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Original poster

Covid+ swab, no one believes the result?

11 replies

tattooedmummy1 · 19/10/2020 11:50

So I tested positive for covid-19, the swab was taken Wednesday and I got the result Saturday.
I was sent home from work Saturday immediately, but told to reswab in case it's a"false positive ".

I've done the test and trace, and discovered that the severe headaches I've been experiencing since Tuesday are a symptom (I initially assumed they were normal, I can sometimes get headaches) . I have since developed a change to my taste in the past couple days.

Everyone around me is adamant that the positive result is wrong?

The reswab done Saturday (5 days after my headaches started) gave a negative result today. Which my workplace are now convinced means that my initial positive is wrong. And have ordered another retest!

All of my family, friends, DH, and colleagues are all adamant that the positive result is a false positive, and I'm finding it very difficult to speak to anyone when all I get is "well it must be wrong, I'm sure your next swab will be negative". I also have to keep the positive result to myself so as not to panic my MIL (who my husband and I did shopping for 2 days before my headaches started) and so as not to panic my work colleagues.

I'm feeling very alone. And confused.

OP posts:
Comefromaway · 19/10/2020 11:55

They are idiots. You have clear symptoms and tested positive. The second test is either a false negatiev, or (more likely) you may no longer be infectious if your incubation period started earlier.

You should self isolate for 10 days from when your symptoms started.

Comefromaway · 19/10/2020 11:59

Who says you have to keep your positive result to yurself. Are test and trace not contacting your contacts?

Original poster
tattooedmummy1 · 19/10/2020 12:00

We are isolating, myself, DH and DS.

Im just struggling with people's attitudes, being made to feel like I have to keep it to myself and not discuss the symptoms etc. I don't see the point in retesting today either as, like you said, may no longer be infectious?

OP posts:
Ilikewinter · 19/10/2020 12:03

To clarify....you had a test Wednesday and then went back to work...until your received your positive result Saturday - why on earth did you go to work??.

Work forced you to restest on Saturday and now want you to retest again today - where do you work where they can continually order you test after test?

Anyway, even after this you still need to self isolate.

Original poster
tattooedmummy1 · 19/10/2020 12:03

@Comefromaway

Who says you have to keep your positive result to yurself. Are test and trace not contacting your contacts?
They have contacted the necessary people, there were only two people to contact.

Work don't want me discussing it, they are certain that it's a false positive and they will be using the recent negative to reassure staff that it's a false positive. (we all wear ppe so the likelihood of me having passed it on is reduced).

DH doesn't want me to talk about the symptoms bc he doesn't want to panic his mum.

OP posts:
Comefromaway · 19/10/2020 12:04

Were you in close contact with anyone whilst at work? Your workplace are being highly negligent if they are not telling those people to isolate.

Original poster
tattooedmummy1 · 19/10/2020 12:06

@Ilikewinter

To clarify....you had a test Wednesday and then went back to work...until your received your positive result Saturday - why on earth did you go to work??.

Work forced you to restest on Saturday and now want you to retest again today - where do you work where they can continually order you test after test?

Anyway, even after this you still need to self isolate.

We are tested regularly as standard procedure at work, we work in private healthcare and have a policy to follow regarding routine testing. So anyone with symptoms would stay off, but I only had a headache. And I'd only had it for just over a day when I had my routine swab. Obviously if I had had symptoms then I wouldn't have been at work.
OP posts:
Original poster
tattooedmummy1 · 19/10/2020 12:07

@Comefromaway

Were you in close contact with anyone whilst at work? Your workplace are being highly negligent if they are not telling those people to isolate.
A small number of patients, all of whom are now isolated. And one member of staff.
OP posts:
BlindAssassin1 · 19/10/2020 12:11

Like above, I would say that the second test is negative because you're now not infectious, you're out of the time frame, but were when the first one was done, and should treat yourself as such, ie don't go back to work until you feel well.

Why are is your employer being such a dick about it, especially not notifying your immediate colleagues to be vigilant for symptoms? Is it to wiggle out of paying you some sort of different tiered sick pay? Have they been a bit shit altogether with handling CV?

IloveJKRowling · 19/10/2020 12:12

I think we're all fucked if this is the attitude from employers. What's the point of swabbing people if they won't believe a positive? It would be seriously negligent to tell people about the negatives but not the previous positive as some sort of PR exercise. And yes, the rate of false negatives increases very rapidly the further away from the initial infectious phase IIRC.

MiniMaxi · 19/10/2020 12:30

That’s outrageous. I understand not wanting to panic your MIL but sounds like employer just doesn’t want the hassle of having a positive result.

Anyway false pos much less likely than false neg.

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