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Covid

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Original poster

Covid testing

17 replies

basilinfusedtea · 07/07/2020 17:41

If you test negative for Covid once does that mean you never get it?? Or can you still go on to test positive at a later date? In which case you could get it at any time...?

OP posts:
Ginfilledcats · 07/07/2020 17:46

If you have the covid rest and it's negative it means you currently don't have the virus, but could have previously had it or go on to have it. Or it could be a false negative and you do actually have it (unlikely but not or unheard of).

The covid ANTIBODY rest rests to see if you've had it previously, not to see if you're protected against in the future. If negative you probably haven't had the virus but could go on to get it. If positive you have had the virus but could go on to catch it a second time.

There had no immunity test at present

Hope that helps

lifesalongsong · 07/07/2020 17:48

Do you mean the normal swab test? If so it's like any medical test, it can only tell you if you have it at the time of the test. It can't tell you anything about the future.

lifesalongsong · 07/07/2020 17:50

In which case you could get it at any time...?

Well yes, like a cold or flu or sickness bug there's always the possibility to catch something.

FatherBrownsBicycle · 07/07/2020 17:51

As above.

I know a couple of people who had negative tests (one had 3 negatives) but had positive tests at a later date.

I also know someone who had no symptoms whatsoever but had the antibody test through work and it was positive so they had had Covid 19 but never knew. Terrifying that they were walking around as normal and they could have been spreading it everywhere.

Original poster
basilinfusedtea · 07/07/2020 17:55

What I mean is you can't get like a "I'm Covid free" passport type thing?!

OP posts:
vodkaredbullgirl · 07/07/2020 18:01

You might not have it when you are tested, but may have it another time.

Mustbetimeforachange · 07/07/2020 18:05

I think you are getting confused between antigen & antibody tests. The Brazilian president has just tested positive (antigen) after 3 negative tests - he simply hadn't caught it previously, and has now. In future he's likely to test positive for antibodies.

RuthW · 07/07/2020 18:05

I work for the NHS and we are tested weekly. So far I've always been negative but every week I'm prepared for a positive

Original poster
basilinfusedtea · 07/07/2020 18:06

And if someone you know outside your household is being tested for symptoms do they isolate but do you need to (isolate/test) as well (by association with them)?

OP posts:
NotShiny · 07/07/2020 18:36

I'm really confused by your posts. Have you not been following the news at all. If you test negative that means you were negative at the time of the test. You could however have caught it since, ie you could have caught it on your way home from the test. I'm not sure why you think that means you are covid free for a period of time?

Babs709 · 07/07/2020 18:38

And if someone you know outside your household is being tested for symptoms do they isolate but do you need to (isolate/test) as well (by association with them)?
Someone you have been in close proximity with has symptoms and is having a test but doesn’t know the result yet?

NotShiny · 07/07/2020 18:39

"And if someone you know outside your household is being tested for symptoms do they isolate but do you need to (isolate/test) as well (by association with

You can only get a test if you have symptoms normally. If the person you have been in touch with has symptoms and is being tested, they will be contacted by track and trace. If theh tell track and trace they were with you for longer than 15 mins, you should then be contacted by track and trace. However, you can only be tested if you have symptoms. You should probably self isolate, but track and trace will give you a self isolation certificate to give ti your employer.

SunshineCake · 07/07/2020 18:42

This seems such a ridiculous question I wonder if there is more to it.

lifesalongsong · 07/07/2020 18:49

@NotShiny

I'm really confused by your posts. Have you not been following the news at all. If you test negative that means you were negative at the time of the test. You could however have caught it since, ie you could have caught it on your way home from the test. I'm not sure why you think that means you are covid free for a period of time?
I was thinking the same, how is anyone so unknowing of what to do.

Could you be a bit clearer OP on what your question actaully is?

vodkaredbullgirl · 07/07/2020 18:52

Have they been to a pub at the wkend, just guessing.

NerrSnerr · 07/07/2020 18:55

It sounds like there's a back story to this OP? If you post the actual story of why you need to know people will be able to help.

lymphopenia · 07/07/2020 19:02

There's no such thing as a covid passport. If you've had a positive swab or positive antibody test then there's no evidence you can't get it again. If you're told to isolate it doesn't matter what your circumstances are, you isolate

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