What’s the test like?

[RemyHadley]

I have a cough so could go and get the covid test, but don’t know what it’s like. I have a severe dental phobia and am worried about them taking a swab of my throat.
Can anybody tell me what it’s actually like please?

I’m staying in quarantine anyway so getting the test would just be for certainty.

My 11 year old DS had one at the weekend - he's quite fussy with medical procedures but was absolutely fine. He did say the nasal swab was a bit uncomfortable, but didn't even flinch when I did the throat swab. I was quite surprised to be honest as I thought that would be the worst bit.

In total, both swabs were done in less than a minute. All the admin and bagging it up took up most of the time. Good luck, I hope it goes smoothly and quickly for you.

I’ve had two and carry them out regularly at work. Sometimes gag a bit on throat swab and eyes water for nasal swab. It’s really not that bad however

Hmmm. If I go to one of those drive through places will they actually do the test? Or give it to me to do?

I know I’m being silly about this, I have such a severe dental phobia that I have to take sedatives even for a check up, and gag as soon as their tools go towards the back of my throat, so I just want to be as prepared as possible!

It depends on the test centre. Here, if you get a test because of symptoms you do it yourself, if you're having the test because you're going for hospital treatment, they do it for you. (Different test centres for different reasons, and each have their own protocol.)

I've had four, both done myself and done to me. It's not fun but it's fine really. Just make sure to swab for as long as they say so you don't get an inconclusive result.

I had one last week and it really wasn't that bad. It was done for me at the test centre and I've had far worse things done than that.

Is your dental phobia due to fear of being hurt? Because if so, the test didn't hurt me in any way.

Like pp said slight instinct to gag but you can just about stop.it. it's really quick and once it's over it's very like, oh was that it?

It’s not even a fear of being hurt tbh, it’s just a totally irrational terror of things being at the back of my mouth.

Thanks all.

Test centre near here you can choose whether to go it yourself. I'm assuming you are okay with putting things in your own mouth, for example brushing your own teeth, so you might find doing it yourself is best. If that seems impossible when you get there you could do both nostrils, like they do for toddlers - not as accurate but if you are going to isolate anyway it isn't as important.

Ah so there’s an option to just do it in my nose? That would be much much better. I have medical proof of severe phobia so maybe they’d agree? I might try calling the local centre to see.

(And I do brush my own teeth but have a special extra small brush I use for the back teeth!)

I have had my 7th 1 today, throat makes me gag and the nose makes my eyes water and I sneeze. Work in care so have it done every week.

Can you get a test if you don’t have any symptoms or you don’t work in healthcare, etc? My DD needs to have two documented negative tests 48 hours apart to gain entry to a country abroad for her job.

I’ve had 3
All done by NHS staff

The worst was by the midwife before I had my c section
I was in full on tears

The one 2 weeks ago prior to a different operation was just a light tickle and my eyes didn’t even water