I’m sure I’ve got Covid

[DefinitelyNotAHastyNameChange]

But according to LatFlow tests and PCR tests I don’t. I’m not certain I’m doing them properly though - I don’t have tonsils so it’s very difficult to swab the back of my throat and my nose is so blocked that I’m just getting snot on it.

I’ve been feeling like death for about 6 days now - feverish, constant cough, sore throat, loss of taste and smell, my tongue has gone furry and I have ulcers in and around my mouth, headache and loss of appetite. I’m double vacc’d but only had my second one 2 weeks ago.

But the tests are fine. I’ve still been taking dc to school on the days when I haven’t been waiting for tests results and they’re due back at school tomorrow. I have no one else to look after dc and as I’m feeling so rough and tests have been negative sending them to school has been a blessing. It’s been a bloody slog of a weekend, I’ve taken them out but tried to stay away from other people and not gone to busy places.

WWYD? Should I try and find somewhere that will do the PCR test for me? I’m convinced it’s coming back negative as I’m not swabbing it properly. I never get ill and I have pretty much every symptom so it seems pretty unlikely that I don’t have it.

I've been unlucky enough to have hand foot and mouth as an adult. It was AWFUL, the blisters went all down the back of my throat, but I also had it on my hands and feet (as the name suggests).

About 5 years pre-covid I contracted the cold sore virus for the first time and sounds quite similar to what you describe. Not only did I feel knocked out and generally virussy/ill my whole mouth was swollen with ulcers. I couldn't eat for days.

I think a lot of viruses that are more common in childhood can hit us really hard as adults.

I had similar a few weeks ago, 2 negative PCR's for me, DH and DC plus numerous lateral flows. It wasn't covid, one test would have picked it up.

There are a lot of other viruses circulating at the moment.

Hi OP, I can't exactly help, but I had an illness v similar to the one you describe last month, with the addition that I was totally knocked out by it and spent two weeks in and out of bed - which I never do. My husband had the same, at the same time. He tested positive and I didn't, despite taking 2 PCRS and several LFTs. I suggest you keep taking a LFT every day, but be aware that false negatives are surprisingly high, especially if you think you aren't swabbing properly, I'm about 95% sure I had Covid.

Can you do LFTs on the kids?

I should add though that i did not have ulcers or a furry tongue.