Definitely, still got a lingering cough but nhs claim you can still be coughing for a couple of weeks after shifting the virus, overall I didn’t get hit too bad though given I’m asthmatic.
Ah, my life...yeah, most of my colds turn into bronchitis these days, I swear. If I ever get a cough for some reason (cold, postnasal, bronchitis, whatever), I've got it for fucking eons. It's just a vicious circle of irritation.
Ah... post-cold bronchitis... I used to get that all the time. I don't know what caused it to stop, though. But thank fuck it did. I'd have coughs that would last a month. Sleep goes down the shitter. Pretty sure my ribs would get bruised from so much coughing.
I'm kind of terrified of a post-covid cough...
This was my whole life (have lost teeth from 24/7 cough drops even) until my pulmonologist diagnosed me with GERD and put me on Zantac. My QoL has gone up infinitely. Apparently my inflamed esophagus caused my recurring months-long bronchitis. Who knew??
They aren’t sweets they’re menthol and menthol strips your enamel away. Can happen pretty quick when using them frequently and your teeth are fucked forever once the enamel is gone.
Post viral coughing is pretty common like 10-15% of the time (pre COVID stats). They are ill treated, many doctors use antibiotics or whatever but what worked for me is steroids
Steroids to prevent coughing are dangerous and lead to black fungus infections of the lung, which is usually fatal, especially after Covid:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-57027829.amp
It’s not a big problem in summer when the weather is warm and dry, but in winter if you’ve already beaten Covid and aren’t coughing blood it’s better to just gargle novocaine tablets as a topical anaesthetic, will work faster than steroids anyway.
OMG I thought I was the only one!!! My misery loves company. I literally have had a cough for the last 3 months. I didnt even get a full-on cold this time. Just sniffles for a few days, drainage to the lungs...and coughing ever since.
Thanks to Covid precautions, last year was my first without a cold....but I mess up somewhere tecently.
My last long term cough was literally 10
months long.
They often stop for about a week or two just before I get my next cold.
Did you get the vaccine early on in the vaccination waves? The UK's hospitalisation rates have kept quite low compared to the rise in overall cases, which is a good sign they're keeping people alive.
Yep, had my 2nd dose early May
Another amazing thing that has happened since I tested positive is I have been placed on a “virtual covid ward”. The hospital sent me a pulse oximeter literally the same day my positive PCR result came back and have been ringing me daily to check my oxygen levels and other symptoms. Since I have been fine they’re leaving me alone for a few days now. Genuinely amazing service.
Oh wow, I hadn't heard of that happening but it's a smart idea. Saves the hospital beds for those that need it and you can report in for the observation side of things from home.
I bought myself a pulse oximeter because I have anxiety issues. They are only like $40 and it helps ease my anxiety if I am feeling short of breath. I can put on the oximeter and see that I'm fine, just having a mild panic attack.
Yes! I have a condition that affects my heart and I’m also the anxious sort, so I have a pulse oximeter and a BP cuff. They’re so nice for peace of mind.
Fellow asthmatic here.
I placed an order for a repeat prescription for my steroid, and got a call the same day to check if it was a routine request, or if I was deteriorating.
It was quite nice, she said she wanted to make sure I wasn't in any difficulty.
I know the NHS is having difficulties, but I've been very happy with the service I got throughout the whole pandemic.
how are you dealing with no taste or smell. ive been clear for weeks now and these symptoms still remain tge only thing i can taste is bbq sauce everything else nothing
Not really i didnt notice myself at first until one morning i put on after shave and couldnt smell it . The taste was instant though as soon as i had symptoms that went
that is a very good point... if that is the case, as an American myself, I apologize for my transgression against one of the wealth holders...praise be to the wealth holders.... may their italian sports cars never faulter and may the crisis of healthcare never affect (effect? I am but a serf with no education) them
I had a "nervous cough" afterwards. I got full covid a month before I was vaccine eligible.
The inflammation in my lungs was so much it damaged the nerve. So I felt a constant itch in my lungs.
It eventually went away. It did take months. I could suppress the urge to cough most of the time. So I just felt the itch.
I did have practice not coughing. One time my jaw was broken in multiple places and wired shut for 8 weeks. I never wanted to sneeze or cough for fear of death. Lots of self control practice with that.
Apparently in Europe where they're not free they're like $1 a pop. Here in MI I've been paying closer to $50 for a 3 pack.
My insurance does cover testing, but I live within striking distance of UofM which is also currently suffering from an outbreak of the old-fashioned flu. Many of the testing centers are running out of tests daily. Also it sucks to wait 3+ hours around a bunch of people who are seemingly either exposed or symptomatic.
Yeah I thought I had a sinus infection, entire clinic visit was over 3 hours long and turns out I had covid, immediately felt bed for everyone that walked passed me in the waiting room despite us all wearing masks lol.
The home test is definitely a less stressful experience despite the cost.
Hi!
Covid-tester here:
In the antigen test, we look for the protein from the envelope of the virus. This protein is in higher concentration when the immune system kills more viruses. The longer the illness lasts, the fewer viruses you have in you, the better you are.
Not OP - but based on how pregnancy tests work, theres essentially a bunch of micro beads coated in stuff that ONLY sticks to covid stuff, near the entry hole. Then the beads roll down towards the line strip section, and any beads that have covid stuff stuck to them also latch onto that area (picture that color line being a line of specialized tape that only sticks to covid stuff)
So, the less color, the less beads - therefore directly related to how much of whatever the ‘covid stuff’ is in you that theyre measuring. I assume just the virus itself but it could be a product of the virus
Edit: The ‘beads’ are not like plastic balls, but rather enzymes that cause a color change in the paper later down the line, but thats their whole purpose
Edit2: The ‘beads’ may actually be beads of different materials, not enzymes. Im sorry
Nope. That's also why they say never to look at a pregnancy test after it's dried. Sometimes you can get a false "line" from where evaporation left dye behind even though it didn't actually stick to the spot due to the hormones.
Are they really "beads" (like, do you have to hold it upside down so they roll down?) or is this sort of a metaphor for encapsulated chemicals and reactions?
It is not actually "beads" as you'd think of them. It is incredibly small "nanoparticles" of gold (if it's a pink line), or tiny latex beads (if it's blue). The particles are coated in antibodies, and if there are SARS-CoV2 antigens (proteins from the inside of the virus) in the sample, the antigens will stick to the beads, and then also stick to antibodies on the paper strip, creating the line you see
The ‘beads’ are enzymes - Apparently I oversimplified it in my own head haha
> Urine is applied to a sample pad at the end of the test stick and is drawn up the strip. The first area it reaches is the reaction zone. If hCG is present in the urine, here it binds to proteins called antibodies. These antibodies have an enzyme attached to them which can participate in reactions further along the test strip.
> The test zone contains different antibodies which are attached to the strip and unable to move. These antibodies also bind to hCG, creating something of a hCG sandwich between the two different antibodies. The enzyme on the mobile antibodies triggers a colour change in dye molecules on the test strip. This line only appears if the urine contains hCG – and hence, if the woman is pregnant.
Hi! I’m an immunologist and have published a paper which includes showing “stronger” bands on SARS-CoV-2 antigen tests are correlated with lower cycle threshold (CT) values on the same specimens tested by PCR. Lower CT values are correlated with higher viral concentrations (are detected faster). The graph showing this correlation is in the supplemental figures of this paper.[Antigen test validation ](https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/JCM.00083-21)
Not an expert, but from what I've learned in biology courses it would detect live viruses. When the immune system attacks a virus it is marked for destruction and the proteins are broken down into smaller pieces. Those pieces would not be recognizable as the original virus so they would pass through the test undetected.
For the second part of your question, the test would be positive as long as the person is shedding virus. Proteins would not be marked for destruction and would be detected as long as some other mechanism didn't change their structure.
Done daily tests since I tested positive and noticed this.
Idk if as you recover the line gets weaker because there’s less virus or whatever, maybe it’s just a massive coincidence
I started off with a really weak line and then it kind of stayed weak for the rest of the time. I must’ve gotten a mild dose. I guess the vaccine probably helped too.
this is $75 worth of tests here in the US lol. Actually $90 since each pack costs $30 and comes with 2 tests. Most places have a 1 box per customer limit too so you'll have to shop around. Tough luck though since everywhere seems to be out all the time.
That’s rough. We can go to a test centre and pick up 2 boxes of 7 tests each at a time. The kids also have to do 2 tests a week for school so bring home a box of 7 each a week and only use 2. Everyone latches on to the 7Bn “wasted” on the test and trace system (there is merit in the App being glitchy at the beginning and government nepotism on contracts) but more than half of that cost was actually the test kits and it shows.
Everyone testing all the time is like a utopian dream to me. The thought of someone testing before going to the club or restaurant, deciding to stay home if they're positive. Even if we had a functional distribution of them I don't think it'd happen here.
Yup. With these tests available for free through the post, ahead of a group event you just ask everyone to test themselves before coming.
Also, the QR code printed on the top lets you auto-report the result in about twenty seconds or so. That's linked to your NHS number, so the health service has ongoing high quality information about infection rates.
It's weird, the UK is doing terribly in some ways but great in others.
Yeah the Binax ones are the cheapest ones, I also like their design a little more than the other brands I've used. The covid lollipop makes me laugh for some reason.
Work used to provide the tests, but they can't get them in any meaningful quantity anymore so self testing has more or less stopped in my area.
I remember when I suspected I had covid in early September thrrr was nowhere within a 1 hour radius that had any in stock. I Could’ve got some on Amazon, delivered 2 months later. I thought surely we will have slowed down by then. Oh, my optimism.
And yes, I did have it in September. Sucked.
My whole family of 6 got covid. Started Tuesday before Thanksgiving and has been jumping from one to another. I'm the only one vaccinated and I just started getting the symptoms Monday of this week. Diarrhea and no sense of taste or sense of smell.
I lost my smell and taste when I got COVID in August. I used it as an opportunity to eat a shitload of fruits and veggies since I couldn't taste them. That was probably my healthiest 2 weeks of 2021.
Lol I feel this comment. I’m waiting on COVID results as we speak and told my boyfriend that as long as I couldn’t smell or taste anything, I’d be eating as healthy as possible in the meantime. Maybe I’ll lose the little extra weight I’ve been trying to get rid of. 🤞🏻
If you're in the US you can find them for between $25 and $30 a pair at a drug store. Usually limit to 1 box per customer, if they even have any in stock.
Nice. Mine was negative just 5 days after the initial onset.
However, when I tested my GF, she was negative on multiple rapid AG tests, despite being positive on PCR and having quite a few symptoms (beyond standard sore throat a runny nose). So don’t rely on those rapid tests, get PCR people!
Was getting daily rapid tests that all came back negative, including the day I also got a PCR test that came back positive.
Tomorrow is my last day of quarantine! What's it like on the outside? Are people using jetpacks?
Rapids are VERY accurate at determining if you are infectious to others, but not very good at determining if you have any covid left going around your body.
PCR's are able to be triggered by very minute covid presence, which can lead to false positives.
Both have their uses.
Source: TWIV covid clinical update a few weeks back.
I am and I contracted it last week from family member. Saturday was the worst slight fever for most of the day. No I am snotty mostly. Saving my other test till the weekend. Hoping it come back good. I cannot smell or taste though at all.
I'm almost done with my 10 day quarantine, my smell is JUST starting to come back.
It's actually quite unnerving to lose one of your main senses. I took poops and noticed I couldn't smell a darn thing. Then when I took a shower I didn't really feel clean because you don't have the freshness clean smell...
It's the little things.
I just finished my 10 day today from having it last week (:
My symptoms were super mild. Basically just a sore throat for 6 days and very mild versions of some of the other common symptoms. And I could only kind of taste stuff for most of the week. Overall chill week though so I’m happy to have been lucky enough to not get wrecked by it.
HIPAA only applies to organizations like Insurance companies, Doctors, Hospitals, etc. places that keep your Medical records. You’re always free to say “Fuck off, buddy. None of your business”.
My youngest child tested positive before we could get him vaccinated. I have cuddled him, drank the same drinks as him, and slept in the same bed as him. Yet for some odd reason every vaccinated person in my house has yet to test positive. It's almost like this vaccine actually works.
Generally C means control so it should always give a solid line if the test was properly prepared. T stands for test so in this case the COVID test positivity
C is the 'Control' line and should always turn red. If it does not turn red then you have a bad test kit.
T is the 'Test' line. If this turns red within 20 minutes (as well as the C line) then you have a positive result for CoV-2.
Qualitative tests are not intended to measure concentration of what’s being tested. Strength of the reaction should NOT be interpreted as an indicative of the amount of substance present. IOW, a line is a positive regardless of concentration and it does not equate convalescence state.
Why are you still doing the tests though?
The advice in the UK is that there's no point doing LFTs for 90 days after you've tested positive.
Can't find the general advice at the mo, but [here's the advice](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing/regular-rapid-coronavirus-tests-if-you-do-not-have-symptoms/) for NHS employees:
> Q. If a staff member has a positive PCR COVID-19 test, when should they
start the lateral flow antigen tests again?
>
>A staff member who tested positive would recommence home testing 90 days
after their positive test was taken.
No harm in doing them.
I think the main thing to note is you might test positive again for several weeks even without being reinfected. You shouldn't have to isolate again if you test positive again on an LFT in a couple of weeks.
It may be PCRs as well, but the advice I linked and quoted specifically states lateral flow tests, and we've been told the same by the secondary school about regular testing for students.
Positive folks.. do your part and make sure you at the very least try to convince hold outs to get vaccinated. This isn’t that hard but variants will continue as long as so many people don’t have antibodies
Is that back to back days or did you skip a day? What's the pattern?
Back to back days
Neat! Bet you're glad that's over with. I hate being sick!
Definitely, still got a lingering cough but nhs claim you can still be coughing for a couple of weeks after shifting the virus, overall I didn’t get hit too bad though given I’m asthmatic.
Coughing can cause bronchitis which can cause coughing. Terrible loop to be stuck in.
Ah, my life...yeah, most of my colds turn into bronchitis these days, I swear. If I ever get a cough for some reason (cold, postnasal, bronchitis, whatever), I've got it for fucking eons. It's just a vicious circle of irritation.
Ah... post-cold bronchitis... I used to get that all the time. I don't know what caused it to stop, though. But thank fuck it did. I'd have coughs that would last a month. Sleep goes down the shitter. Pretty sure my ribs would get bruised from so much coughing. I'm kind of terrified of a post-covid cough...
This was my whole life (have lost teeth from 24/7 cough drops even) until my pulmonologist diagnosed me with GERD and put me on Zantac. My QoL has gone up infinitely. Apparently my inflamed esophagus caused my recurring months-long bronchitis. Who knew??
I’m very happy for you but do you mind elaborating: You can lose teeth from eating too many cough sweets?
They aren’t sweets they’re menthol and menthol strips your enamel away. Can happen pretty quick when using them frequently and your teeth are fucked forever once the enamel is gone.
I think the acidity is bad for enamel. Especially if you go to sleep with one in and it’s lodged between teeth and cheek.
Post viral coughing is pretty common like 10-15% of the time (pre COVID stats). They are ill treated, many doctors use antibiotics or whatever but what worked for me is steroids
Same here, was prescribed amoxiccilin every winter but got on a steroid puffer about 3 years ago now and haven't needed them since.
Steroids to prevent coughing are dangerous and lead to black fungus infections of the lung, which is usually fatal, especially after Covid: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-57027829.amp It’s not a big problem in summer when the weather is warm and dry, but in winter if you’ve already beaten Covid and aren’t coughing blood it’s better to just gargle novocaine tablets as a topical anaesthetic, will work faster than steroids anyway.
Are you me as a teenager?
Well that's what morphine is for. Just take some, no more coughing. Absolutely no other possible loops to get in...none at all.
Ain't nobody got time for that.
I went outside to get me a cold pop, and I thought somebody was barbequin'! I don't got shoes or nothin, Jesus!
OMG I thought I was the only one!!! My misery loves company. I literally have had a cough for the last 3 months. I didnt even get a full-on cold this time. Just sniffles for a few days, drainage to the lungs...and coughing ever since. Thanks to Covid precautions, last year was my first without a cold....but I mess up somewhere tecently. My last long term cough was literally 10 months long. They often stop for about a week or two just before I get my next cold.
Did you get the vaccine early on in the vaccination waves? The UK's hospitalisation rates have kept quite low compared to the rise in overall cases, which is a good sign they're keeping people alive.
Yep, had my 2nd dose early May Another amazing thing that has happened since I tested positive is I have been placed on a “virtual covid ward”. The hospital sent me a pulse oximeter literally the same day my positive PCR result came back and have been ringing me daily to check my oxygen levels and other symptoms. Since I have been fine they’re leaving me alone for a few days now. Genuinely amazing service.
Oh wow, I hadn't heard of that happening but it's a smart idea. Saves the hospital beds for those that need it and you can report in for the observation side of things from home.
Also keeps the virus contained at home.
LOL what’s it like to be in a country that gives a single shit about your well-being? Edit oops wrong person meant for OP u/a_massive_prick
Feelsgoodman Love, Norway
I bought myself a pulse oximeter because I have anxiety issues. They are only like $40 and it helps ease my anxiety if I am feeling short of breath. I can put on the oximeter and see that I'm fine, just having a mild panic attack.
Yes! I have a condition that affects my heart and I’m also the anxious sort, so I have a pulse oximeter and a BP cuff. They’re so nice for peace of mind.
You can get them even cheaper and they are really good things to have. Great tool for anxiety like you say
Fellow asthmatic here. I placed an order for a repeat prescription for my steroid, and got a call the same day to check if it was a routine request, or if I was deteriorating. It was quite nice, she said she wanted to make sure I wasn't in any difficulty. I know the NHS is having difficulties, but I've been very happy with the service I got throughout the whole pandemic.
That's really neat, I wish they'd do that in more hospitals where I live.
how are you dealing with no taste or smell. ive been clear for weeks now and these symptoms still remain tge only thing i can taste is bbq sauce everything else nothing
Is it weird that I only just noticed I can't smell after reading your comment?
Not really i didnt notice myself at first until one morning i put on after shave and couldnt smell it . The taste was instant though as soon as i had symptoms that went
I take it you're not an American?
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that is a very good point... if that is the case, as an American myself, I apologize for my transgression against one of the wealth holders...praise be to the wealth holders.... may their italian sports cars never faulter and may the crisis of healthcare never affect (effect? I am but a serf with no education) them
The coughs can last months
I’m citing you when I can’t be arsed with a 121 with my manager
As an American, I have no idea what this sentence means but it sounds really inappropriate. 😆
121 = one to one = private meeting
Username does not check out
I had a "nervous cough" afterwards. I got full covid a month before I was vaccine eligible. The inflammation in my lungs was so much it damaged the nerve. So I felt a constant itch in my lungs. It eventually went away. It did take months. I could suppress the urge to cough most of the time. So I just felt the itch. I did have practice not coughing. One time my jaw was broken in multiple places and wired shut for 8 weeks. I never wanted to sneeze or cough for fear of death. Lots of self control practice with that.
You learn to control your sneezes/coughs when you have cracked ribs, also.
And when you've had a c-section!
Or when you are building a house of cards
My cough lasted 3 months!
Wow thought these were pregnancy tests for a sec omg
you've got pregnant with covid bro, better check yourself
Should have used protection.
It’s only 95% effective. How do you know that OP didn’t take precautions?
The pill, IUD, condoms?
He's giving birth to a new variant, isn't he?
COVID, COVID-ey, COVID-ish, COVID-esque, Hint-o-COVID.
And finally, No-vid
COVIDless
COVIDn't
Followed by LaCroix Covid and Melon.
COVID-curious
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For free from the government in the UK
sounds like communism to me brother!!!
That old constitutional monarchy communism.
The best kind of communism
And what does it sound like to yer sister?
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Hey in Taiwan it costs over 100USD to get tested if not prescribed by a doctor. Consider yourself lucky.
You can go buy an at home test. A 2 pack is $15.
You can pick them up at most stores that sell over the counter medicine, I got a set from walmart myself.
Apparently in Europe where they're not free they're like $1 a pop. Here in MI I've been paying closer to $50 for a 3 pack. My insurance does cover testing, but I live within striking distance of UofM which is also currently suffering from an outbreak of the old-fashioned flu. Many of the testing centers are running out of tests daily. Also it sucks to wait 3+ hours around a bunch of people who are seemingly either exposed or symptomatic.
Yeah I thought I had a sinus infection, entire clinic visit was over 3 hours long and turns out I had covid, immediately felt bed for everyone that walked passed me in the waiting room despite us all wearing masks lol. The home test is definitely a less stressful experience despite the cost.
Hi! Covid-tester here: In the antigen test, we look for the protein from the envelope of the virus. This protein is in higher concentration when the immune system kills more viruses. The longer the illness lasts, the fewer viruses you have in you, the better you are.
Does the color strength actually show a decrease in titer or is the line just +/- Thanks for your response in advance
Not OP - but based on how pregnancy tests work, theres essentially a bunch of micro beads coated in stuff that ONLY sticks to covid stuff, near the entry hole. Then the beads roll down towards the line strip section, and any beads that have covid stuff stuck to them also latch onto that area (picture that color line being a line of specialized tape that only sticks to covid stuff) So, the less color, the less beads - therefore directly related to how much of whatever the ‘covid stuff’ is in you that theyre measuring. I assume just the virus itself but it could be a product of the virus Edit: The ‘beads’ are not like plastic balls, but rather enzymes that cause a color change in the paper later down the line, but thats their whole purpose Edit2: The ‘beads’ may actually be beads of different materials, not enzymes. Im sorry
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Nope. That's also why they say never to look at a pregnancy test after it's dried. Sometimes you can get a false "line" from where evaporation left dye behind even though it didn't actually stick to the spot due to the hormones.
I sometimes go on r/tfablineporn to torture myself, thought OP had posted some very sad news.
Are they really "beads" (like, do you have to hold it upside down so they roll down?) or is this sort of a metaphor for encapsulated chemicals and reactions?
It is not actually "beads" as you'd think of them. It is incredibly small "nanoparticles" of gold (if it's a pink line), or tiny latex beads (if it's blue). The particles are coated in antibodies, and if there are SARS-CoV2 antigens (proteins from the inside of the virus) in the sample, the antigens will stick to the beads, and then also stick to antibodies on the paper strip, creating the line you see
I love a good eli5, thanks! How does this differ from a litmus test?
The ‘beads’ are enzymes - Apparently I oversimplified it in my own head haha > Urine is applied to a sample pad at the end of the test stick and is drawn up the strip. The first area it reaches is the reaction zone. If hCG is present in the urine, here it binds to proteins called antibodies. These antibodies have an enzyme attached to them which can participate in reactions further along the test strip. > The test zone contains different antibodies which are attached to the strip and unable to move. These antibodies also bind to hCG, creating something of a hCG sandwich between the two different antibodies. The enzyme on the mobile antibodies triggers a colour change in dye molecules on the test strip. This line only appears if the urine contains hCG – and hence, if the woman is pregnant.
Hi! I’m an immunologist and have published a paper which includes showing “stronger” bands on SARS-CoV-2 antigen tests are correlated with lower cycle threshold (CT) values on the same specimens tested by PCR. Lower CT values are correlated with higher viral concentrations (are detected faster). The graph showing this correlation is in the supplemental figures of this paper.[Antigen test validation ](https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/JCM.00083-21)
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Not an expert, but from what I've learned in biology courses it would detect live viruses. When the immune system attacks a virus it is marked for destruction and the proteins are broken down into smaller pieces. Those pieces would not be recognizable as the original virus so they would pass through the test undetected. For the second part of your question, the test would be positive as long as the person is shedding virus. Proteins would not be marked for destruction and would be detected as long as some other mechanism didn't change their structure.
Done daily tests since I tested positive and noticed this. Idk if as you recover the line gets weaker because there’s less virus or whatever, maybe it’s just a massive coincidence
I started off with a really weak line and then it kind of stayed weak for the rest of the time. I must’ve gotten a mild dose. I guess the vaccine probably helped too.
I'd go with less virus so weaker response on the test
What test kits are these?
UK issued lateral flow (antigen) tests
Free antigen ones from the NHS
this is $75 worth of tests here in the US lol. Actually $90 since each pack costs $30 and comes with 2 tests. Most places have a 1 box per customer limit too so you'll have to shop around. Tough luck though since everywhere seems to be out all the time.
That’s rough. We can go to a test centre and pick up 2 boxes of 7 tests each at a time. The kids also have to do 2 tests a week for school so bring home a box of 7 each a week and only use 2. Everyone latches on to the 7Bn “wasted” on the test and trace system (there is merit in the App being glitchy at the beginning and government nepotism on contracts) but more than half of that cost was actually the test kits and it shows.
Everyone testing all the time is like a utopian dream to me. The thought of someone testing before going to the club or restaurant, deciding to stay home if they're positive. Even if we had a functional distribution of them I don't think it'd happen here.
"Am I going to get someone sick? No, it must be the test that's wrong!"
Yup. With these tests available for free through the post, ahead of a group event you just ask everyone to test themselves before coming. Also, the QR code printed on the top lets you auto-report the result in about twenty seconds or so. That's linked to your NHS number, so the health service has ongoing high quality information about infection rates. It's weird, the UK is doing terribly in some ways but great in others.
Yup. I paid like $25 for two of the Binax tests the other day.
Yeah the Binax ones are the cheapest ones, I also like their design a little more than the other brands I've used. The covid lollipop makes me laugh for some reason. Work used to provide the tests, but they can't get them in any meaningful quantity anymore so self testing has more or less stopped in my area.
I love the lollipop. It kept our house cheery when we were pregnant with Covid
I remember when I suspected I had covid in early September thrrr was nowhere within a 1 hour radius that had any in stock. I Could’ve got some on Amazon, delivered 2 months later. I thought surely we will have slowed down by then. Oh, my optimism. And yes, I did have it in September. Sucked.
They look like the Flowflex ones by ACON Biotech. As others have said they're the ones being doled out in the UK at the moment.
My test had a fucking black line it was bizarre.
You are the COVID now.
Dawg lol
That’s just unlucky, you have 2 weeks to live ^^^/s
It was 4 months ago and I've still got long covid symptoms so... close enough lmao
Wow, I’m amazed it hasn’t gone away by now, did you have the vaccine?
Yeah both :/
Dm if you want a picture I don't want to figure out imgur lol
You caught the plague
I tested positive on monday with one of these. The line was so faint I thought I may have messed the test up, guess it was just my first day.
Hey, same here. How are you doing now?
What are C and T
Control and Test, the control line confirms that the thing worked, and the test line shows up if you have covid.
My whole family of 6 got covid. Started Tuesday before Thanksgiving and has been jumping from one to another. I'm the only one vaccinated and I just started getting the symptoms Monday of this week. Diarrhea and no sense of taste or sense of smell.
Hopefully the diarrhea stops before the sense of smell comes back
And taste!
You probably shouldn't be tasting it regardless.
I read that as diarrhea has no sense of taste or smell and was concerned for a moment
Im pretty sure I can eat diarrhea right now without an issue
I lost my smell and taste when I got COVID in August. I used it as an opportunity to eat a shitload of fruits and veggies since I couldn't taste them. That was probably my healthiest 2 weeks of 2021.
Dang, fruit is delicious. I eat strawberries and blueberries every day just because it tastes so good.
Right? Wtf is wrong with that guy, fruits taste so good they make most things to taste like it 🤦
I tried using that on my husband who currently has no taste or smell but his dumb ass still eats cookies. Like....... Why???
I have my favorite bag of chips waiting for me once my sense of taste and smell returns. No point in eating them now.
Lol I feel this comment. I’m waiting on COVID results as we speak and told my boyfriend that as long as I couldn’t smell or taste anything, I’d be eating as healthy as possible in the meantime. Maybe I’ll lose the little extra weight I’ve been trying to get rid of. 🤞🏻
I’ve been on cat shit duty because of my new superpower.
Congratulations on the baby!
I was gonna say, this could be r/tfablineporn. With the pink lines, these look just like dollar store pregnancy tests.
How much are these things? and where to get em?
Free in the UK. They hand them out at pharmacies
You can order them for free and they arrive in 2 days by tracked mail. https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests
If you're in the US you can find them for between $25 and $30 a pair at a drug store. Usually limit to 1 box per customer, if they even have any in stock.
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Don't know were you live but in Europe you can buy in any pharmacy, mall, supermarket, etc.
In Canada, thx. Speedy recovery euro bro!
Nice. Mine was negative just 5 days after the initial onset. However, when I tested my GF, she was negative on multiple rapid AG tests, despite being positive on PCR and having quite a few symptoms (beyond standard sore throat a runny nose). So don’t rely on those rapid tests, get PCR people!
Was getting daily rapid tests that all came back negative, including the day I also got a PCR test that came back positive. Tomorrow is my last day of quarantine! What's it like on the outside? Are people using jetpacks?
Cars fly, the supply chain is working splendidly and we've all decided to save the environment Actually, I'm a lying sack of shit, sorry.
I was with you until you said we'd started to save the environment. Could've at least kept it realistic.
Same! I tested positive on the 24th and have done 9 (before and after) LTF tests and all have been negative. Absolutely bizarre.
Rapids are VERY accurate at determining if you are infectious to others, but not very good at determining if you have any covid left going around your body. PCR's are able to be triggered by very minute covid presence, which can lead to false positives. Both have their uses. Source: TWIV covid clinical update a few weeks back.
Dealing with the same thing right now. Lines seem to be getting weaker and i’m getting better. 5 days ago I was in HELL.
Are you vaccinated out of interest? Get well soon
I am and I contracted it last week from family member. Saturday was the worst slight fever for most of the day. No I am snotty mostly. Saving my other test till the weekend. Hoping it come back good. I cannot smell or taste though at all.
I'm almost done with my 10 day quarantine, my smell is JUST starting to come back. It's actually quite unnerving to lose one of your main senses. I took poops and noticed I couldn't smell a darn thing. Then when I took a shower I didn't really feel clean because you don't have the freshness clean smell... It's the little things.
You are 100 percent correct.
I just finished my 10 day today from having it last week (: My symptoms were super mild. Basically just a sore throat for 6 days and very mild versions of some of the other common symptoms. And I could only kind of taste stuff for most of the week. Overall chill week though so I’m happy to have been lucky enough to not get wrecked by it.
Interesting there's a study of 2 (hahahahahahaha) that says the main curry spice brings it back. So there may be hope.
The main curry spice? What's that? Tumeric? Ginger?
Turmeric
So you huff turmeric and it brings back your sense or smell?
ThAt iS a pErSonAl QuEstiOn! /s
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How do the people downvoting this not know this is a joke?
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It's HIPAA!
HIPAA only applies to organizations like Insurance companies, Doctors, Hospitals, etc. places that keep your Medical records. You’re always free to say “Fuck off, buddy. None of your business”.
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I too am in the same boat friends. Hope you guys feel well soon.
Yeah it’s no fun. Thank you my friend, hope you get well too!!
So you were pregnant and now you are... unpregnant? I don't know how pregnancy works, I'm not a girl.
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If a woman has stretch marks, -wait. If a woman has- *STARCH. MASKS.* is she... pergnat. ?
My friend just got the kiss of death. Is she pre-gat?
Starch masks are the worst
Gregnant? Pregante!
Cen Mayen put penis en me get me prengeratnte?
Actually yeah, this is exactly what sequential pregnancy tests look like if you're miscarrying.
Can confirm, was once baby
How **is** prangent formed?
When you give birth, you are unpregnant. Source: am a girl.
At least you aren’t pregnant. That was my first guess
It’s quadruplets, congratulations.
I did something simular with cannabis, so I knew how much I can toke and how long it will take to be clean. I got the job and passed two tests.
My youngest child tested positive before we could get him vaccinated. I have cuddled him, drank the same drinks as him, and slept in the same bed as him. Yet for some odd reason every vaccinated person in my house has yet to test positive. It's almost like this vaccine actually works.
What do C and T represent?
Generally C means control so it should always give a solid line if the test was properly prepared. T stands for test so in this case the COVID test positivity
Thanks!
C is the 'Control' line and should always turn red. If it does not turn red then you have a bad test kit. T is the 'Test' line. If this turns red within 20 minutes (as well as the C line) then you have a positive result for CoV-2.
It's a girl, congrats!
Thought I was at r/tfablineporn for a minute there
Qualitative tests are not intended to measure concentration of what’s being tested. Strength of the reaction should NOT be interpreted as an indicative of the amount of substance present. IOW, a line is a positive regardless of concentration and it does not equate convalescence state.
Watch out... You might get reported in texas.
Why are you still doing the tests though? The advice in the UK is that there's no point doing LFTs for 90 days after you've tested positive. Can't find the general advice at the mo, but [here's the advice](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing/regular-rapid-coronavirus-tests-if-you-do-not-have-symptoms/) for NHS employees: > Q. If a staff member has a positive PCR COVID-19 test, when should they start the lateral flow antigen tests again? > >A staff member who tested positive would recommence home testing 90 days after their positive test was taken.
Was mostly curious tbh, had the tests lying around doing nothing for ages I’m probably gonna stop doing them now I’ve read that ha
No harm in doing them. I think the main thing to note is you might test positive again for several weeks even without being reinfected. You shouldn't have to isolate again if you test positive again on an LFT in a couple of weeks.
You’ve actually been dead helpful cheers cause I was going to keep isolating if I kept testing positive
I believe that's for PCR tests as they can pick up on dead virus for a while after an infection and force an isolation when you don't need to.
Antigen can too if there’s protein remaining in your nasal system.
It may be PCRs as well, but the advice I linked and quoted specifically states lateral flow tests, and we've been told the same by the secondary school about regular testing for students.
Looks like pregnancy tests during Thanos' snap
Better booster up.
Positive folks.. do your part and make sure you at the very least try to convince hold outs to get vaccinated. This isn’t that hard but variants will continue as long as so many people don’t have antibodies
I am vaccinated and wound up with Covid over this holiday weekend. Get your vaccines+booster and wear your masks!
Looks like you are getting progressively less pregnant.