Scared of the test

[BigCrimboCorona]

I know this is really silly but I'm absolutely terrified at the thought of getting the test.

I've seen one video where it looks like the swab goes right up the nose and tickles the brain and the one at the back of the throat surely makes you gag? I don't know how so many people have willingly gone through this? Surely the nose one hurts and the throat one I just know I'd end up gagging and wet myself

I had to test at home as part of the voluntary thing the government did a while back and I couldn't get the stick up my nose very far or right to the back of my throat... there's no way, can you really say you did the test accurately yourself?

I don't see myself ever going to get tested or letting my kids go through it

No advice but I'm the same....... I'd panic if I had to have the nose test!

Honestly, it’s fine. It’s not very pleasant, but it wasn’t painful either. The throat one does make you gag, but pretty much everyone gags.

The nose one is much better than you expect.

The throat one does make you gag but if doing it on yourself, you just have a poke, remove when you gag, have another poke, repeat until you think you’ve done enough.

It’s all over within a very short time and well worth the effort.

I had the test when I went into hospital to have my son. The midwife said if you gag it’s been done properly. It literally takes seconds, it’s nothing to fear.

I was scared too - especially at the thought of the nose one. It really is fine though. Yes, the throat one makes you gag and is uncomfortable: like accidentally pushing your toothbrush too far back. The nose one is a breeze - honestly. Tickly.

Get tested weekly at work, its just uncomfortable.

You are in control of it and have to give consent for someone else to administer the test on you. Just do it yourself.

I’ve had 3 done at work.

I did 2 for myself and 1 was done for me. All were the throat swab type.

I far preferred being in control and doing it myself.

All were negative

It's pretty unpleasant, not going to lie. But it's quick, and the discomfort doesn't last. And I can't afford to take 10 days off every time someone in the family gets a cough.

It's just uncomfortable nothing to worry about. I work in the nhs and have had a few it's over and done in seconds

Does the nose one honestly go as far back as it suggests in the YouTube videos? It looks like it goes back and not up.

Opt to do it yourself. It really isn't that bad. Over with in a couple of minutes.

I had one at a drive through testing centre, it made me gag slightly but was fine. The nose bit was a weird sensation but didn't hurt. The lady carrying it out was very careful. DH had to do one for the government study thing and the fuss he made on the throat bit was immense. He does have a very strong gag reflex though. He was fine with the nose bit. I did one on DS aged 4 at a drive through centre and he didn't even flinch, he was fine with both parts.

It's really not bad.

I have to have 3 tests per week at work. This is so we can avoid social distancing, which would make our jobs extremely difficult.

The first time I had the nose swab, it was pretty painful. But that was mainly because I didn't really know how it would feel. The second time I was prepared, it's just uncomfortable for a few seconds but I remembered to take a deep breath beforehand.

The throat swab is fine. Yes, you always get the gagging reflex (we were actually told by the doctors gagging is the indication you've done it correctly). But it's your body's reaction, not pain as such.

Honestly, it's the first test that hurts, scares you and makes you uncomfortable. Just because it's the unknown!

I prefer doing the throat one myself now, you look in the mirror and feel in control. Nose swab I get the doctor to take it, it's so much quicker.

It's not pleasant but it's over and done with very quickly.

Does the nose one honestly go as far back as it suggests in the YouTube videos?

Yes it does go that far back, I found this one worse than the throat swab but honestly you're done and dusted in seconds.

I couldn’t even feel the throat one and the nose one kind of felt like I had ants in my nose and couldn’t itch it, for about ten seconds in total. It’s uncomfortable. I wouldn’t even go so far as to say it’s actively unpleasant.

Didn't even noticed the throat one
Nose one I'm fine if I do it myself. Uncomfortable and made me sneeze

The throat one made me gag but the nose one was fine, it just tickled

I thought the throat one was easy but worried I didnt do the nose one properly as it didn't go that far at all, but still hit something. But I went up.

Does the nose one honestly go as far back as it suggests in the YouTube videos?

Yes it does, and it stays up there for a few seconds while they turn it around (sorry TMI). That's why it can hurt a little.

OP if you have a low pain threshold, I recommend taking some painkillers 30 mins before the test. It'll numb the feeling a bit. Deep breath before the swab goes in and try counting to 10 or something... it'll be over quickly.

Really?? I hope you're joking that you think the nose swab 'tickles' your brain?

Seriously, if you need a test just woman up and get it done.

It doesn't touch your brain! I've done one myself and had one done by the doctor. It only takes a few seconds.

I'd say at worst it's a similar level of pain as a blood test, and far less painful than a tooth extraction. I wouldn't do one for fun, but would do it with no qualms if needed.

I found the throat one hard because I gagged the instant it touched my throat. Nose one was a breeze - like having a very satisfying nose pick with a very slender finger

It takes seconds.
Have you never had any form of medical procedure? A smear? Have you given birth?? Had an immunisation? Had an IV? Anything?