[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

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 ...

[Smithy]

Only for training

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Smithy

Only for training

Are you a covid tester?

[Smithy]

Originally Posted by Cherie

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]

Originally Posted by Smithy

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

[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.

[LeatherTrumpet]

no

[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)

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by 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)

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...

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by 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...

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

[Toy Soldier]

Originally Posted by Cherie

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]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

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

[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]

Originally Posted by Kate!

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

[Kate!]

Originally Posted by Cherie

Best go Kate and tell us how you get on

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

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Kate!

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

[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....but they are much more comfortable now, I know ...as I said, one size doesn’t always fit all for various reasons...

[Kate!]

Thank you xx

[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]

Originally Posted by 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.

...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...?...

[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

[Cal.]

Originally Posted by 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.

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.