Inconclusive test - can I have your opinions please

[Whyismycatanasshat]

On Monday I felt like I was getting a sore throat, which appeared in the evening. Since Tuesday I have had a cough and developed mild chest/sternum pain - the cough and chest pain (like I’m wearing a bra to too tight!) something I have had previously at this time of year and been given inhalers for and checked for Bronchitis.

The cough is short - less than a minute in bursts and I can go hours without coughing.
I have no shortness of breath, not a hint of a temperature, my taste and smell is unaffected. My pulse and pulse ox levels are normal. Not coughing through the night either. A mild headache, which I thought was down to coughing one day.

I rang my GP to enquire about inhalers and the newest locum went a bit over the top in his insistence that I got a covid test. I did as instructed and it came back today as inconclusive.
(He was very cross with me for asking about inhalers in a crisis, maybe I misjudged it.)

I could attend a drive through testing place tomorrow and take another test but wonder if there’s any point? Tomorrow will be day six of the cough.

I should add that it’s just toddler DD and me at home, we’ve not seen a soul since last Saturday so we’re fine in that respect.

Thank you.

I wouldn't bother, but I am relaxed about covid.
You feel ok & it's too much hassle to find out for sure.

If you didn't have bronchitis the last time the GP will have thought you had a summer cold. However if you do have a medical history of having issues then I would politely point it out to the GP - list months and years if you can remember - and ask for the inhalers.

@RedRumTheHorse thanks, I did point out to him that I’d had several years with this at this time of year; hence having a pulse oxmeter in the house - one year I was asked to record readings at set times; but because I did not require treatment last year he was very dismissive and just referred back to covid; despite my symptoms neither worsening or ticking the covid boxes other than a frankly irritating cough and sternum pain which feels very much like what I’ve experienced before!

I think my frustration at him is compounded by the inconclusive result! I was happy to not even consider I’d got covid until he told me to do the test! I’m still 99% sure I’ve not got covid as I’ve not got the fever or anything!

I think you should get the test again. Not just for you but for track and trace purposes. If it’s not, no harm done. If it is they can trace who you may have given it to.

@SisterAgatha good point but having read up, It looks like because I’m on day 6 I can’t get another test.
The only direct contact With anyone me or DD have had is the lads at the supermarket clock and collect 2 weeks ago today!

Two options

1. Do nothing. If you don’t have corona then it won’t matter. If you do have CV, then not knowing will hinder treatment and care and put others at risk.

1. Get a test.

If you got a negative you would be in the same position. If you got a positive you and your gp would be better placed to treat you, now and in the future. You have no idea why complications could arise from even a mild version never mind severe one.

If you still have a bit of a cough then you qualify for a test don't you as there are symptoms?

Quite a large percentage of people don't get a fever with covid.

Get another test regardless of the day six thing

I’ve booked a drive in test; 2 hour round trip but DD and the car will enjoy it!

I know it’s dreadful but I’m Hoping they will swab me so I can rule out user error too!

Just had my second test; very easy; NHS Scotland are the best!

Lovely chap who booked me in for my test said they guessed they had had a lot of positives this weekend as the area is seeing a cross border spike.

Now I wait!

I assume you had to do it yourself?

@NCTDN yes, but supervised through the almost completely closed window and talked through how to do it, one step at a time - I said I’d already done one - but they had someone at the other car that was there too.

I assume it Helps reduce user error.

I certainly felt more confident having someone reiterate the instructions and check that I was bagging it up properly.

NHS Scotland and their teams are doing a grand job.

I had an a NHS Scotland test too yesterday (for similar symptoms). Booked it for a hour later (which was as soon as I could get to the drive through test site, 45 mins from us), test at 7.30pm, results (negative) by text at 6am today. They are doing an amazing job! Hope you feel better soon OP.

@LeveretWalks the quick turn about is good to know - I hope mine is turned around that quickly.
It was a more positive experience than doing it at home that’s for sure!
And DD enjoyed the drive out!

I received a negative test result at 6am this morning.
Very impressed with the speed of it all.

Good news!

The turnaround with the testing now is great! I did a home test on a Friday afternoon (requested by Zoe App for research purposes not a suspected case), posted it in time for last post and got the results at midnight on the Saturday. 33hrs after testing which I thought was fab given the postal and weekend aspect!