Anyone thinking of going for a test? You should.

[CatherineCawood]

I have the Zoe app and have been faithfully logging any symptoms for weeks and weeks. This week I've had a stuffy nose and a feeling of lots of snot at the back of my throat and a blocked ear on and off.

I told the Zoe app this on Wednesday and they emailed me and said I should get a test. I didn't think that the symptoms were considered covid symptoms, I think its more of a summer cold/hayfever type thing.

I thought as they had told me to go get a test I should, as they are doing research and they need to know if my symptoms were significant or not.

Had my test yesterday at a testing centre (self test done in your car), bloody gob smacked to get a text and email today telling me I am positive for COVID-19 😱

So if you think you might have it go get a test, don't think you are taking one that someone else could have or wasting anyones time. If I hadn't had it I would now be carrying on like normal. When I booked my test there were over 1000 tests avalible at my local centre that day. When I went it was empty in and out in 10 mins.

Where I got it from I have no idea. I've seen 2 people for distanced walks this week, That's it. I dropped into ASDA last Friday but was in there for all of 10 mins, served myself sanitised my hands before and after. I also visited the pharmacy but again was careful with hand washing.

Sent my DH for a test today as he is rather more social than me. He booked a test and had it within an hour.

[CrowdedHouseinQuarantine]

also have plucked up the courage to have a test, have seen the video

[yearinyearout]

I had that a few weeks ago, felt like I needed to keep clearing my throat. I wasn't asked to get tested (I'm also using Zoe) is that a new symptom that's been added recently?

[Aginplease]

Had my results back from Sunday, they are negative. I'm glad I don't have it, but there's definitely something else doing it's rounds, as I feel awful 😭

[Wunderweb]

I’ve had another test prompt from the Zoe App from a day when I had awful hay fever symptoms. I felt fine next day and today. I’m not seeing point of another test though as previous one was negative and I’m suspicious it’s just about getting test numbers up.

[Lostinagoodbook]

@TheDrsDocMartens that's an interesting point..... Doesn't bother me this time as I know it's not coronavirus. If my ds was seriously ill I'd be getting medical attention anyway and they could do their own test, (also told it's not by gp and nurse before anyone asks how I know for sure).

Would be interesting to know how many parents are only testing children so they can return to school or nursery rather than because they are actually ill.

I did it on my 11 month old last night and it wasn't too bad if that reassures anyone else(I was worried). Managed 7-8 seconds in each nostril by starting when he was in a deep sleep. Fed him back to sleep afterwards.

[TheDrsDocMartens]

Negative doesn’t mean it’s worked though does it. If 30% are false negative and people aren’t doing them properly (I’m pretty sure I didn’t do mine properly) then they’ll show as negative rather than inconclusive.
Is that right?

[Elizabeth110100]

For those who are worried about getting an inconclusive result for their young children.... I did my 5 year old's test the other day. I touched her tongue with the swab as I pulled it out and didn't get the full 10 seconds up her nose but managed to get a negative result so you may be surprised.

[kimlo]

I've just recived a test after the app ask me to take one, it's being picked up tomorrow so I have to do it at 9.

I was also ill at the begining of march and I have been having these symptoms on and off since then, but it's more likely to be hayfever.

[Myfriendanxiety]

Had DC results through within 36 hours, negative!

Cotton bud in both nostrils, not that far for only a second or more was enough for a sample.

[Techway]

I had the test via reporting on the app. Choice of 3 test centres near me and all very efficient. Result was negative and back in just over 24 hours.

It is difficult to take throat swab due to gagging reflex but nose one is fine. You insert the long cotton bud quite far in until. There are instructions which are clear although it looks a faff as you have to double bag the sample.

I could fault the process and was reassured they have something right finally.

[Dinosauratemydaffodils]

That's interesting. I was exactly the same in March. Really ill, horrendous cough, temperature, headache, sore throat, achy, couldn't get up stairs with struggling to breathe. Dr sil was convinced I had it after I coughed repeatedly at her over the phone.

Now have a sore throat, headache, stuffy nose and intermittent ear ache (no sign of infection).

[CatherineCawood]

@SockYarn

Very impressed by speed of my result. Tested at 8.45 this morning. Text received at 5.55pm - negative.

Thought it would be, very grateful that they turned it around so quickly.

Wow that was super Quick I thought 25 hours was good! Glad you are negative.

[Aginplease]

I've just booked a test on the back of this thread, felt freezing cold Wed/Thur, now headache/sore throat/aching/tiredness. Dismissed as hayfever, but DH has convinced me to have a test.

[SockYarn]

Very impressed by speed of my result. Tested at 8.45 this morning. Text received at 5.55pm - negative.

Thought it would be, very grateful that they turned it around so quickly.

[CatherineCawood]

The results are in. I am the only positive person in the house.

[CatherineCawood]

@Branster

OP IF you actually had it in March and IF the test is a true positive then what you have here are remnants of the virus from March. It is some sort of long shedding process, and you are not infectious anymore and you are not actually infected or ill as such anymore either.
I follow the podcasts from CIDRAP and the chap there explained this very clearly in this week (or last week’s??) episode.
Although this does not apply to you in this case, some people test positive, then negative then positive again which means the negative reading was only negative because the test only detects x number of virus units so the virus is still there but in too low a number for the test to pick it up then it goes up a bit more for some reason.
I wish that a) we had a fast, easy to use at home reliable test and b) we’d know more about how this virus behaves.
There seem to be a lot more information available from other countries. Here I the UK we don’t know anything and nobody is explaining much.

The more I ponder it the more I think this is what has happened. We will see when the rest of my families results come back. If they are neg then I reckon I am still showing from March. I would put money in having had it in March. Should find out between 2pm today and 2pm tomorrow.

[Myfriendanxiety]

@lostinagoodbook no I only testing DC. Although maybe I should have done me too, I don’t have any symptoms but guess I could be carrying. If she is positive then we will do the rest of us.

[Lostinagoodbook]

@Myfriendanxiety ok thankyou for the tips- I'll do my best!!! Will get husband to help. Did you get tested too? Mine had a temp for less than an hour and seems fine but need him back at nursery....

[Myfriendanxiety]

@Lostinagoodbook I had to do one today on my 14 month old. You need two adults really, one to pin their arms and one to hold their head. I was on my own so left DC in the car seat, put a backwards cardigan over her to pin her arms in and then tried to hold her head and swap. It was pretty difficult and I’m expected inconclusive results as her nose is so tiny you don’t want to force it too far in and hurt her! It was pretty traumatic for us both.

She had a temperature for 12 hours. It’s gone down now and she is a picture of health this morning!

[Ponoka7]

Laiste
"So one set of tests was wrong or people don't always produce anti bodies."

Not everyone will produce antibodies. They know that some people will and will have some immunity, but that is showing to vary, person to person. You get false negatives, but not false positives.

It's why everyone is being encouraged to donate plasma, even if they've just had symptoms, because not everyone's plasma will be of use and we need lots.

Unfortunately those more vulnerable, are showing that they aren't producing antibodies and immunity doesn't happen.

[Branster]

OP IF you actually had it in March and IF the test is a true positive then what you have here are remnants of the virus from March. It is some sort of long shedding process, and you are not infectious anymore and you are not actually infected or ill as such anymore either.
I follow the podcasts from CIDRAP and the chap there explained this very clearly in this week (or last week’s??) episode.
Although this does not apply to you in this case, some people test positive, then negative then positive again which means the negative reading was only negative because the test only detects x number of virus units so the virus is still there but in too low a number for the test to pick it up then it goes up a bit more for some reason.
I wish that a) we had a fast, easy to use at home reliable test and b) we’d know more about how this virus behaves.
There seem to be a lot more information available from other countries. Here I the UK we don’t know anything and nobody is explaining much.

[Lostinagoodbook]

They did also say they have no idea how I'd do it as they have great difficulty with similar procedures and they are trained- so I'm with you- have they even considered how parents can do it???!!!!

[Orangeblossom78]

Mine are year 10 and 6 just gone back

[SockYarn]

Have booked a test. 1383 slots available over the next 5 days at the local airport. Fair to say they aren't overwhelmed. DH making plans to confine me to the garage.

[Lostinagoodbook]

Cremebrule I spoke to the gp as I don't even think he has it (temp of 38 for less than an hour at nursery) but they have to follow guidelines and he can't go back until tested. Gp was pretty incredulous and said obv not coronavirus, said sorry didn't know what to say- try to do the test or stay off work due to no childcare! Apparently they have only known of little ones to have the test if admitted to hospital with symptoms.....

Quite nervous about doing it and worried this might be a regular issue through winter :-(.