Got tested today. It is NOT that bad!!

[Laffy Kat]

I kept hearing how horrible it was, swab up the nose as far as it will go, etc. Well, yes, they do stick a swab up your nose right up to your nasopharynx and then they wiggle it around for 10 seconds, but it's not that bad. It's not pleasant and you can certainly feel it but it doesn't last that long. Mostly, it makes you want to sneeze.

So for anyone who is putting off testing because they heard the test was bad--you'll be fine. Do it.

[onecaliberal]

1. I don't know how you were fortunate enough but they don't even test people here who have it.

[FBaggins]

4. How do you know they have it if they aren't tested? Nt

[onecaliberal]

5. I know of people home with all the symptoms

Trying desperately to get tested and have been told they don’t meet the criteria. This is a common story in this city

[FBaggins]

7. That doesn't mean that "they have it"

The symptoms are common to lots of viruses.

Almost half of those tested in NY have been positive for the virus... but the other 55% or so have been sick enough to qualify for the test... it’s just that they were sick with something else.

Here in NC, that’s the vast majority of even those who qualified to be tested.

[onecaliberal]

8. Well you damn sure don't have it if you can't get tested.

California has tested the least of almost anywhere. It’s no surprise this is a minority majority county.

There are ZERO test sites in the entire county. ZERO.

[tazkcmo]

52. And that's the whole point.

No or inadequate testing. It's why we're all at home.

[Laffy Kat]

10. I keep hearing that and it's so discouraging.

And the thing is, I KNOW I don't have it. I told the doctor that I only had a URI with an asthma flare but he still isolated me. I can either wait another five days to go back to work or I can get tested, so I opted for the test. Plus, there was another employee in the same boat as I am and for some reason they wouldn't order a test for her. It seems so arbitrary. I don't understand.

[onecaliberal]

15. From what I understand here is the health department decides.

[Laffy Kat]

17. Does your personal healthcare provider recommend and then the HD decides? nt

[onecaliberal]

20. Yes, but in the one case the doctor wanted the test and it still has not been done.

[Laffy Kat]

21. Keep bugging everyone.

People have got to advocate for themselves from here on out.

[onecaliberal]

24. She definitely is.

[MFM008]

41. My doctor

Ordered 3 for me.
Covid.
Strep
Flu.
I had been fighting something off for 3 weeks.
Felt worse today.
My son had strep so if its anything i hope thats it
Wont know till tues or weds on covid.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

2. "Putting off testing."

[Merlot]

19. I know. Like, for real?

[Skittles]

26. they must have thought it would be like.....a colonoscopy

[RhodeIslandOne]

33. Which are not bad

It’s the prep that sucks.

[Laffy Kat]

38. As I said below, it's more like a Pap test, LOL. nt

[Skittles]

40. I really highly doubt that

maybe if they scraped your nostril with a fingernail file

[Laffy Kat]

42. Well, just my opinion. nt

[a la izquierda]

44. I always feel like my brain is being scraped when I get a pap.

My doc says I'm a poor candidate for an IUD as a result.

[Laffy Kat]

45. I didn't mean to sound so cavalier.

I was half-joking with comparison, it's only the process that's similar.

[Skittles]

60. yeah I know

[BusyBeingBest]

51. I know...I thought you had to have symptoms and get a doctor's order.

It's not open to the general asymptomatic public who doesn't work in healthcare.

[customerserviceguy]

3. Naw

I'll just stay hunkered down for now. I get nosebleeds pretty easily from my medications, no sense in inviting one.

[kairos12]

6. Good for you. Our state basically stopped testing, I

think to make the numbers low to placate Trump.

[Laffy Kat]

11. This wasn't through the state, it was through the HMO where I work.

The testing center called me yesterday and gave me a choice of three times they had available; once booked they told me where to show up, although I already knew. They have a tent sent up on the outside of the clinic. I must say it was extremely well organized. I drove up, parked where it said to, and called the number on the sign at the parking place. They told me to go to the opening of the tent and wait for a couple of minutes. A nurse came out to make sure I was masked, squirted some hand sanitizer on my palms and escorted me inside. They took my B/P, temp, pulse ox level, and the doctor asked me a few questions. The nurse told me to sit in a recliner and explained exactly what she was going to do. I was in and out in less than five minutes. They only take in one patient at a time. Everyone was real nice and supportive.

[kairos12]

12. Sounds like a good setup Laffy Kat. I'm glad you got it done.

[Laffy Kat]

14. Me too, but I feel like there are others who need it worse.

One thing that concerns me a little: I haven't been that active this week since I'm under the weather and isolating. When I got back home from my three mile, twenty-minute trip, I was exhausted. Wonder how I'll do putting in an 8-hour day at work now?

[UTUSN]

9. K&R

[Hotler]

13. I thought only the wealthy and first responders were getting tested.

I guess I'll run up to Walgreens and get it. I'll report back.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

[Laffy Kat]

16. It's through my work since I'm an "essential" patient-facing employee on quarantine.

Part of me wonders if it's because they want my ass back at work ASAP.

[Hotler]

18. Just having fun. Be well and safe. nt

[SheltieLover]

27. Hi Laffy

That is likely it - they want you back working.

I hope you are ok!

So, do you remain in quarantine until result is in? How long do you have to wait for results?

I read today CDC has revised reporting guidelines to include clinical symptoms, I think with a requirement of possible exposure.

Keeping you in healing thoughts!

[Laffy Kat]

28. I'm supposed to be in quarantine until Wednesday.

The 20 minutes (total) I spent going to get the test was the first time I've been out of the house or yard in what seems like forever. If the test comes back negative--and I know it will--I can go back Monday. I miss my co-workers, so I'll be glad to return even though it's stressful because, well, it's a clinic.

[SheltieLover]

29. Keeping all paws 🤞 here!

I'm.glad to know you are certain you don't have it! Scary stuff! Stay well.

[Laffy Kat]

30. You too, Sheltie.

BTW, how many doggos do you have?

[SheltieLover]

32. just 1

1 pit 🐶 & 1 🐯 (the queen lol)

you?

[Laffy Kat]

34. Two mutts.

One is my 12-year-old deaf rescue, a Catahoula (my soul mate); and the other, I still call the puppy even though she's 2-1/2, is a mix of what looks like border collie and sheltie. She's the first hearing dog I've had in twenty years. My first deaf rescue, an Aussie/heeler mix, died a few years ago at 15. I also have a kitty cat who hates and torments both dogs.

[SheltieLover]

39. Oh our cat hates this dog

She looks so disgusted with him...indescribable, but I'm sure you know "the look."

Awesome that you have your soul mate & another -- part Sheltie 😍. And that you have deaf dogs. I've never known a deaf dog. It must be different living with them. Is their eyesight stronger to compensate?

Sorry to hear about loss of your pup too. 😢

[Laffy Kat]

47. I haven't noticed their eyesight to be any more keen, but their noses are!

And they are 10x more observant. They will watch you like a hawk and know your physical queues in no time flat. You train them with hand signals instead of voice and they catch on quickly. They bark less and respond to visual incongruences instead of sounds. I'd forgotten what it's like to have a hearing dog and as much as I love my puppers, she will be my last non-deaf rescue, because, the barking! My God, the barking drives me crazy. She's just being a dog, but it is so loud.

[onecaliberal]

23. If my employer is going to require me to be in a room with people that run all over without

Having been tested, they are putting me and my immunocompromised husband at risk and who knows who else. I’m sorry but it’s a risk I am NOT willing to take. We don’t know who really has had it or where it is if we are not testing.

[Caliman73]

22. It is kind of bad. But that should NEVER stop people who can get tested from doing it.

I got tested yesterday. It was painful but as Laffy said, brief. It is good to know that you do not have the virus. I have been having respiratory issues in the last week but no fever. Yesterday I developed a low grade fever. They checked everything and based on my symptoms they were reasonably sure I did not have it, but because I have some health risks, they tested me to be sure.

I came back negative which is a relief. I was more worried about my family who is stuck in the house with me.

It is worth it despite the discomfort. I also got a strep swab so got it in my nose and my throat. Not Fun!

[Laffy Kat]

25. You already got the results?

Wow! They told me 2-4 days. Anyway, glad got you got tested and are clear. I hope you feel better soon. This is a good time just chill and rest.

[winstars]

31. "putting off testing" I have not heard anyone, anywhere say that. Ever.

I never heard that it was "bad" either.

But thanks for sharing your experience with us...

[Laffy Kat]

36. Maybe "putting off" was a poor choice of words.

I meant not wanting to get tested. I have a co-worker who decided against the test after exposure when she learned what the test entailed. I texted her today right after my test to tell her it wasn't so bad. She replied this evening that she had contacted her provider to say she'd changed her mind, but they won't order her test now because she returned to work a week ago following her quarantine and she's not symptomatic. She missed her chance.

[winstars]

50. All good my friend. I just hadn't heard of anyone not wanting to be tested...

[dewsgirl]

35. That illustration has me freaked out, it looks like they are

swabbing your brain.

[Laffy Kat]

37. No, no, just your nasopharnyx.

You know what it reminds me--and this is kind of weird--but it reminds me of a Pap test, except at the opposite end. Paps are unpleasant but don't last long. And at least with the COVID test, you can leave your pants on, LOL.

[dewsgirl]

54. I hate seeing the instruments beforehand, I go out of

my way not to look at the Gyn. office.

[DFW]

43. I'd love to get tested

Just today it was announced in Düsseldorf (the adjacent big city to us) that testing was up to 800 people a day. That means in about three years, if they don't take weekends or holidays off, they'll have been able to test almost everybody!

[Laffy Kat]

48. IMO, everyone should be able to get a test at any time.

Soon, I think, we'll be able to be tested for antibodies.

[DFW]

53. At the current pace, it will be many months before that is possible, at bsst

Either a way is found to test on a much greater scale than is now possible, and with quicker results, or the world's economy will collapse.

Eight weeks ago, I could travel to any place in Europe or North America, stay in any hotel that had room, eat at any restaurant that had a free table, and go visit anyone I wanted to.

Today, I can't leave my little German town. Most hotels in Europe and North America are closed, and so are the restaurants. Offices and manufacturing facilities are either on reduced schedules or closed altogether, and many medical facilitiies are operating well beyond their human and material capacity.

Current statistics on infection and fatalities are the equivalent of standing at the edge of a forest and saying you can see and count the number of trees there are in it.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

46. I assume it's like a swab test for influenza.

It definitely surprised me in the past, when a nurse stuck it so deep in my nose, but it really wasn’t that bad.

A little forewarning from that nurse would’ve been nice, that’s all.

[Laffy Kat]

49. I suspect it's identical.

I've never had an influenza test, although I bet it's the same.

[Demsrule86]

55. I thought it hurt...my nose hurt for hours afterward too...but then I am a baby.

[Laffy Kat]

56. Gosh, it didn't me. I just wanted to sneeze for a few minutes.

I bet some testers are more gentle than others.

[Gothmog]

57. Any results yet?

[Laffy Kat]

59. Nope. I'm hoping by tomorrow so I can go back to work on Monday. nt

[Gothmog]

61. Good luck

[Laffy Kat]

62. Thanks. This is also the first day I feel like my cough is drying up.

It sounds better and is not as frequent.

[Flaleftist]

58. I had a similar test last year when I was admitted for an injury.

I'm not sure that they were testing, but it was a swab up the nose. There is a picture going around that makes it appear more unpleasant than is really is.