Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Will a cotton bud do?

15 replies

egglette · 13/12/2021 12:07

The latest joy - can't get a LFT for love nor money. We have one full pack left at home but it came without swabs. Can we use a cotton bud? DH feeling awful but none of the official symptoms.

OP posts:
Cookerhood · 13/12/2021 12:08

In reality it would probably be OK but it's unlikely to be sterile.

titchy · 13/12/2021 12:09

Don't see why not. Give spend longer putting the cotton bud in the solution and really squeeze it out as cotton buds are prob more absorbent.

ApolloandDaphne · 13/12/2021 12:10

Why cant you get them? If you order online they normally come the next day. Can it wait until then?

Coughee · 13/12/2021 12:11

I wouldn't. If you're worried enough by his symptoms (official or not) that you think it may be covid i think you should just do it properly and get a pcr

MrsMcCluskeysCat · 13/12/2021 12:12

@ApolloandDaphne

Why cant you get them? If you order online they normally come the next day. Can it wait until then?
There is no online stock
Frazzled2207 · 13/12/2021 12:12

@ApolloandDaphne

Why cant you get them? If you order online they normally come the next day. Can it wait until then?
The government website says none available
Original poster
egglette · 13/12/2021 12:15

Thanks all! Will give it a go - putting it in for longer and giving a good squeeze sounds sensible. @ApolloandDaphne the website has been showing no stock all day and the BBC are now reporting it. Tried a couple of pharmacies but no stock.

OP posts:
ApolloandDaphne · 13/12/2021 12:27

Ah ok. I didn't realise that.

Sandsnake · 13/12/2021 12:28

How frustrating for you. Not helpful for you at all but they were giving away as many as they possibly could in our town centre today. Wonder if it’s a local supply issue?

HosannainExcelSheets · 13/12/2021 12:44

You'll struggle to get a good sample on a cotton bud. It's unlikely to reach fat enough to get the back of the internal nose area that you need to get the sample from. And the cotton wool won't release the sample into the buffer properly.

See if a neighbor has leftover swabs?

Coronachristmas21 · 13/12/2021 12:45

@ApolloandDaphne

Why cant you get them? If you order online they normally come the next day. Can it wait until then?
There's a shortage apparently and she says she has some but without swabs!
user1491404899 · 13/12/2021 13:02

Won't work and you'll waste a test....just book pcr

Rainbows246 · 13/12/2021 13:06

If he feels Ill I would just go out and get a pcr test.

SantaHat · 13/12/2021 13:12

No. book a pcr?

RainbowBabyForChristmasPlease · 13/12/2021 14:57

I used one. Worked fine for me

New posts on this thread. Refresh page