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.

[fadingfast]

Interesting to hear your experience OP. I've had an email from them today asking me to take a test, as I reported a sore throat and nausea yesterday. I've had a few minor symptoms on and off since late March (no temperature or cough though) and did a test in early May, which was negative. Part of me thinks doing another test is a total waste of time/resources, but I also want to do my bit for the study. I very much doubt it will be positive. As others have said, I think you can still test positive some weeks after the original infection, if you are shedding the virus (but not necessarily infectious?).

[Myfriendanxiety]

I took DC today for a test because they have a high temperature, was every easy to book, lots of slots available. However it was bloody impossible to administer to a 1 year old in the back seat of a car so I’m expecting inconclusive results!

[megladon2020]

My dc had a cough last week so I booked a test that morning and got a slot that Pm. I also took the test. Trying to administer to a child is hard. 10 seconds tickling your tonsils is not good. Dc screamed the whole way through it. Both tests came back within 24 hrs as negative.

[fadingfast]

I don't know whether to self isolate pending the results or not? I've not got the classic symptoms and only getting the test because the Zoe app asked me to. We're meant to be seeing my mum on Sunday (in the garden, 2m distance). I don't know if we should now or not

[Orangeblossom78]

OP so I guess you all have to isolate for 14 days now?

I am inf of regretting ordering the test now, as mine too was months ago and just been lingering. Wonder what happens can you cancel it or not send it back

[Cremebrule]

I’ve done two self tests now and think I’ve done it fine on myself. I am not convinced there is any point me ever testing my two under 5s. I think they should really be getting a HCP to do them on small children otherwise the results will be pointless.

[Laiste]

I've just down loaded the app on the back of this thread!

Couple of questions: if Zoe asks you to test does that mean the test is free?

Also when do you all tend to report? 'Cos i feel like shit most mornings - full of snottyness and with a soreish throat. Yesterday i was boiling even thought the house was cool. I was fine then after an hour or so. I tend to feel a bit shitty in the evenings because of tiredness. So on a normal day do i wait till i feel fine and then report? Or report at my worst?

[Laiste]

Sorry for the overthinking.

[justanotherneighinparadise]

I was invited to take a test today but I decided not to. Can I ask what your symptoms were, did you have s temperature?

[Northernsoullover]

I'm glad you have posted this. A friend of mine had what she thought was sinusitis and was tested. It was positive. She had no 'typical' symptoms and her work were insistent that she came in. As she's a carer for the elderly she was quite firm with them about a test which was just as well.
I'm seeing threads now where posters are describing atypical symptoms and are being told its hayfever or a cold. By a random stranger on a forum . If in doubt treat it as Covid and get the test.

[JoyceByersWasRight]

Do you just type in ZOE to find the app?

[Laiste]

JoyceByersWasRight - yes, it offers Zoe and Zoe Covid. I chose Zoe covid and it seems to be it.

[Laiste]

The sinusitis thing is interesting. I've had 3 days of symptoms like that. --but i didnt put it in the app when i got it just now as i thought it was better to start off with a clean slate.

I think i'm going to be a useless member of this app ......

[irisnotadaff]

I’ve had a funny smell for the last 2 days or so, feeling pretty tired, got a headache today and feeling a bit coldy-thought it was hay fever but after reading this I’m now wondering...?! How many tests are you ‘allowed’?

[Incrediblytired]

Do the tests come back negative if you mess them up? Or inconclusive.

I did a rubbish job of mine and it came back negative by text (within 48 hours) and I wondered if this meant I did the test right and it was negative?

[Myfriendanxiety]

@irisnotadaff there isn’t a limit.

Anyone can book a test. It’s very simple- just click here.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-and-tracing/ask-for-a-test-to-check-if-you-have-coronavirus/

Anyone who has symptoms (or who the Zoe app tells to test) should click here and order one.

[AdalindMeisner]

@Laiste all covid tests are free for suspected cases. It is only the antibody test that you would pay for (to see if you have previously had it).

With regard to reporting I usually do it about lunchtime unless I have woken up feeling not right and would then report then. If later in the day after reporting and I start to feel iffy then I don't re-report - not sure whether that is the right thing or not though.

[WeeMadArthur]

Do you have to self administer or can you go somewhere for a HCP to do it?

[TerrapinStation]

@Laiste

I've just down loaded the app on the back of this thread!

Couple of questions: if Zoe asks you to test does that mean the test is free?

Also when do you all tend to report? 'Cos i feel like shit most mornings - full of snottyness and with a soreish throat. Yesterday i was boiling even thought the house was cool. I was fine then after an hour or so. I tend to feel a bit shitty in the evenings because of tiredness. So on a normal day do i wait till i feel fine and then report? Or report at my worst?

All the tests are free, if anyone asks you to pay surely that must be a scam.

The Zoe app sends everyone for tests for anything you report from what I've heard. Good for research but it puts me off a bit if everyone you have a headache or sniffle you're told to get a test

[Laiste]

@AdalindMeisner - thank you.

So (sorry for all these questions, i am googling but can't find the answer to this) does Zoe asking you to test mean that you are ''suspected'' and therefore qualify to ask the NHS to send you a free test?

I've just had a read through the NHS website about the swab test and it's is saying (in a nut shell) that there is high demand and you might not get one.

To buy one yourself is £125 !!

[Laiste]

x post TerrapinStation, thank you.

I think DH feels the same. He's rolling his eyes at me and telling me i'm going to get us all isolated by this time tomorrow....

[TheBobbinIsWoundUp]

I did a test for the ZOE app (stomach ache seemed to trigger it asking me to do one). Symptoms on Wednesday, email on Thursday asking me to book a test, home test arrived on Saturday, did it Sunday evening and courier appeared on Monday morning to get it.

So far, so efficient. Courier tracking showed it arrived at the test centre, but I’ve chased three times and still no result well over two weeks later. I’ve given up now.

[justanotherneighinparadise]

Don’t they want you to self isolate whilst the test is analysed? That’s what put me off as the likelihood of having it is so minute due to hardly ever going out.

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

I had the Zoe app but deleted it as I'll be coughing And sneezing from March to September with hayfever, I get headaches with my period and I've got a knackered digestive system so I've often got stomach ache! Surely it'll keep telling me to have a test? I don't want anything shoved up my nose unless I absolutely have to!

Regarding the test, do you get the choice of a home test or going to a centre? I really don't think I could do it properly myself.

[Bellie99]

I was asked by Zoe to test on Monday this week - had had mild ear ache on and off for for 6 days and I logged it.
I booked the test on Tuesday (1875 slots available). Was a self administered one. Results on Wednesday were negative but as ear ache has been my only symptom I wasn't surprised.