Thread for people to explain why they test for covid

[Daffntulip]

As some people seem completely flabbergasted as to why anyone would test for covid, thought I'd start a thread to help those posters. If you run short on intelligence or empathy or whatever other reason compels you to ask that question, this is for you.

Bless you for that. Wish more people did that.

Because I have had it several times and each time my partner somehow avoids it, but it means he knows to mask at work (in a hospital) and that we should keep windows open etc, to reduce the risk of him passing it on to anyone vulnerable.

Also because it’s good to know not to ‘push through’ with coffee and painkillers but to take time off and rest to reduce long covid risk, as I had some lingering symptoms and fatigue from my first round.

My dad almost died from covid. As in that the hospital literally told us that he wouldn't survive. He hang on for weeks until he got better. It did mess up his body, he has lower energy , overall strength and health and seems addled sometimes since then.

I'm not going to infect him with covid, he might die or become more disabled next time.

It's bizarre that anyone would be flabbergasted by this. Maybe they think COVID is gone, in which case they are ignorant.

I haven't tested because I have never had any of the symptoms, not even the symptoms of a cold. That's likely because I continue to mask and do social distancing as much as possible due to being immunocompromised.
If I ever had symptoms I would certainly test.

I get funny looks from people for my mask all the time when I'm out doing the shopping. It's a good way of finding out who the assholes are, though. Then there are the people who insist on standing much too close to me, forcing me to move away. The mask is the equivalent of a "keep away" sign, but they don't care.

@XChrome It always surprises me how people react to others wearing masks, especially after what we all went through with Covid. My daughter has a very extreme sensitivity to mould and reacts really badly to even the tiniest amounts that most people would never notice. She has to wear an FFP3 mask on public transport and in her office. People regularly look at her as though she is eccentric or contagious.

Dd has an immunity issue and take methotrexate. Covid could kill her so I test if I feel unwell.

This is outing. But one of my parents died of covid during the pandemic. Then one of my PIL (fully vaccinated, more jabs than in the U.K.) caught it and was critically ill on cpap, never regained their previous state of health and independence.

I’m not about to be spreading that around.

I tested two weeks ago because I felt terrible, because I have an oncology appt on Monday( so I need to be careful for others' sakes) and because I've not had it yet and I was curious.

Because his teacher is pregnant and we wanted to be sure he was OK to go back into her lesson

I don't want to pass it to my mum, who regularly visits a care home.

My migraines doubled in frequency immediately after my first covid infection, and now I average 8 or 9 a month. If I get another sudden spike in frequency, knowing whether or not it's covid related might be useful information.

I work with predominantly elderly people so I may feel fine to go into work with Covid but they would not be able to recover quickly.

Last time I was going away for work so tested to rule it out. I was only very mildly unwell but I didn’t think spreading it would be welcome

I did actually have it so cancelled my trip

I work in hospitality. If I worked with Covid I would potentially be breathing over food / drink that I’m serving. Our work allows us to work with Covid, which I think is shockingly bad, as we could potentially pass it on to vulnerable customers.

Yes there is a test for Influenza! I have one on my shelf. Tests for Influenza A or B, Covid as well as RSV!

https://cordx.com/products/influenza-ab-covid-19-ag-combo-test/

Because I can. Same reason that I would use test for flu. It's helpful to know what you've got- cold, flu or Covid, to be able to modify if required where you go and what you do. It seems like common sense to me to be aware if the technology is there to tell you

I'm severely neutropenic (for life, not short term) and so I can get anti virals and also extra appointments with haematology
Was pretty unwell the one and only time I've had it and that's with the antivirals

I'm a medic I don't test for covid.

I test because if I do get it, I don't want to pass it on to anyone else. If I ever get it, I will isolate.

It's not "a headcold."

I'm lucky that I live in a country that sends free test kits to anyone who wants them. I have a little stockpile at this point.

Appalling.

Because I want to know. So if it's a cold I can push through. And if it's Covid I can take it easier to try and avoid Long Covid.

Plus the clinically vulnerable...

That's one way to facilitate an increasing demand on health services I suppose. It seems odd to post on a thread that asks people to share why they test, simply to say that you don't.

I test because I wanted to know for tracking my health. I exercise a lot and usually just for a cold, I would take a day or two off, whereas for Covid, I was planning to be more conservative. I tested positive for the first time ever 2.5 weeks ago and I laid off running for over a week.

Even though I recovered quickly it did feel like the flu in the first few days. Also, even though I felt normal again after 4 days, the temperature then dropped and I began to cough like crazy and have only just now tapered off. My son on the other hand recovered fully very quickly.

It also helped me plan my grocery shop ahead of time. Usually, I grocery shop in store but I switched to direct to car boot while I had Covid. I didn’t want to risk passing it to others.

What? So your elderly mum deserves protection but fuck everyone else who might come into contact with you?

lovely.

I’ve never had covid, I’m the only one in my extended family who hasn’t had it. I tested regularly for a long time to protect vulnerable family members even though I had no symptoms.
I would only test now if I felt unwell.