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Original poster

Doing the test is vile so no wonder LFTs have such a high inaccuracy rate.

69 replies

worktrip · 22/07/2021 10:38

Got handed a box of tests in town yesterday and have just attempted to do the test. I was gagging at the tonsil one and could no way get over 2cm into my nose let alone twist 10 times. I tried but seriously found it impossible/difficult.

Waiting the result (I feel fine) but really wondering does it get better or is there a trick to it?

I'll do it again in a few days as I was in close proximity to around 100 kids on a school trip (indoors) yesterday. Not looking forward to it. ☹️

OP posts:
sol7 · 22/07/2021 11:24

They apparently are very effective at picking up the delta variant. DC won't let me do them and insists on doing it herself and it came up positive after what looked like barely tickling her nostrils so you probably don't need to go that high up the nose.

I have been doing them for months with work and still gag every time I do the tonsils.

musicalfrog · 22/07/2021 11:24

Is it really necessary for you to do them? I only do PCR tests now and only when I have a specific reason to. LFTs are optional in most cases.

megletthesecond · 22/07/2021 11:30

I find they get easier. Even my dc's aren't making a fuss now.

Ludovici · 22/07/2021 11:32

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everythingthelighttouches · 22/07/2021 13:21

It gets a lot easier.

My tip is to do a deep breath in as you swab your tonsils.

Your tongue naturally depresses and there’s a lot more space in your mouth/throat. You can get at your tonsils without touching your tongue then.

< or I just have a massive gob! >

colourchanginglipstick · 22/07/2021 13:27

we haven't needed to do them but am a bit anxious if we ever do since both DD and I get nosebleeds easily - has anyone found they've set one off?

HesterShaw1 · 22/07/2021 13:35

Concern about single use plastic is SO 2019.

VienneseWhirligig · 22/07/2021 13:39

I don't even have any tonsils, I find it so hard to know where to swab Grin

IsItShining · 22/07/2021 13:42

@everythingthelighttouches

It gets a lot easier.

My tip is to do a deep breath in as you swab your tonsils.

Your tongue naturally depresses and there’s a lot more space in your mouth/throat. You can get at your tonsils without touching your tongue then.

< or I just have a massive gob! >

Wonder if this would work on DS?

I confidently said, 'Tut, let me have a go!' after he said he couldn't see past his tongue to the back of his throat at all. Looked in with torch, could see nothing but tongue even when he said aaaaah, gave up, and he used his nostrils instead.

TheSockMonster · 22/07/2021 13:42

@choirmumoftwo

The instructions with my tests say 1cm into the nose.
How strange, I could have sworn ours just said “until you meet resistance”, but I’ve just checked and it actually says “until you meet resistance (about 2.5cm)”.

The DC and I had been doing it until we felt resistance (about half the bloody swab!!) No wonder we’ve all been hating them so much!

I must go and apologise to the DC now… Blush

Gardentiger · 22/07/2021 13:43

@colourchanginglipstick

we haven't needed to do them but am a bit anxious if we ever do since both DD and I get nosebleeds easily - has anyone found they've set one off?
I'm very prone to nosebleeds, but realised I tend to get nosebleeds on a specific nostril so have just been swabbing only the other nostril. I do tend to have a sneezing fit after doing it though.
TheSockMonster · 22/07/2021 13:43

Latest version. I wonder how many times it’s been updated and we haven’t noticed!

Doing the test is vile so no wonder LFTs have such a high inaccuracy rate.
NeedWineNow · 22/07/2021 14:02

The ones we have for work are nostril only. Not sure how I'd get on with the tonsil one!

The first time I did the nostril test I found it quite painful, but I don't think about it now.

AbsolutelyPatsy · 22/07/2021 14:04

my lfts are nostrils only,

AbsolutelyPatsy · 22/07/2021 14:05

for work lfts

GreenGordon · 22/07/2021 14:14

Recently been in hospital (not COVID related) but had to have tests every 2 days. Nose bleed every time. Horrible experience and never got used to it.

PicsInRed · 22/07/2021 14:17

When you think about size differential, 2cm will be about right for a man, but too much for the usually smaller woman (or child). Once again, medicine based on the male average.

MotherOfGremlins · 22/07/2021 14:25

I'm glad you posted the advice about nostrils - I've been going about 2ft in Blush

Runningquestion · 22/07/2021 15:06

They haven’t got easier for me. I just cannot touch my tonsils with a swab for more than a split second. I have a very sensitive gag reflex and I would vomit. I try to make up for it with the nasal one but that’s horrible too. There has to be an easier test? I’ve heard rumours of a saliva one where you spit in a tube. Surely that would be a far better option and would catch more positives because it would be easier to do?

RuddyHellItsSoftCell · 22/07/2021 15:07

Surely as long as you get the control line you've done it 'right'? Or can you do it not enough for the sample to work but still get the control line?

Rainbowsandstorms · 22/07/2021 15:26

They get so much easier. I barely register when I do my tonsils now. They get much quicker and easier in time.

BonnyandPoppy · 22/07/2021 15:35

We have a saliva one at work but it's a PCR test and results take a day or two.

Souther · 22/07/2021 15:38

The instructions with our LFT just ask for a nose swab and not a throat one

4PawsGood · 22/07/2021 15:38

Why would LFTs have a lower accuracy rate than PCRs? The method is identical.

4PawsGood · 22/07/2021 15:40

@4PawsGood

Why would LFTs have a lower accuracy rate than PCRs? The method is identical.
I mean, if it was down to them being hard to administer.
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