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Original poster

Is this really a big deal? (For those who have done a home test)

16 replies

Spacemonkey2016 · 19/10/2020 19:12

3 year old has a very heavy cold, cough and a temp of 38.5, so I ordered a home test. Was stressful all round getting the test done and he was very upset. While trying to comfort him and my teething baby, I put the vial with the swab directly in the coded plastic bag, not in the extra plastic jiffy bag and then in the coded plastic bag. Didn't realise my error until throwing the instructions away.

Is that even a big deal? I can't see how it would be, but my partner is convinced they'll void the test and result will be inconclusive.

Aware this makes me sound like an idiot, but I'm going to worry now!

OP posts:
GirlCalledJames · 19/10/2020 19:23

It sounds like the person opening it might then accidentally handle it, so your partner might be right.

OpheliasCrayon · 19/10/2020 20:58

When you drive through test, they make you do the bags correctly and watch you to do it. I think it's so stuff doesn't get handled if it's potentially contaminated. It's the one bit of the test they insist on watching (rightly so). Your partner may well be right I'm afraid.

MyPersona · 19/10/2020 21:49

I was told that the tube goes into the smaller bag with the absorbent pad so that if it gets broken they still have a chance of getting a result as the liquid will be absorbed.

Hopeisathingwithfeathers · 19/10/2020 22:06

I did one wrong and they still processed it.

Cornettoninja · 19/10/2020 22:18

I got the bags mixed up on a home test and it still got processed, nobody observed us at a test centre for a test on another occasion either.

Wait and see whether you get a result back or not. Have you any idea how long they’re taking in your area?

DebbieFiderer · 19/10/2020 23:10

I did exactly the same and they still processed it

Original poster
Spacemonkey2016 · 20/10/2020 06:07

Ahh, thanks everyone! I guess I'll just wait and see. I'm in Essex but have no idea how they're taking to process. Glad I wasn't the only one who did it!

OP posts:
Cornettoninja · 20/10/2020 06:36

@Spacemonkey2016 I’m near the stansted testing centre and both of my tests have been within 48 hours (one last week) if that helps to give you a rough idea Smile

MaidenMotherCrone · 20/10/2020 06:54

It's double bagged as it's a bio hazard and a Royal Mail/courier requirement. If the vial doesn't leak it will be fine for testing at the lab.

OpheliasCrayon · 20/10/2020 08:58

@Spacemonkey2016

Ahh, thanks everyone! I guess I'll just wait and see. I'm in Essex but have no idea how they're taking to process. Glad I wasn't the only one who did it!
Im in Essex - which is where they are watching you seal the bags up in the right order.

I hope you do get results obviously! But I would maybe order some more as I'm not sure you will....

pickingupnow · 20/10/2020 09:15

I'd be more concerned you put your child through the stress of the test when he clearly has a typical winter cold.

OpheliasCrayon · 20/10/2020 09:25

@pickingupnow

I'd be more concerned you put your child through the stress of the test when he clearly has a typical winter cold.
Because he had a raised temp so that warrants a test.

Perhaps her child is now missing nursery and if OP hasn't got a negative test result he can't go back for two weeks. And the whole family are stuck at home for two weeks.

I can't understand why you think OP wouldn't test?

Ok if the whole family have no where to go for the next 14 days and wouldn't be affected by isolating then maybe not . But I don't think that's a likely scenario

Splodgetastic · 20/10/2020 09:30

I feel sorry for small children having a test. My DF had to do an ONS test yesterday and he said he doesn’t think many people will do it properly. He is not prone to dramatising but he said he was nearly sick twice and was sneezing his head off.

Original poster
Spacemonkey2016 · 20/10/2020 09:37

@pickingupnow

I'd be more concerned you put your child through the stress of the test when he clearly has a typical winter cold.
I mean, yeah he likely has just got a childhood bug. But he's also got a constant, new cough, and has had a temperature over 38 since Saturday evening. It's now Tuesday. I thought we were supposed to follow guidelines and not brush is off as 'just a cold'. Does he have a cough? Yes. Does he have a temperature? Yes. He goes to nursery, so if he did have covid, I need to know, incase he has passed it on to the rest of his class last week. Trust me, I wouldn't put my son through anything if I didn't have to. I'm quote fond of him (shock horror).

Stupid comment to be honest. Why is Mumsnet so unnecessarily confrontational?

OP posts:
Original poster
Spacemonkey2016 · 20/10/2020 19:20

Reporting back in case anyone does a similar thing: the result did indeee come back fine, so must have made it in one piece.

OP posts:
OpheliasCrayon · 20/10/2020 19:22

@Spacemonkey2016

Reporting back in case anyone does a similar thing: the result did indeee come back fine, so must have made it in one piece.
Great to know! The number of potential fuck ups always worries me because I just want isolation to end asap. (As I'm sure we all do !)
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