NHS put me at risk but will not test me!

[TreesFallintheWoods]

Firstly, to be very clear, I am not blaming the person who unknowingly exposed me but I am blaming the system.

I had Physiotherapy by an NHS professional. Physiotherapist was later diagnosed with coronavirus. All her patients were contacted by PH England. My session was 30 mins, she was close to my face, breathing near me and touching me, as you would expect.

I am in the incubation period and have shown symptoms of a dry cough and a raised temperature. I fully accept this may be coincidence but I am concerned.

Yesterday AM, NHS 111 had agreed to refer me for swabs but now official guidelines are only that hospitalised patients get swabbed. This changed yesterday PM!

I want to be reassured. I am not usually an anxious person.

I have an underlying disease which puts me in the highest risk category. All this in mind, I expected to be tested.

I don’t understand why on earth they referred me for a test and while I was awaiting this to be sorted, they changed their minds.

Because BoJo changed the priorities? A cynic would say to hide the real numbers...
Hope you're ok & it's just a cold.

They are trying to save NHS cash by not testing. If you suspect you have it you must treat it as if you have. Self care and self isolate, if your symptoms are life threatening then you must get immediate help.

They just don't want to spend money on the tests when they can save the cash to help those in dire need.

It's shit!!

FFS I agree it's to hide the numbers BASTARD

I should have added that I am isolating which is fine. I think lack of testing is very unfair.

On some level, I understand why. You cannot test everyone because Mrs Smith said her dog walker’s hairdresser’s uncle’s best friend sat next to someone on the bus who mentioned they had been to Italy and now Mrs Smith has a cough.

Screw you, BoJo. You don’t care about the people.

We are lemmings while have been lined up against a cliff

Who**

Testing will not now change your care. You must now assume you have it. If your symptoms get worse call 111 or 999 if they are much worse and you will be assessed and admitted (and then tested) if needed . Any healthcare professional you contact will assume you have it and treat you accordingly. Have a low threshold for contacting 111 for help. I believe that if you are unable to do your normal daily activities due to your symptoms you should be assessed.

I think in some way it’s fair enough as what would actually change if you got a positive result? You still would look after yourself at home and seek medical assistance if you began to feel seriously unwell... I appreciate it must be very scary though Are you having any current hospital treatment or under consultant care/anything else? Could you ask them for advice?

Absolutely you should be tested, that is disgraceful. OP take care, definitely self isolate until symptoms are completely gone. If you deteriorate, call 111. I am so sorry you are going through this

60-80% of us are going to get it over the next 10weeks or so. Most of those people won’t be tested. The guidance now is if you have symptoms then assume you have it and stay in. If you are too unwell to cope at home call 111/999 for help (call GP first in Scotland)

If you think about it logically though, what difference would a test make to you? There is no cure for coronavirus. They would only treat your symptoms. They'd treat you the same with or without a positive test for coronavirus.

If you’re going to behave (isolation etc) as if you’re positive anyway, there really isn’t much point in testing. With hospitalised cases it’s more important to have a confirmed diagnosis so we know what we’re treating. You say yourself, you just want reassurance really - I’m afraid we really can’t spend money on reassuring people at the moment.

"On some level, I understand why. You cannot test everyone because Mrs Smith said her dog walker’s hairdresser’s uncle’s best friend sat next to someone on the bus who mentioned they had been to Italy and now Mrs Smith has a cough."

Craziness. No one says this about testing for the flu, or Lyme disease, or HIV! This is the new party line in the UK and US, but in other countries, indeed you can get tested just because you're a bit anxious about your cold symptoms. In fact, it's considered patriotic to do so.

The difference couldn't be more stark. And it's going to kill people, for the sake of gaming some short-term numbers.

I think that in addition to minimising the numbers diagnosed bojo is also aware of the capacity of the labs, the sheer numbers expected in coming weeks mean that most will not be tested only those where there will be an impact on patient care.

( we may also run out of swabs pretty soon if not more cautious!)

You can't compare it with hiv or lyme disease though, there are specific treatments that would be dependent on a positive diagnosis for those. There isn't a specific treatment for coronavirus. The op is doing exactly what she should do by isolating herself, therefore she's not going to spread it.

The PM said NHS can only do urgent care.
It will actually make the numbers look worse because most people with the virus won’t need the hospital. So if all the cases counted as confirmed are those bad enough to need the hospital, it will make the death rate look really really high/worse.

Surely the only good reason for testing is to help track cases and numbers?

I’m not ignoring that as a very important factor BUT not testing frees up money and medical staff. Two things we vitally need right now.

It changes literally nothing for the individual.

But surely if you are tested & found to be positive, then those people you've come into contact should/would be notified?
Otherwise what's the point of people like Tom Hanks being tested & then the Aus authorities trying to track down everyone he's come into contact with? It's to reduce the spread surely?

Thank you for those who have offered rational explanations. I am listening, I do understand and I appreciate it.

I’m probably overreacting. I’ll continue to isolate and keep an eye on my health.

It’s scary times, really not much fun.

I probably just need to find a good book to distract myself with and keep resting.

Cheers.

Unless requiring treatment at a hospital, the treatment is what you're doing- self isolation for 14 days. The cost of swabbing is not cheap, and if you're 'healthy' and self isolating, then an officials diagnosis is t necessary. If you get worse then you'd need to present for testing.

That sounds like a good plan trees. Rest up and make sure you seek medical advice if you're concerned about your symptoms.

Not sure what help you think testing you is going to do. A lot of people are going to get this virus we have to accept that. The only way to protect the very ill and vulnerable is to only treat those who become very ill. Its not anyone's fault, we are all trying to do the best for everyone.

It makes no difference if you are tested, there is no specific treatment. The testing capacity need saving for hospital patients, so they can be isolated from other unwell patients. You are self isolating therefore there is no benefit from testing you.

You aren't overreacting. Other countries are testing and making plans to increase their testing facilities. They are now saying even mild cases could leave scar damage on our lungs but it will all be minimised/dismissed in the UK because it isn't being recorded.

I think if there was a simple test they would do it but the testing takes ages as it’s not an easy test to run. We have given up on contain here which is why we are no longer trying to case trace. Saying we have given up on contain means that otherwise well people won’t be tested as we have accepted the virus is now everywhere. The WHO dont think we should have given up on contain but that’s a different discussion