How do we know if we have it?

[tiredtiredtiredd]

Sorry if there's any more threads on this, I've searched but can't see any that answers my question.

I'm in Scotland.

Tests aren't available now unless you meet a special criteria.

How are we supposed to know if we have covid? If there are no tests available?

Do we just assume it is covid?

[Greenbks]

That’s a good question and one I’m interested in too! Helpful bump in

[AKnitterofThings]

If you are ill, you are ill, it doesn’t matter what it is called. If you are unwell you know what to do. The current omnicron has a low viral load and doesn’t even show up on testing with some people anyway.

[Arenanewbie]

I also wondered about it. We’ve still got one pack of tests (spring leftovers) but cold is our family favourite pastime.

[mattressspring]

Tests are available in every supermarket and chemist.

[Pootle40]

You don't?

[Catch21]

In England you can get tests if you want them - you just have to pay. Isn't Scotland the same?

[dementedpixie]

You can buy tests in shops and chemists if you wanted to test. I still have a stock from when ds was bringing them home from school

[tiredtiredtiredd]

I wasn't aware they were being sold in shops so thanks for the info.

I know many people saying if you are ill you are ill but I would like to know if it was covid or not. Just for my own knowledge.

[MissMaple82]

@tiredtiredtiredd

I wasn't aware they were being sold in shops so thanks for the info.

I know many people saying if you are ill you are ill but I would like to know if it was covid or not. Just for my own knowledge.

Why though? What relevance is it?

[Mindymomo]

As a family of 4 adults, we sad we wouldn’t test unless we had symptoms. 2 weeks ago, DS1 went to work where they had a visitor clearly ill, coughing and sneezing saying it’s not covid, then texting next day to say he does have covid. My DS1 says I better do tests for 2 days, fortunately he didn’t catch it. DS2 has had an outbreak at his work, over half the staff off, I said are you going to test, he says no, unless I have symptoms. Went into his room and I saw 2 tests, negative, but it shows people still want to know if they’ve got it. Both places where DS’s work have not updated their rules.

[Monday55]

You can buy antigen rapid tests on Boots website for £2 a test & you can get them home delivered.

[AllThatFancyPaintsAsFair]

@tiredtiredtiredd

I wasn't aware they were being sold in shops so thanks for the info.

I know many people saying if you are ill you are ill but I would like to know if it was covid or not. Just for my own knowledge.

If you havemt seen them maybe they don't have them in Scottish shops, there are all over in England so would be hard not to know

[Tulipomania]

Why though? What relevance is it?

Because some of us may still wish to be responsible and take measures not to pass it on to others who may be more vulnerable.

Tests cost £2 each and are widely available in chemists in England. Or online. Can't imagine it's very different in Scotland.

[dementedpixie]

@AllThatFancyPaintsAsFair

If you havemt seen them maybe they don't have them in Scottish shops, there are all over in England so would be hard not to know

They do sell them in Scotland.

[mattressspring]

If you havemt seen them maybe they don't have them in Scottish shops,

As I said upthread, all the supermarkets (big ones anyway) and all of the chemists. If OP hasn't seen them it's because OP hasn't looked for them. I haven't seen a pregnancy test for dale for years. I know I could get one in Tesco or the chemist though. Just because you don't see something doesn't mean it's not there, simply you have not looked for it.

[AllThatFancyPaintsAsFair]

@mattressspring

If you havemt seen them maybe they don't have them in Scottish shops,

As I said upthread, all the supermarkets (big ones anyway) and all of the chemists. If OP hasn't seen them it's because OP hasn't looked for them. I haven't seen a pregnancy test for dale for years. I know I could get one in Tesco or the chemist though. Just because you don't see something doesn't mean it's not there, simply you have not looked for it.

You don't shop in my local tesco, you couldn't miss the large end of aisle stands they had when they first started selling them 😂

[Scianel]

Because some of us may still wish to be responsible and take measures not to pass it on to others who may be more vulnerable

If you have symptoms of a respiratory infection you should be taking such measures regardless surely.

[firef1y]

@mattressspring

Tests are available in every supermarket and chemist.

Not here they're not.
Very small town, one pharmacy, constantly out of stock (when they're even open, seems we're very low priority when it comes to pharmacists).
Nearest town with them in stock is a 40min bus journey away, a journey that costs almost £10 return.

[mattressspring]

Not here they're not.
Very small town, one pharmacy, constantly out of stock (when they're even open, seems we're very low priority when it comes to pharmacists).

There is always someone.


Nearest town with them in stock is a 40min bus journey away, a journey that costs almost £10 return.

Ah, ok, so you do know they sell them then, which was really my point.

If OP doesn't have them in her small town pharmacy but knows they are sold in Scotland they would haven it needed to post.

[BIWI]

You can buy them in Boots

... and yes, that includes Scotland.

[Ontopofthesunset]

As other people have said, you can order them online. Boots, Lloyds and various other suppliers do them.

[Aposterhasnoname]

@Tulipomania

Why though? What relevance is it?

Because some of us may still wish to be responsible and take measures not to pass it on to others who may be more vulnerable.

Tests cost £2 each and are widely available in chemists in England. Or online. Can't imagine it's very different in Scotland.

Are you saying that you wouldn’t take precautions against infecting vulnerable people if you were I’ll with something infectious that wasn’t covid!

[Saisong]

We're just coming into cold season, so I feel this is going to become a popular topic!
We went camping over the bank holiday and have all come back with a mild snotty cold. First thought was of course covid, but we have all tested negative. This is probably our first cold in almost 2 years, so it feels odd, even though previously we would never even have remarked on it.

Question is do we all keep testing at every little symptom?

[Mybeautifulfriend22]

@AKnitterofThings

If you are ill, you are ill, it doesn’t matter what it is called. If you are unwell you know what to do. The current omnicron has a low viral load and doesn’t even show up on testing with some people anyway.

Mine showed up for 12 bloody days! my partners also showed up quickly. Most people I know at work have had positive LFTs show up eventually after symptoms

NHS Healthcare worker so can still get tests and still not to go to work positive. Although no covid leave just normal sickness policy.

[firef1y]

@Mybeautifulfriend22

Mine showed up for 12 bloody days! my partners also showed up quickly. Most people I know at work have had positive LFTs show up eventually after symptoms

NHS Healthcare worker so can still get tests and still not to go to work positive. Although no covid leave just normal sickness policy.

And yet I didn't get a positive at all, not before symptoms, not with symptoms. I'm pretty sure I had it though, considering that both my partner and son had positive tests. Plus I had the most god-awful taste in mu mouth for weeks along with the cold symptoms (and the strange few days without hayfever)