Lateral flow tests

It is a minor inconvenience and has identified the virus in many cases...so even with the false readings, why not take them?

Incidentally my DH has had two hospital and one GP appointment recently and NONE of them has asked him to take a LFT.

Yep, we have been doing them weekly too, and especially if we have to see elderly relatives or take them to hospital appointments etc.

We did lateral tests before & after a long weekend away - so we felt more at ease going to b&b ( as wouldn’t have wanted to put their business at risk ) & after visiting in door places whilst we were away. Both tests negative- was easy to do once we had done the first one . Would certainly redo for further trips

I do one before I meet up with people. It’s a way of trying to keep others safe. I think people who don’t do them are being very selfish.

When we first started doing swab tests for the ONS, way back in 2020, the instructions said that if the throat swab didn’t make you gag, then you weren’t doing it properly.

I was told by my pharmacist when I went to get some tests that I didn't need them if I'd had 2 jabs. I did get some though.

I do the nasal instant tests every morning at work and the throat send away test weekly or if symptomatic. I take Strepsils into work for myself and my colleagues to take after doing the throat test as it seems helpful for some. I really don’t like doing the throat send away test as I have a very strong gag reflex, oh how I hope it is all over soon!

I've only done the tests weekly (not twice a week) as we seldom mix with anybody and only go out to the shops once a week. all negative and we've had both vaccines
i would test twice if we went out more

Admum3

I was told by my pharmacist when I went to get some tests that I didn't need them if I'd had 2 jabs. I did get some though.

It’s so hard to know what to believe, my pharmacist told me I should continue using the tests even after my two jabs as I could still be a symptomatic and transmit Covid to others. I would have thought that pharmacists would be giving out the same, correct information!

Both my husband and I do lateral flow tests twice a week. I’ve been doing them since they first became available to care home workers last year and all results have been negative - no false positives.

I did one yesterday which was negative.
A friend suggested doing the nose swabs (each nostril) as the throat swab would be difficult for me, I thought we had to do both.
I feel a responsibility towards others and it felt good to know I was negative.
I'll make a point of doing the test every Saturday now, I'm double jabbed and not mixing a lot, although that will change.
Reporting the result isn't straightforward, I have the app but had to go online, which was duly acknowledged.

Teacheranne

Admum3

I was told by my pharmacist when I went to get some tests that I didn't need them if I'd had 2 jabs. I did get some though.

It’s so hard to know what to believe, my pharmacist told me I should continue using the tests even after my two jabs as I could still be a symptomatic and transmit Covid to others. I would have thought that pharmacists would be giving out the same, correct information!

I have been advised that as someone who is immunisuppressed, despite having had two vaccinations, I may still be very vulnerable.
Research has shown that my medication may prevent me from getting the full effect of the vaccine. Therefore, I will continue to test myself and be extremely careful.
I would have thought a pharmacist would have been well aware some medication can affect the efficacy of the vaccine.

I do them if I am meeting others indoors or meeting and staying with family or if I am travelling any distance. I really don't want to put others at risk. I am so pleased with the number of people who are also doing very similar.

Naughtynanny, at last, someone with common sense
Some people really don’t get it do they. The Government says have the vaccine, get back to normal. Then they say we may have to postpone June 21st lifting of restrictions
They give you freedom then move the goalpost
Stop listening to the media and get back to living
Life is too short to hide behind a mask and constantly gelling hands
If you do catch anything your immune system will no longer be able to fight it.

Olive53
If you do catch anything your immune system will no longer be able to fight it.

Like Naughtynanny you are missing the point. Have you no consideration at all for the vulnerable in your community whose immune systems are compromised due to illness, drug treatments etc? They are in a very vulnerable position and have barely been beyond their own doorstep since last March.

Is it really too much to ask for everyone to think beyond themselves and all do our bit to try to protect others. Those of us who could be circulating symptom free with the covid virus could infect a very vulnerable person who may not survive.

I really do feel despair at the attitude of some folk on this thread.

Twice a week since we are asked to do so. Thanks for the tip about both nostrils rather than back of throat

Grannynannywanny, I too feel despair at the selfishness of some people on here.
However, I suspect that nothing can be done to persuade them to think of others, rather than themselves.
If they don't test, how will they ever know that they may be asymptomatic and unknowingly infect and perhaps consequently cause loss of life, as well as putting those who treat them also at risk ?
The virus will continue spread until everyone takes responsibility for helping to stop the spread.

No.

The virus will continue spread until everyone takes responsibility for helping to stop the spread

I agree Marydoll. Sadly there are too many fully signed up members of the “I’m Alright Jack” club circulating in our communities.

Yes, we have them at home and also have a test every week before visiting relative in a care home.

We do a test every Friday, we live one mile away from Bolton so we're still being extra careful. Only meeting up with '2 jabbed relatives' , no pubs etc, early food shop in quiet shops. Only trouble is the reporting website wouldn't work (prob my fault) but will try again!

The lateral flow tests are not very accurate so I see no reason to bother with them unless one of us is showing symptoms - and to be honest we'd likely book a PCR test in that case. We are both double vaccinated and on rare trips out are fully complying with mask wearing and social distancing. We are not going anywhere that is busy for the time being in any event and have no visitors to our home except our single bubble friend (who is even more careful than we are). As I understand it, they are particularly poor at detecting asymptomatic cases so I can't see why this would be the reason for using them.

Yes, we are doing these twice a week before seeing family or friends, I think it gives an extra feeling of security although we still don't go far and continue to do online shopping.

Have one 'cooking' at the mo as i had a gardener here yesterday afternoon to quote for some work.
Even though we both wore masks who knows where else he had been.