wasn't already testing I probably would before seeing vulnerable family members/friends, just in case (like my mum who has COPD and thankfully hasn't had it yet 🤞).