Antibody tests - had one and it's negative and I now feel really upset

[FacingMyWaterloo]

I know this might sound ridiculous and I'm partially posting for you all to slap me round the face with a wet fish...

I work in central London and have a train/tube plus bus or walk commute. I'm defined as a key worker and though I have been able to do some work at home, I've also still had to go in, on and off.

In the middle of March, I had the coronavirus symptoms. 3 days after I came down with them, my partner (who is asthmatic, and works from home anyway) got the same symptoms as me but worse.

I need to do more work in town v soon so thought for peace of mind, we would have a private antibody test. We were absolutely convinced we had had it. His has come back positive and mine is negative and I feel totally devastated. I actually wish we hadn't had them done now. I did read there is more chance of a false negative and there are some people whose antibody levels don't pick up enough to test anyway.

Please talk some sense in me because for some reason I feel utterly miserable about it. Dp is of course delighted and now feels invincible yet he's the one who gets to stay at home anyway!

I’ve asked for the name to be removed as it looks like a fraudulent site and testing method.

@FacingMyWaterloo please don’t say where you had the test as it’s clearly fraudulent too

One of the headlines today is there is no evidence you can get immunity from the virus anyway. So a waste of money all round.

It's really easy to think any sign of illness means coronavirus.
I was in hospital (for something else) and whilst there deveoped cough, high temp etc and on testing found it wasn't coronavirus.

A lot of people who think they have definitely had it are way of the mark.

There is a test called vivadiag rapid test that is being administered by some private clinics. You can look up the manufacturers information regarding accuracy.

Same happened to my cousin but I think it was a false negative as he had the same symptoms as loads of people at my work who have tested positive.

Why pay for a test that isn’t reliable? The tests not being used for a reason.

Surely the fact you've apparently been living with someone (I assume kissing them, sharing a bed etc) who had it and you didn't catch it would make your commute on the tube seem far less risky?

The address on that website is 4 mins away from Harley Street by foot.

I wouldnt buy one.

@Bluegrass I’ve reported your post too. That test is under trial in the US due for completion in September so there’s no gauge as to accuracy. In fact there’s also a number of Clinical papers asserting its inadequate if you google.

Please don’t promote things for people to lose their money on which are also potentially dangerous

I don't think there are any decent antibody tests yet - as there are a lot of questions over sensitivity and specificity.

More on sensitivity really - a test that is 90% sensitive will mean that for every 100 people who have antibodies, 90 of them will be positive.

Then you need to look at a qualitative vs a quantitative test.

Lots of questions.

How much did you pay for it?

The tests are unreliable.

Many people who have had it have low levels of antibodies.

It is not yet known if having had it or produced antibodies prevents recurrence, so nothing for your partner to get cocky about.

Thanks, yes that's true @TimeForChange123 - I am starting to feel a bit better :)

I just desperately don't want to get it and give it to the dcs just because I have a job where I need to be there every now and then!

www.who.int/news-room/commentaries/detail/immunity-passports-in-the-context-of-covid-19

The address on that website is 4 mins away from Harley Street by foot

@Cityonlockdown incorrect. That address is where they are sending people to have a COVID test. Which weirdly is a ‘clinical trial’ facility. The Harley St clinic does not physically exist as far as I can see.

If people want to go to fancy (and extremely reputable) west London skin is to pay for tests based on published results regarding accuracy they are more than welcome to. It’s a tool and makes no claim to whether a positive result tells you anything whatsoever about future immunity.

Personally I can’t afford it but other people can it’s up to them - especially as it is only given following a face to face consultation with a frickin’ doctor!!

For “skin” read “clinics”!

1. Surely an address on Harley St just means the company has customers with more money than sense and therefore they can afford the rent?

1. As pp have mentioned, antibody tests are not yet accurate

1. There's no proof of immunity even if you have had it...

I've been given a coronavirus swab result today. I have symptoms, have had since wednesday, but the result is negative.

I'm NHS frontline staff, and I sat with a group of colleagues last week having lunch (we have no choice where we eat) and 6 of them have all tested positive. We dont wear PPE in the room where we eat, and I've been asked to return to work. I've declined as I have ongoing symptoms, as does someone else in my household.

We are told at work tests are only 60% accurate (not antibody testing, coronavirus testing) so on that information the consultant in charge today ( and my union) have all supported the decision that I should be isolating. Even the official testing isnt 100% accurate so I would not put too much weight behind unofficial testing.

Its not on Harley Street though, its 4 mins away on Great Titchfield Street, London.

They have just used the name.

Thanks @PeppaPigOinkOinkOink that's reassuring. I hope you remain safe and glad you've been able to isolate now

The address on that website is 4 mins away from Harley Street by foot

suite.endole.co.uk/explorer/postcode/ec2a-4ne

Apparently there are 3705 companies using that postcode

I know someone who was tested in hospital (for virus not antibodies) and was negative, they retested him next day and it was positive. I'm not sure what this tells me!

I’ve reported all the posts promoting private clinics and Mumsnet are removing them

@slashlover busy old building! Considering it’s all townhouses around there