Lateral flow tests

Whiff you may have already had it last year and not even known it, 10’s of 1,000’s people don’t even get a sore throat?

Of course there's a point in taking them! The only, "failing" is the occasional false positive which can be corrected within 24 hrs by taking a PCR test. So sorry for your inconvenience
If their prevailing fault was to throw out false negatives, of which there is no evidence, then you might have a point.

Should probably take them but don't, because the false-positive rate is too high; though I can WFH, partner can't and wouldn't get paid if he had to isolate with me. OTOH we've both had our full set of jabs and I have taken the PCR tests whenever the Zoe app asks me to; several times so far because of my hay fever, and all resolutely negative. If we were in an area of high covid risk I would regularly do the tests, but we're not - I only know one local person who got it, and that was back in January. It helps to live in a bit of a backwater!

Twice a week for work. If practice makes perfect I should stop gagging soon.

Yes, twice a week because I work in a school. All negative so far.

I have had both vaccines, but as a shielder have been advised to do lateral tests twice weekly by NHS Scotland Shielding Service.

This morning I completed a survey for them on taking lateral flow tests. I'm all for any assistance we can offer to help research.

I too can't fathom your reasoning, GrannyRose. Because of increased testing in Glasgow, people who have been asymptomatic have tested positive and measures taken to try to limit the spread of the virus.
No wonder the virus is spreading, if some posters think we should stop testing.

JaneJudge
I don't think you can stop the gagging! I am just pleased I'm allowed to do my own tests, I couldn't cope with someone else doing them

Strangely, I’m finding the opposite. I had mine done for several weeks by staff prior to being allowed in for a care home visit. In recent weeks I’ve been allowed to self test at home prior to my visit. Now I gag every time!

I have been doing them for about a month and all negatives so far. I manage them okay but after doing the nostril swab I sneeze about 10 times. I have been given a different blood pressure tablet and so I have to take my blood pressure every
other day it's a bit like doing hospital tests in my house at the moment.

I don't think you can stop the gagging! I am just pleased I'm allowed to do my own tests, I couldn't cope with someone else doing them

We just plough through the gagging . It sounds horrendous in this house twice a week!

rubysong

How do I prevent gagging when I swab the back of the throat. I did one and was nearly sick? (It was negative.)

I also struggle when using the swab in my mouth. I checked on the NHS website and it said that if you have an issue with gagging, you can take samples from both nostrils instead. I always seem to sneeze though when I rotate the swab up my nose!

I went to the dentist and hygienist a couple of days ago. As they would be so close to me, I did a test before I went. When I told the dentist he said that, as I had had both jabs, it was not necessary to do tests.

How do I prevent gagging when I swab the back of the throat. I did one and was nearly sick? (It was negative.)

Franbern

Problem with these LFT is that they are so very inefficient and get so many flase positives. At my daughters school, two of her pupils got positive results, which proved negative when proper test carried out. A few days later teacher at one of my g.sons school got positive test -which would have meant him going into isolation over next weeks half term when his family are going on holiday - proper test showed this to be a negative.

If we cannot trust these test results, seem little point in doing them.

There are very few false positives. False negatives are far more likely.

GrannyRose15

The longer we continue testing, the longer restrictions will be in place.
It's time to get back to normal.

I don't understand how you work that. Infection won't go away if we stop testing.

The longer we continue testing, the longer restrictions will be in place.
It's time to get back to normal.

I volunteer at a large theatre and we have to do one before every shift.

Just ordered mine from NHS yesterday, they arrived this morning

We are. Done 2 so far both negative.

The hospital I work in has recommended ( but not demanded) all patients attending outpatients should performa LFT at home before attending. Before this recommendation all patients ( and carers where needed) had their temperatures checked on entry - which is not very specific and would miss the presymptomatic. The tests seem to be easier to get hold of now. Until we get a more sensitive and accurate easy to use home Covid test, they might be better than nothing.

Them same can be said for other tests Franbern. My last kidney infection the urine sample said no infection but knew I had one so had blood tests and they showed I had a kidney infection.

Not having tests because they may not be 100% reliable is a poor excuse for not doing the tests.

The other test I had done at a test centre even though I hadn't any symptoms as we where encourage here in the north west to have tests done with or without symptoms this was before Christmas. Since then I have done 3 home tests once because my family all had Covid and the other twice because I developed a cough.

I will continue the lateral flow tests but if I get a positive result or develope symptoms I will do the other test .

I’m taking the lateral flow tests as it was said it would help statisticians to monitor outbreaks. I feel like I’m doing my bit by taking the test twice a week. All negative so far.

Problem with these LFT is that they are so very inefficient and get so many flase positives. At my daughters school, two of her pupils got positive results, which proved negative when proper test carried out. A few days later teacher at one of my g.sons school got positive test -which would have meant him going into isolation over next weeks half term when his family are going on holiday - proper test showed this to be a negative.

If we cannot trust these test results, seem little point in doing them.

I’ve been doing weekly for the past 10 weeks prior to a care home visit.

I used to have to turn up 30 mins prior to visit for staff to do test then I’d be allowed in after negative results. They’re now happy for me to do it myself before I set off to visit.

I did one yesterday my eustachian tubes are blocked again my grandaughter lovingly gave me her snotty nose causing me to be stuffed up with a tickle cough in my throat. I know what this is have had it many times before but no big deal to test
We also do tests monthly for ONS study
But will pick up more lateral flow tests they have a pile in our chemists
My daughter orders hers direct from NHS they come the next day