Have you had a covid test?

[Cherie]

I developed a very minor cough a few days ago, pretty sure it wasn’t covid but thought I would get out of the house for a test and I was curious :laugh:

So booking was easy and I had a range of options, home, walk-in in, drive in, opted for walk in, got there for 9am yesterday and there was no one else but me and the staff, directed in, asked if I had a test before and as I didn’t a young man guided me through the process of taking my own test...Now the swab was tiny, no where near the cotton bud size I was expecting, you swab the back of your throat for 5 seconds each side then put it up you nose for 10 secs, then into the vial, break the stick, seal it up in a bag, the guy scanned the bar code and I put it in the bin, and off I went, got the result just after midnight...negative

Now I had heard horror stories of how awful the test is, but it was one of the easiest tests I have ever had in my life ...:shrug:

[Smithy]

Only for training

[Crimson Dynamo]

no

[Cherie]

Only for training

Are you a covid tester?

[Smithy]

Are you a covid tester?

Supervisor on a site, but I need to be able to test if I’m short staffed so I can jump in to assist

[Cherie]

Supervisor on a site, but I need to be able to test if I’m short staffed so I can jump in to assist

Nice one

[Jessica.]

I have had two, the first was fine because I wasn't too sick but second time everything was swollen and inflamed so they had to force the swab through a closed swollen angry nostril, it was very painful, swab came out with blood on it. (both tests turned out to be negative)

[The Slim Reaper]

I think i went a bit far when I did the self test as it took a couple of hours for my nose and throat to settle back down again.

[Jessica.]

I think i went a bit far when I did the self test as it took a couple of hours for my nose and throat to settle back down again.

It's normal to feel uncomfortable or have a slight headache for about an hour after the test.

[Cherie]

I think i went a bit far when I did the self test as it took a couple of hours for my nose and throat to settle back down again.

Really? I just twirled the swab around, I wasn’t scraping away like cleaning the oven :hehe:

[Cherie]

I have had two, the first was fine because I wasn't too sick but second time everything was swollen and inflamed so they had to force the swab through a closed swollen angry nostril, it was very painful, swab came out with blood on it. (both tests turned out to be negative)

Yeah I can imagine if you had a cold or sore throat it would be uncomfortable but most of the horror stories I hear are from those who are being regularly tested at work and have no symptoms ...so much drama for such a tiny swab

[Niamh.]

No and I'm terrified of having to get one, the nose part especially

[Ammi]

...because of the complexities of nasal passages and much varied gagging reflexes etc...the experience won’t ever be a one size fits all, type thing...as most most things aren’t...

[The Slim Reaper]

Really? I just twirled the swab around, I wasn’t scraping away like cleaning the oven :hehe:

The nose one had me constantly sneezing and filled up with phlegm and the throat one had me wretching to the point I nearly threw up. :fist: I had to go and buy a toilet roll and some wet wipes on the way home, to clear myself out and clean myself up has I was covered in more snot than a 6 year old manc.

[AnnieK]

Nope...thankfully never had symptoms. Not really even had my usual winter cold this year....think its because my son has been out of school so much and I've not been in work I've avoided germs this year. Pretty glad really as I would dread having one.

[Kate!]

Not had one but am considering it as I have a sore throat developed overnight. Eek!

[Cherie]

...because of the complexities of nasal passages and much varied gagging reflexes etc...the experience won’t ever be a one size fits all, type thing...as most most things aren’t...

I can’t see how anyone would gag on this swab it’s tiny, and you are swabbing the sides not the middle of your throat, I have a bad gag reflex and it was no problem

[user104658]

I can’t see how anyone would gag on this swab it’s tiny, and you are swabbing the sides not the middle of your throat, I have a bad gag reflex and it was n9 problem

I think the process has changed a bit, in the early testing they had a long swab that they pushed up right through your nose and into the back of your throat. I think those are the ones people were mostly complaining about...

[Cherie]

Not had one but am considering it as I have a sore throat developed overnight. Eek!

Best go Kate and tell us how you get on :laugh:

[Cherie]

I think the process has changed a bit, in the early testing they had a long swab that they pushed up right through your nose and into the back of your throat. I think those are the ones people were mostly complaining about...

I did wonder if the process had changed as the swabs they showed on the news in the early days looked very big

Or maybe the swabs are different at different test centres :shrug:

[Kate!]

Best go Kate and tell us how you get on :laugh:

How do I do it? Is there a helpline to ring? Or do you ring your docs?

[Cherie]

How do I do it? Is there a helpline to ring? Or do you ring your docs?

Book a test online

https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

[Kate!]

Thank you xx

[Ammi]

...yeah as TS said, it would have varied depending on when the test was done as well...I definitely didn’t experience the smaller buds...:laugh:.but they are much more comfortable now, I know ...as I said, one size doesn’t always fit all for various reasons...

[Kate!]

I've looked on the website and it says this....

Use this service to order a test if you have at least one of these 3 coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms:

a high temperature
a new, continuous cough
you’ve lost your sense of smell or taste or it’s changed

I have none of these just a slight sore throat.

[Ammi]

I've looked on the website and it says this....

Use this service to order a test if you have at least one of these 3 coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms:

a high temperature
a new, continuous cough
you’ve lost your sense of smell or taste or it’s changed

I have none of these just a slight sore throat.

...the NHS guidance is if you have any one of the symptoms, so far as I know, Kate...are you able to contact your surgery to ask advice...?...

[thesheriff443]

I think i went a bit far when I did the self test as it took a couple of hours for my nose and throat to settle back down again.

They don’t call you deep throat danny for nothing

[thesheriff443]

Not had a test but if slim thinks he went too far I had a camera put down the end of my nob all the way into my bladder a few weeks back

But that wasn’t the bad part lol

[Vicky.]

I had one done, and also did one myself.
The one I got done was horrendous. However, I have a really bad fear of vomit, so the gagging while they were touching my tonsils was the worst part, I imagine a bit of gagging wouldn't bother 'normal' people. The nose bit, felt like they went way up there, but could have dealt with that bit. Just felt really really odd!

When I did my own, I failed drastically on the throat bit as I could not do it without touching teeth and all sorts. I still submitted it, on the advice of my nurse. Even though it was said, if you touch anywhere else the test will come back invalid. Well, it didn't come back invalid. Though not sure if it would say invalid, rather than just...BE invalid?

It was hell for me, and thats not an exagerration. However, its entirely to do with my phobia, rather than the actual test. And I only know one person who gave themselves a nosebleed when doing it, where according to social media, thats really common (and wouldn't be that surprising, given how far up it needs to go!). I could easily have dealt with the nosebleed too tbh, it was simply the gagging. I mean, I am so bad with that that I argued with doctors while I was extremely ill after my operation, that they couldn't put a camera down my throat unless they gave me a general anaesthetic first. This was due to me having had that before, and them convincing me that with a double sedation dose, and some numbing stuff, it would be fine and dandy. Which ended in a nurse sitting on each of my arms to pin me down, and the most traumatic experience of my life!

[Vicky.]

I've looked on the website and it says this....

Use this service to order a test if you have at least one of these 3 coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms:

a high temperature
a new, continuous cough
you’ve lost your sense of smell or taste or it’s changed

I have none of these just a slight sore throat.

For a fair while now, people have been having to lie to get tests. Its a ridiculous situation really. Even moreso when you add in that the vast majority of people who are positive, show no symptoms at all. We should be at a stage where people can get one for any slight symptom really, if they want to. Apparently some areas do allow testing on demand, but others, still only 'the big three'. Even in kids..when its quite well known, again, that the main symptoms are different in kids, and it tends to present as a tummy bug, rather than cough and such..in them.

[Vicky.]

Really? I just twirled the swab around, I wasn’t scraping away like cleaning the oven :hehe:

My mother in law was told if it did not feel quite uncomfortable, its not in high enough.

It went against all of my instincts tbh, to purposely push it further when I felt a bit of resistance. I would HATE having to do it on someone else, as obviously you wouldn't know when it was really hurting them until it was too late, where when you are doing your own, you can stop it immediately as you..well you know when its too much. I seriously admire people putting themselves forward as testers and that, I really could not do it.

[Cal.]

Yeah took one in September. It made my eyes water!

[Cal.]

I've looked on the website and it says this....

Use this service to order a test if you have at least one of these 3 coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms:

a high temperature
a new, continuous cough
you’ve lost your sense of smell or taste or it’s changed

I have none of these just a slight sore throat.

I work for the testing helpline and I’d advise you not to book a test unless you have one of the main three symptoms Kate just because of them going to people who really need them atm.

[Vicky.]

Yeah not lying is preferable. Especially if you are in a position where you could isolate just off your own back. We have gone through a few isolating periods, because of what I highly suspect was a cold. But given the symptoms of any illness really are also symptoms of covid..seemed to make sense. I know some cannot do that though. We only can really as Gavin is furloughed..would be in a bit of a dilemma if he wasn't allowed back to work until negative test, but had just a sore throat, or a headache. As it kind of becomes, lie, or be totally ****ed over moneywise and struggle like hell with that. Or, place people at risk when you could..make sure you are not a risk before going back out.

[Cherie]

My mother in law was told if it did not feel quite uncomfortable, its not in high enough.

It went against all of my instincts tbh, to purposely push it further when I felt a bit of resistance. I would HATE having to do it on someone else, as obviously you wouldn't know when it was really hurting them until it was too late, where when you are doing your own, you can stop it immediately as you..well you know when its too much. I seriously admire people putting themselves forward as testers and that, I really could not do it.

Yeah i this doing it myself was better I would have tensed up otherwise, I did feel the top if that makes sense, it just wasn’t as bad as I had been led to expect

[Kate!]

I work for the testing helpline and I’d advise you not to book a test unless you have one of the main three symptoms Kate just because of them going to people who really need them atm.

Yes thats what I thought too Cal. I'd probably be wasting their time and resources. I'm not going to have a test.

[Vicky.]

Yeah i this doing it myself was better I would have tensed up otherwise, I did feel the top if that makes sense, it just wasn’t as bad as I had been led to expect

Yeah I was really crapping myself with the first, as had heard horror stories. While it was awful for me, it wasn't as bad as I expected. The one doing it myself was much better, however, not even sure if I got an accurate result given..how it went. I hope they would send back saying 'inconclusive, try again' but I do wonder if they can even tell..if they are looking for part of the virus' 'code' then, it might just be its there, or it isn't, and they have no way of telling if you did it right or not?


The small cotton bud thing is..different though. The ones I got were kind of the lenth of 3 cotton buds, and a bit thicker also.

I guess, as with many things, people experience it differently. I mean, the camera down throat thing I mentioned upthread, my husband got one of them not long ago and he said it was mildly uncomfortable, but alright. Where it was torture for me, even with a bunch of drugs and numbing stuff. A few have tld me I am being ridiculous, saying it was the worst hour or so of my life too, as apparently 'its fine, just a bit uncomfortable'

Meanwhile, I didn't flinch at the antibody test, which was a blood test. Where it seems most would be iffy about that one and find with the swab! People are weird and random..really :p

[Cherie]

Yes thats what I thought too Cal. I'd probably be wasting their time and resources. I'm not going to have a test.

According to this sore throat can be a symptom just not as common as the others

https://www.healthline.com/health/sore-throat-coronavirus

[Vicky.]

According to this sore throat can be a symptom just not as common as the others

https://www.healthline.com/health/sore-throat-coronavirus

Yup. This is why so many are needing/chosing to lie to get tests. The criteria really needs to be looked at like. Seems most other countries accept all the symptoms as..symptoms. Only we say you have to have one of 3 symptoms..

[Cherie]

Yeah I was really crapping myself with the first, as had heard horror stories. While it was awful for me, it wasn't as bad as I expected. The one doing it myself was much better, however, not even sure if I got an accurate result given..how it went. I hope they would send back saying 'inconclusive, try again' but I do wonder if they can even tell..if they are looking for part of the virus' 'code' then, it might just be its there, or it isn't, and they have no way of telling if you did it right or not?


The small cotton bud thing is..different though. The ones I got were kind of the lenth of 3 cotton buds, and a bit thicker also.

I guess, as with many things, people experience it differently. I mean, the camera down throat thing I mentioned upthread, my husband got one of them not long ago and he said it was mildly uncomfortable, but alright. Where it was torture for me, even with a bunch of drugs and numbing stuff. A few have tld me I am being ridiculous, saying it was the worst hour or so of my life too, as apparently 'its fine, just a bit uncomfortable'

Meanwhile, I didn't flinch at the antibody test, which was a blood test. Where it seems most would be iffy about that one and find with the swab! People are weird and random..really :p


Smithy might be able to clear the cotton bud thing up it was literally tiny to what I expected about 1/4 the size of a normal cotton bud and narrow

[Cherie]

Yup. This is why so many are needing/chosing to lie to get tests. The criteria really needs to be looked at like. Seems most other countries accept all the symptoms as..symptoms. Only we say you have to have one of 3 symptoms..

Yeah I agree

[Vicky.]

Smithy might be able to clear the cotton bud thing up it was literally tiny to what I expected about 1/4 the size of a normal cotton bud and narrow

Maybe they changed them..was a beast of a thing, but my last test was months back now, so you would assume there had been advances in making it less uncomfortable (and more accurate too maybe)

A small one might have been more problematic for me tbh, as would have to basically have my hand in my mouth also to get the tonsil swab!

[Cherie]

Maybe they changed them..was a beast of a thing, but my last test was months back now, so you would assume there had been advances in making it less uncomfortable (and more accurate too maybe)

A small one might have been more problematic for me tbh, as would have to basically have my hand in my mouth also to get the tonsil swab!

No the tip was tiny but the plastic stick was quite long, you had to snap it to get it into the vial

[Vicky.]

No the tip was tiny but the plastic stick was quite long, you had to snap it to get it into the vial

Ahh yeah I see. Sounds the same then. Maybe about the length of a dvd case, with a little swab on the end.

Honestly, my brain doesnt work right these days seemingly, had visions of people trying to do the test with..like a matchstick type instrument :laugh:

[Cherie]

Ahh yeah I see. Sounds the same then. Maybe about the length of a dvd case, with a little swab on the end.

Honestly, my brain doesnt work right these days seemingly, had visions of people trying to do the test with..like a matchstick type instrument :laugh:

:joker:

[Crimson Dynamo]

When i was in the park the other night a man approached me and asked if i would like a test. It was the new one where you have to drop your trousers and bend down. I did remark that the swap stick looked remarkably like an erect penis but he said it was the new EU verified swab stick. Anyway after around half an hour or so he told me i was negative.

I dont have the sore head I just find it hard to sit down.

:think:

[Cherie]

When i was in the park the other night a man approached me and asked if i would like a test. It was the new one where you have to drop your trousers and bend down. I did remark that the swap stick looked remarkably like an erect penis but he said it was the new EU verified swab stick. Anyway after around half an hour or so he told me i was negative.

I dont have the sore head I just find it hard to sit down.

:think:

:joker:

They have started using anal swabbing in China..

https://www.health.com/condition/infectious-diseases/coronavirus/anal-swabs-coronavirus

[Smithy]

I did wonder if the process had changed as the swabs they showed on the news in the early days looked very big

Or maybe the swabs are different at different test centres :shrug:

The swabs are different depending on the type of test you do

[Beso]

Yes I had one just before xmas.

They bud was massive, so I wont be having another one.

If I feel I'll i will isolate until better.

[Smithy]

Also Kate sites across the NW in general are very quiet atm, Personally I don’t think booking a test isn’t an issue

[Strictly Jake]

I get an asymptomatic test twice weekly. Dont mind it now

[Zizu]

Our school LFD tests allow us to either swap your throat plus ONE nostril or swan BOTH nostrils..

The LFD kits used by staff to do themselves at home just says BOTH nostrils and doesn’t even mention swabbing the throat .


Oddly at school we are not told to aboud eating or drinking 30 minutes before the test but the home testing kits instruct you to AVOID food or drink for 30 minutes before testing ...

They are both LFD tests ..


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[Brother Leon]

Yeah. I had one on Monday and was positive. The swab I had was huge tbh.

[Ammi]

Yeah. I had one on Monday and was positive. The swab I had was huge tbh.

...have you felt okay with any symptoms, Leon..?...

[Cherie]

The swabs are different depending on the type of test you do

Okay so what test did I do with the teeny tiny swab

[Cherie]

Yeah. I had one on Monday and was positive. The swab I had was huge tbh.

Oh hope you are okay

[Ammi]

Okay so what test did I do with the teeny tiny swab

...was the question asked by the 10’ 7” tall Cherie at the testing centre...

[Cherie]

...was the question asked by the 10’ 7” tall Cherie at the testing centre...

:laugh: I feel I haven’t had the full experience now :oh:

[Ammi]

:laugh: I feel I haven’t had the full experience now :oh:

...Maybe the sizes can vary from centre to centre as well, depending on which distributor they came from as well, I don’t know but it’s like every/any ‘procedure’ isn’t it, in that there will be variations in experiences...I’m sure that you’ve had the full experience that hopefully many others have had as well, I’d like to think so and I’m sure that’s very true...

[bots]

different tests, different tools basically. It doesnt take a big item to collect microscopic strands of covid. If covid were the size of a golf ball, it might be a different matter :laugh:

[Smithy]

Okay so what test did I do with the teeny tiny swab

PCS I imagine

[Beso]

Maybe cheries just got a massive nose:shrug:

[The Slim Reaper]

Maybe cheries just got a massive nose:shrug:

And zero gag reflex :vanessaeyebrowsmiley:

[Cherie]

Maybe cheries just got a massive nose:shrug:

And zero gag reflex :vanessaeyebrowsmiley:

:smug:

[bots]

I wonder if Mr C thought it was a tiny swab too?

[Cherie]

I wonder if Mr C thought it was a tiny swab too?

:laugh:

[Brother Leon]

Oh hope you are okay

...have you felt okay with any symptoms, Leon..?...


I had a high fever for the first day or so, but since then I’ve felt ok. I’ve spent most of self isolation doting on my wife, because her body hasn’t responded as well to it as me unfortunately.

[Ammi]

I had a high fever for the first day or so, but since then I’ve felt ok. I’ve spent most of self isolation doting on my wife, because her body hasn’t responded as well to it as me unfortunately.

...I’m glad that you’re doing okay yourself but so sorry about your wife, Leon...:hug:..are her symptoms starting to improve now at all...?...

[bots]

I had a high fever for the first day or so, but since then I’ve felt ok. I’ve spent most of self isolation doting on my wife, because her body hasn’t responded as well to it as me unfortunately.

hope you both get well soon

[Jake.]

Yeah, can’t remember if I’d had 3 or 4. Last one tested positive on the 13th of Jan I think it was.

[Jake.]

Found them.. bearable, but not very pleasant. Lots of sneezing/gagging and crying lol

[Ammi]

Yeah, can’t remember if I’d had 3 or 4. Last one tested positive on the 13th of Jan I think it was.

...you okay though, Jake...?...

[Jake.]

...you okay though, Jake...?...

I wasn’t, but I am now :laugh:
Aside from feeling a bit fatigued still, the other symptoms have all gone. Was very unpleasant at its worst, though

[Ammi]

I wasn’t, but I am now :laugh:
Aside from feeling a bit fatigued still, the other symptoms have all gone. Was very unpleasant at its worst, though

...yeah my brother in law has had quite a grim time as well but he’s starting to feel himself again...that’s always been one of the things of it, the differences in how bodies display it in almost entirely different ways, as if it wasn’t the same virus, almost...I’m so sorry that it was so horrid for you, Jake and that you felt so ill but so pleased that you’re feeling so much better again, now...:hug:..

[Barry.]

When I was in hospital they did but the nurse did it for me

[Cherie]

@ Kate

Coughs, sore throats, fatigue and muscle pain are more commonly reported symptoms of the new UK coronavirus variant, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). However, fewer people testing positive for the variant appear to be experiencing a loss of taste or smell.

[Cherie]

When I was in hospital they did but the nurse did it for me

Are you okay Baz?

[Zizu]

@ Kate



Coughs, sore throats, fatigue and muscle pain are more commonly reported symptoms of the new UK coronavirus variant, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). However, fewer people testing positive for the variant appear to be experiencing a loss of taste or smell.



Aren’t all those the same as flu symptoms ?


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[Cherie]

Aren’t all those the same as flu symptoms ?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Yes

[Cal.]

FYI I’m not disputing other symptoms of covid exist. I was just saying on the helplines where we book people for tests we only recognise the 3 main symptoms as test qualifying and would only book a test for you with those main symptoms.

[Amy Jade]

I've had 4.

It's not nice by any means but it's not distressing or anything either but they aren't nice when you feel awful and are struggling anyway.

[Bollo]

Yes, i did the drive through self test and it was fine...the hardest part was navigating myself out of the car park system....

[Jake.]

...yeah my brother in law has had quite a grim time as well but he’s starting to feel himself again...that’s always been one of the things of it, the differences in how bodies display it in almost entirely different ways, as if it wasn’t the same virus, almost...I’m so sorry that it was so horrid for you, Jake and that you felt so ill but so pleased that you’re feeling so much better again, now...:hug:..

Absolutely. My dad had a ridiculously high temperature with it whereas I didn’t, it affected my mum / stepmum differently as well. Thank you Ammi :love:

[Nick.]

Have taken two, both very quick and easy - Got the results whilst walking home. Was very anxious at first, put it off for a bit - Decided I might as well and it was painless and chill

[Tom4784]

No, It's pretty certain I had Covid back in December 2019 though, since my dad had a test a few months ago and it showed he had a small amount of antibodies which he was told meant that he had it quite a while ago which ties in well since we were all horrendously ill over that Christmas.

I haven't had any symptoms since 2019 nor do I work in a place that requires regular testing so I've never had any of the tests.

[Daniel.]

8