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Covid

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Original poster

Infections are much higher than we think?

116 replies

Baullocks · 21/12/2020 22:18

So, I know a few people who’ve tested positive -

My colleague and his wife had it so mild it was basically a cold but the wife insisted on getting checked.

A friend only got checked because her daughter was positive, all she had was a headache.

Then there are my daughters who’s symptoms are a runny nose and stomach pain, I only tested them as I had a weird hunch. I’ve since spoken to one of my youngests teachers (also a friend) who said she’s concerned as several children complained of stomach pain last week and loads had runny noses, you just wouldn’t think to test them.

Basically none of these warranted a test, none of them had any of the 3 main symptoms.

Having seen this first hand it’s nothing like what they’re saying, for my kids this has been a bad stomach bug, not a respiratory infection at all.

I can’t help thinking that there are thousands if not millions more with this in the uk and that the numbers are completely wrong.

They really need to change the testing requirements urgently to get a better idea of who is and isn’t infected, I just don’t think anyone’s bothering because they think it’s something else.

And no I’m not scare mongering I don’t care for all that rubbish, I’m just shocked how much the symptoms are veering from the guidelines.

OP posts:

DonkeyMcFluff · 21/12/2020 22:22

A relative of mine had shingles. Went to the doctor and tested positive for Covid. The doctor theorised that fighting Covid lowered his immune system enough for the shingles to flare up. Apparently this is becoming quite common and cases of shingles have increased massively.

Kitcat122 · 21/12/2020 22:22

I agree it's a scary thought especially working in a school.

MadameBlobby · 21/12/2020 22:22

I think they’ve always thought numbers are actually far higher than positive tests. It’s definitely concerning

Hapixmas · 21/12/2020 22:22

It is because the government haven't supplied enough tests / lab testing. They need to sort it out. They've had plenty of time to sort this out by now.

eurochick · 21/12/2020 22:24

This is why there is the ONS survey testing in addition to testing symptomatic people - to see how widespread it is in the general population.

PandemicPavolova · 21/12/2020 22:25

Op yes, we're out of step on symptoms yes and testing.

When on sure I had, it began as a gastric thing.

Chosennonesneakymincepie · 21/12/2020 22:26

In my DD school there have been 2 cases officially! Both asymptomatic. One tested during a routine hospital visit. One was tested as other members of the family had it.
I also know of 2 asymptomatic 50 year olds who only tested due to very close contact whilst caring. None of these had any symptoms!

Whirlwind14 · 21/12/2020 22:28

This is worrying and pretty much reflects what I’ve been hearing this week. Everyone I know who’s had a test had pretty much had to lie on the form. None of the three symptoms- either sore throat, tummy issues or headache.
For every person that is getting tested without the classic symptoms just think how many aren’t....

Northernbeachbum · 21/12/2020 22:32

I cant decide if that's worrying or actually a good thing that maybe its becoming milder so people aren't even recognising it?!

OpheliasCrayon · 21/12/2020 22:32

Depends what you think
I've always been very sure the the numbers are vastly higher that those they know about

I teach SEN, it tore through our entire entire in a week ... It's everywhere and has been for a bloody long time

JamesMoriarty · 21/12/2020 22:34

I've had a bad headache for about 3 days, I thought I needed stronger glasses now I'm thinking what if...

NK346f2849X127d8bca260 · 21/12/2020 22:36

My teen DS had Covid end of March, four days later i had slight upset stomach, headache and sore throat, i do wonder if it was Covid.

My adult daughter was given an antibody test several weeks ago as she is a care worker and that result was positive. She is still working out when she had Covid as the only time she had been sick in the previous few months was a two day headache that she put down to migraine.

PinkPiranha11 · 21/12/2020 22:37

We were skiing in Austria in Feb 2020 (when it was pretty much still only a “thing” in China - apparently) and I swear the hotel was bloody rife with it. All sorts of guests saying they just felt off, had a cough, a tummy bug, a temperature. Looking back now, I think many of them were possibly covid.

Original poster

Baullocks · 21/12/2020 22:38

@Northernbeachbum

I cant decide if that's worrying or actually a good thing that maybe its becoming milder so people aren't even recognising it?!

It’s a hard one, I suppose it’s reassuring in someways but at the same time, if this new strain is more contagious it means it’s just going to spread like bloody wildfire and half the people who have it won’t even know.

I feel like I can’t get any more terrified of it than I am right this second as it’s in my home, it is a worrying thought though. I am scared for the schools going back.

OP posts:

2020out · 21/12/2020 22:39

This is well known.

Actual infections are thought to be 3x as high as positive tests, as 2/3 of people with the virus have no symptoms or mild symptoms.

It's no new reason to worry as it has been known about for a long while.

FuckOffBorisYouTwat · 21/12/2020 22:40

Of course the numbers are wrong. We have picked some of the symptoms but we know it is asymptomatic in much of the population and then completely different symptoms for other people.

KitKatastrophe · 21/12/2020 22:41

It's quite common knowledge that a large proportion of people are asymptomatic or have very mild symptoms. The actual number of cases doesn't really matter, its the rate of increase or decrease and the state of the hospitals in conjunction with case numbers. Mass testing reveals more cases than just testing those who are symptomatic, but they dont change policy based on mass testing as those asymptomatic cases should already be assumed.

Northernbeachbum · 21/12/2020 22:42

I guess the issue is at the moment if you get any symptom it could be covid it seens, I dont know how they can change the advise without it being "if you dont feel 100% get tested" - although maybe that's actually what it needs to be!

Waxonwaxoff0 · 21/12/2020 22:42

I find it reassuring more than worrying!

FoodDrive · 21/12/2020 22:43

But all this isn’t new really - there’s always been a lot of asymptomatic people. Especially kids which is one of the reasons why teachers have been so concerned. The 3 symptoms for testing have always been silly and out of synch with other countries. Are people really only starting to realise this now?

NattyDiamondDoll · 21/12/2020 22:45

Tested as was due to have surgery.. Positive with no symptoms at all so far (four days post test).

TheoriginalLEM · 21/12/2020 22:46

Totally agree OP we are in tier 4 and bith DP and myself are positive, im number 7 at work. All symptoms range from feeling 'bunged up' , nausea and bad headaches. Cough seemed to follow on.

Because of this, the person i think i caught it from was at work for two days with symptoms, she only tested as another member of staff tested positive so she was spreading covid because the symptoms didnt match.

ConfusedcomMum · 21/12/2020 22:47

JamesMoriarty

I've had a bad headache for about 3 days, I thought I needed stronger glasses now I'm thinking what if...

This is how Covid started off for me last week but I would describe it as a severe tension headache (Like an elastic band around my head) and it was painful to look up. A bit of sinus pain too.

Original poster

Baullocks · 21/12/2020 22:48

@FoodDrive

No. Of course I was aware of this before my children got infected. But when you see it firsthand, along with half a dozen other cases none of which relate to the supposed ‘main symptoms’ it does strike a cord. Hence why I’m mentioning it here. Are we only discussing new things on here?

OP posts:

DobbyTheHouseElk · 21/12/2020 22:49

It’s got to be reassuring. If it’s so mild people don’t know they have it, it’s not something to fear.

If people are mask wearing and distancing it should spend less. Don’t they think a symptomatic people don’t transmit as much as previously thought?

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