False Negative

[EuphegeniaDoubtfire]

Has anyone had a test which was a false negative?

Whether it was false negative, poor swab technique or the incorrect time for testing I got a negative result, yet my symptoms were-

Sore throat, after a few days dry persistent cough, significantly increased shortness of breath (couldn't even lie in bed, had to rest/sleep in a chair. I normally run loads of km each week), hot painful lungs and loss of smell and taste.

So obviously not fit to return to work at the hospital after the negative result.
Now at over 2 weeks since the symptoms started I'm absolutely exhausted, ache all over and have an intermittent sore throat and cough.
I can only walk for 15 mins around the garden before I'm tired (broken).

My husband has had slightly milder but similar symptoms to me a few days delayed.

So yes tested negative, but pretty clinically indicative that I've had covid.

I've a relative who has all the symptoms, and is in a really bad way, yet has tested negative.

Worrying, really.

I hope that your relative makes a swift recovery.

Please don't let the negative result put them off using the 111 symptom checker/getting medical attention as required.

My GP (I was signed off work after a week self-cert) said that one of the GP's had got a negative result, but obviously covid symptoms. It is relatively common even in patients admitted to hospital from the swab test. Further diagnostics are used in these instances, chest X-ray, CT scan.
My sick note says 'symptoms of covid, despite negative test'.
X

Thank you.

I hope you're feeling better now.

Yes, thank you for asking.

Lots better now, still pretty exhausted, but I can breath 👍🏼
Boy, it was the illest I've ever felt.

I hope your relative is ok?

A neighbour of mine (nurse) was in hospital with pneumonia a couple of weeks ago. She tested positive on the third attempt.

I think the false negative rate is as high as 30%. I'd imagine home tests are worse and since the symptoms is so gradual in onset it's pretty hard to get the timing right with the best will in the world (first five days but ideally day three). I had symptoms from Sunday but no cough or fever initially so didn't think twice re covid. I developed a fever and tried to order a home test on Tuesday night but I didn't actually have it done until the following Sunday morning ... so seven days.

I would be completely gobsmacked if the result is anything other than negative but will still have no clue whether I actually have/had covid or not.

(that's before thinking about all the technical issues of the home administered test when you're only functioning at 50% brain power :/ )

relative nhs worker in contact with cases ... all symptoms.
swab done badly. negative test

They're only 70% accurate, which is worrying.

It's the same with UTI lab tests too apparently, my cousin gets really bad UTIs but when her urine gets analysed about 90% of the time the test comes back negative for an infection, yet antibiotics clears it completely. Her consultant said the tests are only 70% accurate. She was fobbed off my loads of different GPs before she saw the consultant.

My DF passed away recently, with respiratory failure and pneumonia. He did have underlying health issues.
Tested twice, both negative - nurses said they believe there are many false negatives.

It wasn't an at home test. My relative went to a drive-thru type place.

I'm certain that she's got it. Her partner is a nurse working closely with covid patients. She's got all the symptoms, including an eye infection (which has only recently been linked, I believe). Her partner is back at work as the rest was negative.

It's interesting re the UTI tests - I get the symptoms frequently too, but always come back clear when tested.