How reliable are rapid tests?

Charnley · 2025-10-09T19:31:19+00:00

My DB has Covid who was holding my baby on Friday. Sunday night baby got poorly really crying and snotty , no sleep . Slowly getting better. I started Tuesday with horrendous swollen tonsils , headache , a bit clamy . My DM who lives with my DB , and was here Tuesday also now has Covid . Ive taken 2 rapid tests both negative . How reliable are they ? Im worried the baby has one virus and is now going to get Covid (he was very prem ). My DH and other DS 5 seem fine so far. Thanks!

Sidge · 09/10/2025 20:47

I really don’t understand why people are even testing. It’s just another viral illness now and is managed in the same way. Knowing it might be covid as opposed to any other virus doesn’t change the management?

Paracetamol, fluids and rest.

Original poster

Charnley · 09/10/2025 20:52

Sidge · 09/10/2025 20:47

I really don’t understand why people are even testing. It’s just another viral illness now and is managed in the same way. Knowing it might be covid as opposed to any other virus doesn’t change the management?

Paracetamol, fluids and rest.

No it doesn't. But my baby is vulnerable and is just getting over a virus which I'm hoping was Covid so he doesnt get a virus on top of a virus. Hence asking about the reliability of tests. The treatment would possibly be different for him.

OP posts:

Sidge · 09/10/2025 20:56

No it wouldn’t be any different unless he developed a secondary bacterial infection.

I hope you’re all better soon.

Arlanymor · 09/10/2025 20:59

Sidge · 09/10/2025 20:47

I really don’t understand why people are even testing. It’s just another viral illness now and is managed in the same way. Knowing it might be covid as opposed to any other virus doesn’t change the management?

Paracetamol, fluids and rest.

They test in hospitals - why shouldn't people test?

xanthomelana · 09/10/2025 20:59

I had the exact same symptoms as 6 of my colleagues and myself and two others didn’t test positive, the rest did but we all had the same thing within a few weeks. Normally I wouldn’t test but we did so for a vulnerable family member of one of the staff. This was a few months ago so fairly recent and the tests were in date and straight from the shop floor where we work.

Original poster

Charnley · 09/10/2025 21:09

Sidge · 09/10/2025 20:56

No it wouldn’t be any different unless he developed a secondary bacterial infection.

I hope you’re all better soon.

He had a virus a few months ago 5 days in hospital on antivirals

OP posts:

Original poster

Charnley · 09/10/2025 21:12

xanthomelana · 09/10/2025 20:59

I had the exact same symptoms as 6 of my colleagues and myself and two others didn’t test positive, the rest did but we all had the same thing within a few weeks. Normally I wouldn’t test but we did so for a vulnerable family member of one of the staff. This was a few months ago so fairly recent and the tests were in date and straight from the shop floor where we work.

Thank you for responding. I'll test again in a few days and hope the babies in the clear x

OP posts:

Funnywonder · 09/10/2025 21:28

Sidge · 09/10/2025 20:47

I really don’t understand why people are even testing. It’s just another viral illness now and is managed in the same way. Knowing it might be covid as opposed to any other virus doesn’t change the management?

Paracetamol, fluids and rest.

Such an ignorant comment. My youngest child is immunosuppressed due to biologics for Crohn’s Disease. If he gets Covid he can access antivirals. So not all of us think ‘it’s just another viral illness’ and, for us as a family, testing is absolutely vital. There are hundreds of thousands of people with various chronic diseases and other vulnerabilities who could become extremely ill if they catch Covid. So, don’t test if you don’t feel the need to, but think before you wonder out loud why other people test.

Sidge · 10/10/2025 06:23

I’m also severely immunocompromised on biologics and have accessed antivirals when I’ve previously had Covid but they are no longer routinely offered to vulnerable people testing positive. Testing doesn’t influence management like it did even 18 months ago.

The vast majority of people have absolutely no need to test whether vulnerable or not, or whether family members are vulnerable. You treat it like any other illness - if unwell, don’t visit them. If unwell, take time off school or work regardless of the cause. They don’t test in healthcare any more and staff aren’t required to test. Save your money and just use some common sense. Does knowing your baby or child has Covid as opposed to any other infection change your threshold for seeking medical help? I doubt it very much.

Original poster

Charnley · 10/10/2025 07:14

Sidge · 10/10/2025 06:23

I’m also severely immunocompromised on biologics and have accessed antivirals when I’ve previously had Covid but they are no longer routinely offered to vulnerable people testing positive. Testing doesn’t influence management like it did even 18 months ago.

The vast majority of people have absolutely no need to test whether vulnerable or not, or whether family members are vulnerable. You treat it like any other illness - if unwell, don’t visit them. If unwell, take time off school or work regardless of the cause. They don’t test in healthcare any more and staff aren’t required to test. Save your money and just use some common sense. Does knowing your baby or child has Covid as opposed to any other infection change your threshold for seeking medical help? I doubt it very much.

If it was me I wouldn't be bothered . Its not it's my baby who is vulnerable.

I work with people with cancer currently on mat leave and if we have any symtoms we need to test.

OP posts:

Original poster

Charnley · 10/10/2025 07:16

The last virus he was on antivirals for is not one they would normally give them for .

OP posts:

HuskyNew · 10/10/2025 07:21

Sidge · 10/10/2025 06:23

I’m also severely immunocompromised on biologics and have accessed antivirals when I’ve previously had Covid but they are no longer routinely offered to vulnerable people testing positive. Testing doesn’t influence management like it did even 18 months ago.

The vast majority of people have absolutely no need to test whether vulnerable or not, or whether family members are vulnerable. You treat it like any other illness - if unwell, don’t visit them. If unwell, take time off school or work regardless of the cause. They don’t test in healthcare any more and staff aren’t required to test. Save your money and just use some common sense. Does knowing your baby or child has Covid as opposed to any other infection change your threshold for seeking medical help? I doubt it very much.

Yes they do.
the Covid Medcines Delivery Unit still triages vulnerable people and prescribes anti virals if necessary.
This happened last week.

OP , if you are worried about the baby, take him in to be checked over. No one here can diagnose him.

Brightbluesomething · 12/10/2025 13:06

I bought a pack of supermarket tests yesterday, at £9.45 I was hoping they’d be accurate! They did say the test takes 15-30 mins to show results. Mine came back positive within 30 seconds.
It would be dangerous and highly irresponsible of me to go into my workplace whilst still positive so I’m staying at home to protect others.
Ignore those who say don’t test. It’s your decision.

EwwwGross · 27/10/2025 07:35

Sidge · 09/10/2025 20:47

I really don’t understand why people are even testing. It’s just another viral illness now and is managed in the same way. Knowing it might be covid as opposed to any other virus doesn’t change the management?

Paracetamol, fluids and rest.

Well, no, for vulnerable people it's not managed in the same way. When I test positive I have to immediately start the process to get antivirals because I'm immunosuppressed and covid can still be quite dangerous for those of us who are.