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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if you still test for Covid?

157 replies

thebestcestmoi · 25/11/2022 15:10

This has been on my mind now that the general cough/cold season is upon us.

What do you do if you are having Covid-type symptoms eg cough and temp?

Do you own/pay for LF tests? How often and sparingly do you use them?

It just feels a bit strange this year with no clear guidance...

OP posts:
Mariposista · 25/11/2022 22:00

Never have and never will

Amboseli · 25/11/2022 22:36

@ParisHotel nothing you've said is rational. But I assume you'll be testing for the rest of your life which of course is your prerogative. I won't be testing at all. Horses for courses.

Lcb123 · 25/11/2022 22:38

I wouldn’t, if I’m unwell I’d try and stay home or at least away from others.

MamaBear54321 · 25/11/2022 22:53

As someone who has lost a parent to covid who was high risk i will continue to test for the rest of my life if no cure is ever found. I am also high risk . Unfortunatley so many people have forgotten we can control this if we all do our bit starting with testing ...ignoring it wont control it just spread it and that is the worst part of it all.

MrsJBaptiste · 25/11/2022 22:53

No, I haven't tested for months. I have regular hospital appointments and even the Covid checks and testing before appointments has stopped now.

thelobsterquadrille · 25/11/2022 22:55

Unfortunatley so many people have forgotten we can control this

You can't control a virus that spreads before symptoms start to show.

SeenAndNot · 25/11/2022 23:11

I test occasionally, if I have a hospital appointment or I’ve got a new dry cough, otherwise do t bother now. It’s everywhere so can’t really avoid it.

SeenAndNot · 25/11/2022 23:12

Obviously if I’m unwell I stay away from others.

sleepwouldbenice · 26/11/2022 00:47

thelobsterquadrille · 25/11/2022 22:55

Unfortunatley so many people have forgotten we can control this

You can't control a virus that spreads before symptoms start to show.

Ok. Minimise
Understand?

mathanxiety · 26/11/2022 05:23

@thelobsterquadrille

You can significantly reduce spread of covid by wearing masks and being diligent about hand sanitising and washing.

mathanxiety · 26/11/2022 05:25

And what is wrong or onerous about frequent testing?

If you get a positive you steer clear of other people for 10 days or so. If negative, you proceed as usual.

The upside is that you don't spread it If you quarantine as a result of testing. Not everyone is going to bounce back from covid.

FlamingJingleBells · 26/11/2022 05:29

I tested last weekend for the first time in about 8 months. I was visiting a friend who was recovering from an illness so wanted to ensure I was virus free.

RightsHoarder · 26/11/2022 05:31

I tested myself and my daughter recently as we had symptoms but other than that, no. I would test if I was seeing someone high risk.

UseOfWeapons · 26/11/2022 06:12

I test if I feel a bit off, or if work notify me that a colleague has COVID, but not regularly any more.

Conkersareback · 26/11/2022 06:18

Nope, don't test.

They seem to be fairly useless. Just giving false negatives, so everyone goes out saying "but I'm negative", then two days later it's positive.

Useless

Conkersareback · 26/11/2022 06:20

mathanxiety · 26/11/2022 05:25

And what is wrong or onerous about frequent testing?

If you get a positive you steer clear of other people for 10 days or so. If negative, you proceed as usual.

The upside is that you don't spread it If you quarantine as a result of testing. Not everyone is going to bounce back from covid.

Do you know any people who've had symptoms but got a negative, then a couple of days later a positive?

Because I do!

Yerroblemom1923 · 26/11/2022 06:24

No, we don't test anymore and have spare tests still when they were giving them out. If you're ill you stay away from people anyway.

Muddywaters1 · 26/11/2022 07:40

No tests in the house, and haven't tested for over a year. No intention of testing if we have colds this winter

AllOfThemWitches · 26/11/2022 07:49

No, if I'm unwell with one of the hundreds of respiratory viruses that could be dangerous to vulnerable people, I use my common sense and stay in until I feel better. No need to test to find out what I already know; that I'm not in a fit state to be going anywhere.

DangerNoodles · 26/11/2022 07:56

I'm not, work have told us we need to come in and unless we are physically unable to work with it we won't get paid if we choose to take time off. A woman who works in the shop next door is on her final warning at work because she does test and takes time off every time she gets a positive.

I can't afford the time off and I can't afford to lose my job. I've 'done my bit' all through the lockdowns to the detriment of mine and my family's mental health. There comes a point where normal life has to continue.

firef1y · 26/11/2022 08:03

mathanxiety · 25/11/2022 19:11

I don't see a problem with testing forever.

Why would this be a problem?

I go to the doctor if I think I have strep and get tested in the office. After a positive I get a prescription for antibiotics.

It's the same with covid testing including the prescription.

Do you pay for your covid tests??? I'm guessing you're not in the UK, seeing as we don't get tested for strep either, certainly not as a standard thing. Don't think I've ever been tested for it and I've had antibiotics for throat infections plenty of times over the last 50 years

ChilomenaPunk · 26/11/2022 08:42

I've got some tests left from when we all got Covid for the first time this summer.

I'd use one if I had symptoms and felt unwell.

RufustheFloralmissingreindeer · 26/11/2022 08:46

I did a month or two ago but that was the last time and I don’t remember exactly why i did it 🤔

i think it might have had something to do with visiting my dad or going to an event

ive got tests left and may check in the future depending on the circumstances but I doubt very much I’ll get anymore tests

Inasec24 · 26/11/2022 08:51

What difference does it make if its Covid or not? That's the thing. If I am ill I will stay away from vulnerable people regardless of what virus has caused the illness. Once I'm better I carry on.

Inasec24 · 26/11/2022 08:53

NatalieIsFreezing · 25/11/2022 15:49

Yes i do if i have symptoms. Knowing several CEV people or those undergoing cancer treatment I think you're selfish if you pretend you're not harming anyone. Nothing really surprises me in that regard any more, though, I've seen people kick off about wearing a mask in a children's ward full of vulnerable children.

That said I've had friends recently who test negative then only test positive a few days in, so repeated testing can be necessary.

But if you are ill with a respiratory virus and you test negative, surely you would steer clear of vulnerable people anyway? No one is exclusively vulnerable to Covid.