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Covid

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Anyone using the Zoe app and has been asked to test?

12 replies

GlomOfNit · 18/10/2020 20:37

I've been using the app for months because I liked the idea of helping with the research (I don't always remember to do it daily!) and the first thing you're asked is to select either 'I feel fine' or 'I don't feel entirely myself'. You're meant to be (obviously) absolutely honest and even if you think you just have a cold or something like that, you report how you're feeling. If you pick the option 'I don't feel entirely myself' then you're asked about several possible symptoms, your temperature, etc.

A few days ago I ticked boxes saying I felt a bit nauseous and dizzy. I think I'm having an IBS attack and possibly endometriosis too (bloating and constipation bringing on the nausea). The next day, the Zoe App people had emailed me, asking me to take a swab test because they were interested in tracking particular symptoms to see if they panned out into a positive diagnosis, even though they're clearly not among the three main symptoms we are told to watch for.

So I did - I ordered a swab test and have done this at home and posted off. Still waiting for results but I only posted it Friday afternoon.

What I'm wondering is - given that I have none of the 'classic' Covid symptoms and wouldn't have taken a test if I hadn't been asked to for research purposes, should I be isolating until I get the results back? Clearly if I had ordered a test because I was concerned about my symptoms, or if the symptoms I'd ticked in the Zoe app were the 'classic' ones, I'd be isolating - but I'm interested to know whether other people who have done a test because they were asked to for research purposes have isolated.

(No, I haven't been isolating, though I've also hardly been painting the town red either. It seemed fairly obvious at the time that this wasn't asked for. Now I'm wondering.)

OP posts:
BornOnThe4thJuly · 18/10/2020 20:39

I didn’t when I was asked to take a test due to headaches

QueenofLean · 18/10/2020 20:41

No, the guidance says you don’t have to isolate if they’ve asked you to test. They ask for research purposes (to help prove/disprove theories). They asked me to test when I reported a blocked nose, and it was negative.

NiceTwin · 18/10/2020 20:42

I took a test via Zoe but mine was an at home blood test, testing the test if you see what I mean. I also sent blood to St Thomas's to see if the home test gave the same result.
Different circumstances to you but no, I didn't isolate.

PuzzledObserver · 18/10/2020 20:44

I was asked to take one when I reported a sore throat (think I had a slight cold). I went to a mobile centre. (Negative) result within 48 hours.

I didn’t isolate, because I didn’t have any of the classic Covid symptoms, so wasn’t required to.

The research is important, though. It’s because of the research that loss of taste and smell as added to the list of symptoms.

bloodywhitecat · 18/10/2020 20:47

I had a migraine so said I felt unwell, it asked me to test. I didn't.

MiaFarrowsWheelbarrow · 18/10/2020 20:52

Yes, I've been asked to test twice; once for a headache and once for an itchy throat. I didn't bother as I knew the headache was dehydration and the itchy throat from sleeping on my back with my mouth open 😆. I would definitely have a test if I thought my symptoms were Covid related though.

GlomOfNit · 18/10/2020 21:12

Good to know.

I didn't receive any guidance about whether or not to isolate - either with the test (which I think must just be the standard package sent out to anyone who orders a home test) or with the email asking me to test.

OP posts:
shazshaz · 18/10/2020 22:15

Im assuming the email from the Zoe app is the same for everyone. 2nd paragraph down says this "Depending on your symptoms, you should follow the latest government guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection." There is a link which takes you to the government guidance. So you don't have to isolate for a sore throat. Im on my 3rd test now via the app and only isolating this time because Ive had coughing episodes which arrived after my sore throat.

Torvean32 · 19/10/2020 01:39

I think the Zoe app may have run it's course. You have applicants who fill a diary as and when. When advised to test applicants may or may not decide to test.
It doesn't sound the best.

MrsFezziwig · 19/10/2020 01:47

I think the Zoe app may have run it's course. You have applicants who fill a diary as and when. When advised to test applicants may or may not decide to test.
It doesn't sound the best.

What are your reasons for saying this @Torvean32? And what are “applicants?”

80sMum · 19/10/2020 02:25

The possibility of self-isolating never even crossed my mind when I had my test in August. But even if it had, it wouldn't have been for long because I received the results by email 14 hours after I'd done the test.

Dillydallyingthrough · 19/10/2020 02:39

I'm sure the email says you don't have to unless you had the 'classic' symptoms. DNeice had a bad stomach (not linked to periods) with bouts of diarrhoea and a headache that although got better after paracetamol didn't completely shift. Dsis was sure it was stress related as she was having issues at school (and she has had similar symptoms in the past). She tested positive. I'm sure I've seen something since about diarrhoea being a symptom in children. Although they didn't choose to isolate they(luckily) did as the weather was shit so had a low-key weekend at home. We were all really surprised at the result. They will be using the data to prove or disprove theories, so it's still important to do the test even if you think you know what is causing the symptoms.

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