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.

That is the official advice if you work in a school and have COVID - if you are well enough you go to work. I understand why people aren't going to risk their jobs by having too much sickness (hard to avoid in a school) even if the sensible thing would be to stay off.

This is interesting. The only time I wear a mask is on a plane. The very idea of wearing a mask seems to enrage and inflame some people. and you do get dirty looks. On my last flight I was sat next to a woman who seemed quite ill. She had a filthy cough and could barely speak. She made a point every time she coughed of turning towards me.

I feel there's an inevitability about catching covid and don't bother at home, but if I am going on holiday I don't want to be ill. Pre-covid when no-one even thought to wear a mask I always got ill after a flight, ended up in hospital with pnemonia one time.

I test because I have two small children and would like to know if the colds that the toddler constantly passes to me are Covid so that if my 7 month old gets sick I already know whether it’s Covid or not. I don’t have the luxury of staying isolated if it’s Covid but at least it allows me to cancel nursery etc for my toddler and keep away from mom and baby groups etc.

Because I'm very health aware and need to know what my body is up to.

It's been interesting how covid is worse than a cold but not as bad as flu.
I'd test for everything all the time if I was a billionaire, probably have my own MRI machine 😁. For now it's just a blood pressure monitor and fitbit.

Because a friend is an organ recipient and been told she’s high risk so if I knew I had covid I wouldn’t see her.

Parent to a primary aged child so it's a no brainer to protect the teachers/school community. If I feel unwell with any of the symptoms, then I test.
Also both my parents are clinically vulnerable so often test as I visit them umpteen times a week.
Finally-it's just common sense and respect for other people's well-being!

I wouldn't buy new tests now, but if I am poorly I use one of the ones we already have out of curiosity really and because I can. Generally any illness where I feel like absolute shite I try and stay away from others as much as possible so it doesn't affect how I react to the results in honesty.

Just covid or any savage respiratory illness/bad cold etc? I suppose for me this is the question I have, if you feel poorly surely you'd be responsible and not see someone vulnerable like this regardless of if it's covid or not? And be responsible with hygiene, if you'd been around someone contagious even if you feel asymptomatic etc?

Because I felt really rough and was intrigued! Got to the point I thought I needed medical attention - but once I knew it was Covid I rode it out.

Me too, and so I could feel I'll safe in the knowledge I am ill 😂

Because in 2020, my grandad almost died when he caught covid. I will not be the person who passes it onto him for a second time.

Also, my life is so busy and stressful, it's actually quite useful to be able to stay away from people for a week, and for nobody to want to go near you!

I saw the thread I think you are referring to yesterday which was on the Covid board. Second or third poster asked why the OP was testing.

It doesn't actually matter why someone would test, that's their business and decision and they shouldn't have to justify it to anyone.

I still test if I think I may have it.

I don't understand why posters who obviously don't test and treat Covid like a normal common cold are hanging around the Covid board waiting to jump on a thread to ask why they tested, it's none of their bloody business and never helpful to the OP who has asked advice.

Covid is such an odd virus because it can result in anything from no symptoms at all to death. So someone going about their day with a bit of a sniffle can infect someone else who is then much more severely affected. I think this is why it's worth testing, I do it to allow other people to choose whether they want to risk coming into contact with covid. Most will be fine but some won't. This is unlike flu where sufferers are generally too ill to be out and about infecting others, and unlike a cold which is just much less dangerous.

I am a freelancer working with several different groups of people - I don't always know who is vulnerable and even if I did would not like to decide for them whether the level of risk is ok or not.
(Having said that I don't test routinely, only if I'm ill.)

@Daffntulip @mathanxiety I'm acting in line with NHS guidance. Have you read it recently?? It's freely available on line.

I test because my mum has terminal cancer and my dad is vulnerable so it’s important that I test. They depend on me a lot. I work in school so am exposed a lot to illness so test if I feel unwell before visiting my parents. We have to stay off work until we test negative

Feel v similar to this now after having had (and tested for) Covid three times since the having all restrictions and requirements to test passed, and since having all the vaccinations. The first time (Jan 23) I tested cos I had one left over test in house and didn't realise then it could and would be worse than a cold after being fully vaccinated (I had it in August 21 and it wasn't that bad, and I hadn't had all the vaccines). I was due to be on an online training course which I didn't want to miss so worked from home during the first 3 days, and am sure this made it last a lot longer. I didn't get long covid fortunately but I was proper ill for about 10 days in the end and not myself again for a good month, so that's probably the longest ever that I have been ill. I got it again towards the end of June this year. Tested after a colleague suggested it may be Covid cos of up and down symptoms. It was and then I took it easy and I think that helped aid a swifter recovery. I am just getting better now from my 3rd bout (4th time having it in all, as I also had it in summer 21). Testing helped ensure I take proper time off work (work doesn't officially care less about colds off course but I do think if you tell people you have Covid they acknowledge it more, and I also give myself more of a break).

Based on my experience and that of friends, it does seem that for people in their 40s and 50s, Covid is quite a bit worse than your average cold and lasts a fair bit longer too. So I do think people should make an effort to not pass it to others, and testing def helps with that. I do appreciate that we can't confine with mandatory testing tho, it's not sustainable, but not sure what the solution is

Work in healthcare, in close proximity with colleagues who are CV and who have clinically vulnerable relatives and we meet patients in the facility from time to time

Like most people who test, to avoid passing it on - I'd test for other things if available. I honestly thought after the pandemic people would be more thoughtful about passing things in general on- not necessarily isolating as realistically it's not easy for many people, but not practicing good hygiene, not coughing in people's faces and attending social events if clearly unwell were things I'd thought would stay.

• I know flu tests are available, but imagine there was an all in one stick that someone suggested above!

To protect others. Also, if I went into work with it and passed it on it would have massive consequences (emergency services). If I was well enough I would WFH, but last time I had it I was in bed for a week.

Because I want to find out if I've finally got it......still haven't had it yet.

OP was asking what would make someone take a test. DH had a valid reason, there was no reason for me to test. All the guidance is to treat it as you would a common cold. I messaged the Head and Deputy Head who confirmed that I should attend unless too ill. I washed my hands and tried to keep my distance from pupils and colleagues where possible. 🤷‍♀️

I’m usually very blasé about covid and other stuff tbh from a personal POV as it’s never made me significantly more ill than any other virus, but given the way covid is treated, it’s the only way to get people to take you seriously.

If you say I can’t come in to work as I have a bad cold/virus that makes me feel achey and tired and terrible it sounds like you’re being really lame and you need to take some paracetamol and man up.

If you say you have covid you probably feel exactly the same but everyone wishes you to feel better soon and tells you to put your feet up.

Covid is such an odd virus because it can result in anything from no symptoms at all to death.
This has been my experience. All post vaccine.
First time in 2021 I was seriously ill in hospital. Thought I might die.
Second time barely a sniffle.
Third time 3 months ago it was like flu. Knocked me sideways and wasn't fully back to normal for weeks but not sick enough to need hospital.

If they had tests for other illnesses I could do at home I would - interesting to see what it is!

I have a couple of vulnerable people I see and I wouldn't see any of them if I was ill - so it's not about that. Just want to know what I have!