Been ill for 2 weeks, not sure if coronavirus

[PhilSwagielka]

I'm going to crosspost something I wrote from another place. Basically, since 29th June (so just over 2 weeks), I've had problems with breathing and my chest hurts, especially when I take deep breaths or play my trumpet/tuba (I'm unable to practice either right now, which is a good thing for my neighbours) and I've also got a bit of a cough. And while I've had chest infections in the past, I've never had anything like this.

^The past two weeks have not been fun.

• Two weeks ago, I rang 111 and they gave me a number to ring if my symptoms - breathlessness, chest pain and a cough - got worse. I got an emergency appointment with the GP the following day and he did an oxygen saturation test on me to rule a couple of things out, I forget what. All clear.
• The following day, I did a COVID test. It came back negative. The symptoms persisted so on Friday I rang 111 and paramedics came over to have a look at me. They spoke to a doctor who said I had to go to a testing centre, and the nearest to me is Man City's ground but as I don't drive, I had to go to Oldham. I was given the impression I'd have someone do the test for me. In reality, it was a tent and I got given a test kit and had to do it myself. It came back negative at the weekend. Symptoms still ongoing.
• On Monday I thought 'fuck this' and went the local A&E. Had bloods, chest x-ray and ECG. All clear. Doctors said it was most likely viral, and thought it might be COVID but did not confirm. I mentioned I'd tested negative twice but they said tests aren't always accurate.
• I isolated for a week as directed. Nothing has changed. If anything, my chest is worse, which I suspect is because I am a twat and tried to assemble this new crosstrainer-cum-bike I'd ordered, and I am 1) shit at DIY and 2) have fibromyalgia and getting the fucker out of the box was bad enough. It hurt my back.

I'm going to ring 111 again tomorrow. It is doing my fucking head in not knowing if I have COVID or not. Maybe it's seasonal asthma or something but the doctors didn't think it was likely.^

Is it worth calling 111 again? They did say to get in touch with my GP if I still had the symptoms after a week.

You have a cold. Not all viruses are COVID-19. You're not poorly enough to go to A&E. You have a virus. You've been checked for corona, it was negative. You've had sats, ecg etc. All clear. What do you expect?

@pontypridd

Reading this thread and another where OP says they have an all over body rash and in bed not knowing what is going on ... but have tested negative.

Mumsnet seems to be ahead of the news, I've noticed.

I wonder whether the next thing will be that tests are no longer able to pick up whether a person has the virus?

TBF the high false negative rate on the test was reported at the start of the year. About 30% of cases will test negative, sometimes repeatedly. But generally, if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck...

FWIW if you are having problems breathing, A&E is a valid choice. Especially if you can’t get seen elsewhere. I’m not quite sure what else the OP was supposed to do.

@epythymy Where did I say all viruses were COVID? And I've had plenty of colds but not like this. You have no idea how I'm feeling so don't assume I'm just a stupid bitch panicking over a little sniffle. I wouldn't go the hospital over a cold. Normally when I get a cold I just ride it out like anyone else. I've never had a cold with these symptoms.

@girlofthenorth Yeah, I think they did check for blood clots but there wasn't one, luckily. No-one's mentioned antibiotics as yet but I assume if it's a respiratory infection, that's probably what I'll get, that or steroids.

Btw I hope people don't think I'm lying about it, because it is not in my interests to lie.