Have you ever had a COVID-19 test?

[NurseJackie]

If so, can you tell us what the experience was like? Was it painless, or was there discomfort? Did you have to pay for it in full, or was it covered by your insurance? Was it at a doctor's office? Pharmacy? Drive-through? How long did you have to wait for the results?



POLL QUESTION: Have you ever had a COVID-19 test?

92 votes, 0 passes | Time left: Unlimited
	I have not had a COVID test.
	32 (35%)
	Yes (positive results)
	1 (1%)
	Yes (negative results)
	58 (63%)
	Yes (inconclusive results)
	0 (0%)
	Yes (still waiting for results)
	1 (1%)
	0 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
Show usernames Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll

[KY_EnviroGuy]

1. Kick. n/t

.........

[Freddie]

2. Drive-thru at CVS

Make an appointment online, no doctors note or symptoms needed. I got the test because I was exposed. Took 3 days to get results online. Yes you have to put the swab pretty far up your nose (both nostrils), you will be directed by the pharmacist. Not really painful.
Was paid in full, no copay, by my insurance (BC Personal Choice).

[NurseJackie]

11. You performed the swabbing yourself? Interesting...

... was it inside at their clinic-like private sitting area? Or drive through (in your own vehicle)?

[Freddie]

15. Drive thru in my car

Yes, did swabbing myself, observed by the pharmacist.

[SlogginThroughIt]

53. I did the same. It was no big deal.

[Ms. Toad]

57. This the "nose tickle," rather than the "brain tickle" version.

I've had it 3 times (2-PCR, and one antigen (rapid test)).

The "brain tickle" is done by a trained medical practitioner and goes much farther in - to the clear back of the sinus cavity.

[beaglelover]

59. That's the type I had. The doctor did it and did each nostril for about 10 seconds.

It was very hard not to sneeze. And was not exactly comfortable. LOL!

[Ms. Toad]

62. Fortunately, I have not had to have the "brain tickle" version.

The "nose tickle" is not bad.

[Throck]

3. Yes, 3 so far.

Just because you had one in June and were clean, don't mean in July you didn't get it.

[NurseJackie]

12. That's a good point.

[Ms. Toad]

60. Three, so far.

One because I had mild inexplicable symptoms. I was pretty sure it wasn't COVID, but the symptoms appeared right after my aunt died and I wanted to avoid infecting anyone at the funeral/mass.

The second and third were because my daughter was exposed, unmasked, to COVID for several hours.

The first two were at Rite Aid (swabbed my nose at the drive-through window) - they took between 24 and 36 hours for results.
The third was at work - self-swab, results in about 20 minutes. This was an antigen test - the same kind that Trump uses . . . and we know how accurate that test is. It came with a 2-page explanation that it was not FDA approved.

ETA: No cost for any of them; didn't have to provide insurance information. The slots at our Rite-Aid fill up pretty quickly - there seem to be only 4 slots/day.

[Just_Vote_Dem]

4. I've had three in the past few months

All negative-phew! Went through CVS once and twice through local government in Palm Beach County, Florida. First time was a local fire department sponsored, the guy really didn't go too far up my nose.

Second time it was outside as well, and I got stuck in the pouring rain-my fault for believing a weather forecast in South Florida, heh. This time I thought the lady was trying to tickle my brain, she went so far up, LOL. Only briefly uncomfortable.

Last time was CVS drive-thru, with a relative. It was free, but they want your medical insurance info, if you have any. This was do-it-yourself, they give you instructions and you insert the swab yourself. My brain did not appreciate the tickle

[Shrek]

5. They tested me in the hospital before my heart surgery a month ago

They put a swab really far up my nose for a few seconds. It wasn't really painful, but the sensation was unusual.

The results were negative and they were reported to me the next day.

Not sure about the cost; I'm sure it's one of the line-items in the blizzard of bills and insurance claims related to the surgery.

[cally]

6. I had a test a month ago as I was running a low grade fever

I called my insurance advice nurse and was told to take test. While waiting to talk to nurse, I went online to county covid website and booked a free test for the next morning. My insurance would pay for a test but I had already booked the county test. I went to a pop up (held one day a week) testing site at a local church and was signed in and went to a technician who tested me. It was annoying but not painful. Took 5 minutes for entire visit. I got negative results by email about 12 hours later.

[NurseJackie]

16. Wow! Only 12 hours for the results? That's fantastic!!

I'm glad it was negative!

[cally]

38. Yes. Northern California

But it is very hard to find a test now with the upsurge in cases

[RussBLib]

7. Mine was just an antibody test

I was hoping I would have some antibodies to show that I had had it, but no.

[Wounded Bear]

41. Somewhat a different issue, but both tests should be widely available...

We'll never get a real handle on this until there is widely available, fast, accurate testing of viral infection and antibody presence.

[RussBLib]

46. hopefully Biden will crank up the testing

Trump: "Slow the testing down, please". You stupid fuck!

Oh yeah, my antibody test was covered by insurance at 100%.

[FloridaBlues]

8. It wasn't painful. My employer paid for it since I work in infectious disease

as an RN we have to get tested and personally I don't mind getting the test.
I hope we can get more rapid home test in the near future by the Biden administration.

[Rustynaerduwell]

9. I get the nasopharyngeal test once a week.

First time I squinted mid-swipe. VERY uncomfortable but not painful. Ever since I consciously relax all my face muscles when they pull out the swab. I highly recommend doing that. Not so bad then. Now the only inconvenience is the five minutes or so it takes for the whole thing to get done.

[lisa58]

10. A coworker's daughter tested positive so I called

The local doc-in-the-box and they said I should be tested. I gave them all my information online and drove through to be tested. The swab up the nose - unpleasant at best. I have yet to be charged and I may not be - NJ may have free testing at certain locations. It was negative

[tanyev]

13. Drive through at my doctor's office.

Last edited Sat Nov 28, 2020, 10:45 AM - Edit history (1)

Required before I came in for a regular appointment. Swab up the nose, but the diameter was really, really tiny. Barely felt it. In hindsight I'm suspicious whether they even got an effective sample.

ETA: Results back in 2-3 days.

[brewens]

14. Three negative. Tested by the blood center I donate platelets with. If you're just curious because

you had a cold last spring or something like that, you can donate blood to find out. I won't go in again until I am vaccinated though. Their safety precautions are okay, but I recently retired from there and know all the staff are not taking precautions. If they tell me they need me as a designated donor for a specific patient, which has happened before, I would probably do it. It would be hard to say no in that case.

I think they still want plasma from recovered COVID patients.

[sagesnow]

17. Had a free, drive thru Covid-19 test here in SW Iowa

Went to https://www.testiowa.com/en and signed up for a next day appointment. Took a copy of a scanner code which they scanned through my car window. A Nurse in full surgical scrub gear and face shield did a nasal swab test. The test felt like a quick pinch in the back of my throat. Took less than 5 minutes. Would definitely recommend it to fellow Iowans and will repeat it if necessary.

[Iris]

18. Rapid test - drive-thru at Walgreens

Did my own swab. Not as uncomfortable as I expected. Results (negative) in less than an hour.

[NurseJackie]

19. That's amazing that you got your results back so quickly!! I've read accounts where the results...

... weren't ready for days and days, up to a week or more.

[Iris]

28. When did you have the test? Mine was with the past 2 weeks

Maybe it's faster now?

[NurseJackie]

31. I haven't had a Covid test. It's just that I'd previously heard accounts of long waits...

... before the results were available. In some areas it seems that the results come in faster than others.

[tymorial]

20. I had one and so did my wife.

I have family members that have gone through CVS. I don't know what it's like else where but the pharmacist did not observe the test. I have been in the pharmacy area where a pharmacy technician talks the person through the procedure. I question sample quality in these to be honest.

Anyway, our test was performed at a local urgent care facility by a doctor. My father in law passed away over the summer and we had to fly down to be with my in laws. When we returned we had to quarantine or get tested. We got tested. It wasn't painful, just uncomfortable having a swab pushed into my nasal cavity.

It took 11 days for the test result and we quarantined during that entire time anyway so it ended up practically useless

[TheFarseer]

21. Yes, THREE flipping times

A kid at my child’s daycare got it so work wanted me to get tested as if that made any sense. Then, a coworker got it so I had to get tested. That happened twice and that made more sense. Negative all 3 times.

Edited to say I got rapid tested because I’ve heard horror stories of people that get their results back weeks later. People I know personally. You get results in 20 minutes. I’ve had the test where they just swab your nose with a q-tip and the one where they put the thing way up you nose. That is uncomfortable but not that bad.

[GusBob]

22. I have had 5 so far. The 4th was the scariest

Our clinic has strict COVID rules

For my 4th test I was part of a pool of 5 subjects .....pool testing they take 5 and run them all thru the reagent. If that pool test comes back positive they retest each one separate. It is an effort to screen clinic employees at less cost ( fewer tests over all)

Our pool test was positive so they called and said: isolate until we retest each one. It was the longest 45 mins of my life! Turns out my sample was negative BUT , but I say, the positive test from my pool was a co worker with whom I had close contact with the day before

So yummy, 2 weeks of self quarantine for me. Again. My 4th quarantine! 3 times from clinic exposure and once from travel

My 5th test was like all the others, nasal swab results in an hour and all have been negative

[getagrip_already]

23. I took the saliva test before a colonoscopy.......

But it's actually tough producing the amount of saliva they need. You aren't allowed to eat or drink anything for hours beforehand. You can't even have water.

I over produce saliva, and it was still tough. I can imagine what someone with dry mouth would go through. neg result.

[Chiyo-chichi]

55. I had the saliva test as well... and it is surprisingly diffucult to produce that much.

We are told not to eat, drink, or smoke for half an hour before we come in.
I work for a university that does random mitigation testing of students & staff. My first one about 2 months ago was negative. I have another scheduled for Monday.
Though I'm working from home and could request an exemption, I do it anyway for peace of mind.
My daughter is a student--and though her classes have been online, she had to do the same test at the beginning of the semester & she REALLY found it difficult to produce enough saliva. And she was around more people that she ever had been or will be during the pandemic at the testing site, so that also stressed her out. She was neg. as well.

[hwmnbn]

24. I went to emergency room for another issue...

and they gave me a nasal swab test before they would admit me. Once I was admitted on the second day they tested me again and results came back negative.

This was at the VA hospital.

[GreenPartyVoter]

25. Swabbed for a medical procedure. Very uncomfortable, as my

sinuses are always swollen due to allergies.

[central scrutinizer]

26. The blood bank did an antibody test

They ran an incentive program in September and October to encourage people to donate. Mine came back negative. Currently not doing testing for Covid-19.

[mucifer]

27. I have a few patients at a nursing facility so I have to get tested every other week

and the hospice I work for has rapid testing in our office. The testing is only for staff working in facilities requiring testing.

So for symptomatic hospice staff we have to go to the same testing as everyone else.

[SPDem]

29. Blood antibody test only.

It was positive. I had 12 hours of flu like symptoms and couldnt get a nose swab for 3 days without being seen in urgent care. I work in a lab that runs covids and was relatively sure I wouldn't get positive at that point even if I had had it.

At my work, availability of reagents has only recently become stable. We were were constantly changing between different testing platforms, who got an inhouse test vs who got a send out, where our send outs went, and how long results take. We currently sit at four hours for an inhouse test and 2-5 days for a send outs.

I haven't seen the bill but am of the understanding it will be paid in full.

If you've had it and have antibodies, there is a serious shortage of convalescent plasma. On a side note biolife also pays well for the plasma with covid antibodies because they hare making some other kind of antibody therapies although I dont know what specifically.

[woodsprite]

30. I did 3 - 2 different, all negative

First and 2nd one were swabs at medical facilities.
The third was the spit collection test. That was a pain in the tookus. It’s hard to spit that much and they watch you on a zoom call until the vial is filled enough. Not choosing that one again.

[Aristus]

32. I've had six, so far. All negative.

The life of a clinical medicine provider.

The nasopharyngeal swab is no fun. All in a day’s work, though.

[Progressive dog]

33. I've been tested three times

prior to being in the hospital for tests and surgery. The nose swabs are uncomfortable, but don't hurt. Every time was in a laboratory room used only for corona tests. Insurance paid for the tests. They were done two to three days prior to the scheduled hospital appointments.

[we can do it]

34. I've also had 3, all negative.

All free. First one done by RN, throat swab. The 2 mouth swab done by myself. Throat swab a little irritating, but it seems better than the mouth swabs that would be easy for some to do sloppily. All at free outside events.

[NurseJackie]

36. It certainly seems logical that the "ick-factor" and the legitimate discomfort...

... may be something that dissuades many from being tested (or from being tested regularly).

[JCMach1]

40. Cheek swab is hella easy

[JCMach1]

65. They have you cough several time then swab for x seconds

You seal it and done

[JCMach1]

39. Three different types and the anti-body test... AMA

Had the one swab nasal x2
2 swab nasal in ER x1
Cheek swab x1

Antibody is a blood test...

[Rice4VP]

42. I've had the PCR test twice. It was more painful and uncomfortable

the second time.

You can prep yourself for it by shoving a Q-Tip up each nostril for 10 seconds.

My county had free drive up tests the first time and the second time I went to a clinic. My reason for getting it was “travel”. The first time (summer) the results took 5 days, last week the results took 2 days. Tested Friday, got the results on Monday

[NurseJackie]

44. Does the prep method help to reduce discomfort? Or does it eliminate the surprise...

... so that you know that to expect in advance (and so you can "brace yourself&quot ?

[Rice4VP]

47. No, I didn't prep myself. I'm just saying if you've never done it

that’s what you can do to see how it feels. 😉

You’ll probably be more gentle though.

[NurseJackie]

52. LOL! That's something I thought about... what if I have Nurse Rached?

What if she's hurried and aggravated? (But your advice makes good sense... at least I'll know how horrible it's NOT.)

[meow2u3]

43. I had a COVID antibody test in May which turned out negative

I requested the antibody test so I could donate plasma, but I donated whole blood because that's what was needed.

I did not have a COVID-19 test yet, perhaps because I didn't think I needed one. Now I think I might need to be tested; all my neighbors are either over 60 or disabled.

[RussBLib]

45. wow, 155 votes and no Positive tests

DU'ers practice good hygiene! Like wearing masks.

[NurseJackie]

50. I spotted that too!! I ALWAYS wear a mask!

I did stop wearing latex gloves to the store... but I use hand sanitizer when I return to my car.

[Rice4VP]

56. At the beginning I wore gloves to the supermarket but

no mask. The media really fell asleep on this at the beginning. I started wearing a mask when I saw that others were wearing one. Then it became obvious that you don’t get the virus through your hands unless you stick your fingers up your nose, mouth of eyes. I don’t wear gloves now. I use I huge scarf to cover the cart and then sanitize in the car. 100% masking, even at the drive through

[CaliforniaPeggy]

48. I did have one, and it was negative. In my doctor's office.

It was a truly strange situation.

I'd just had a colonoscopy a few days before. When I woke up from it, I was coughing like crazy and my lungs were full of fluid. I spoke up and asked where had that cough come from? My lungs were not like that before the procedure.

The anesthesiologist came over and told me that she had noticed some mucous in my mouth during the procedure. My suspicion is that I'd aspirated.

Anyway. I went home, still coughing. I took a nap and afterwards my temperature was elevated. It stayed up and when I went to bed, it was still up. 100.6.

The next morning it was down, and that afternoon it was normal. I was still coughing a lot.

After another day and night, I finally called my doctor. He wanted me to come in, and I did. He could hear my wet breathing across the room. He said he wanted to do the covid test and so I agreed. He didn't think I had the virus, but since I was there in the office, it was a reasonable thing to do.

It pinched inside my nostril for about a second. Not a problem. Two days later I got the results: negative.

He put me on oral steroids and a Z-pac in case it was pneumonia (it wasn't) and I was much better two days later!

The whole thing was very strange. I'm doing fine.

Medicare paid for the test.

[no_hypocrisy]

49. Yes and no

Yes. Indirectly. Donated blood and antibodies were found.

No. Stick up the nose test after blood donation. Negative.

[safeinOhio]

51. Lots of them.

In May I went into the ER with high temp. Had it done 3 times then, negative. Had sepsis. A month ago at drive thru for outpatient surgery. Then last week I went into ER with slow pulse and got one. They sent me to a larger hospital for a pacemaker and got one there. All negative. Have MC and BC/BS and haven’t got any bills for them, yet.

[Brother Mythos]

54. Yes. I had it done by appointment in the parking lot of a local walk-in clinic.

I had no symptoms, or reason to believe I had Covid-19. It was required as part of pre-op testing.

It was totally painless. The nurse simply swapped the very inside of my nostrils. The whole thing only took about a minute.

[beaglelover]

58. Yes, I had one in late June a week before I had a colonoscopy.

I went to an urgent care with a scrip from the doctor for the test. Had to wait about 3 hours to get it. Long line. It was the nasal test and not very pleasant. Got the test on a Tuesday afternoon and had the result on Friday afternoon.

[Blue_true]

61. Mine was the oral swab variant. Very easy to take. nt

[ecstatic]

64. Yes, County sponsored drive though, free and results in less than 24 hrs

This was in late October. I scheduled the test online the afternoon before. When I booked, there were still slots open for the same day I booked, but I couldn't swing it.

I didn't feel any pain, I was worried that maybe they didn't stick the swab up far enough. I was given a card with a link to view my results online.

I was in and out of the drive through in less than 20 minutes. This was DeKalb County Georgia. Friends in other counties have had similar experiences (and multiple free tests).

I think the reason why it was such a smooth experience is because people aren't getting tested unless they absolutely have to, and they probably don't realize how easy and seamless the testing process has become.

[KatyaR]

66. 1 at a med center before surgery,

and 3 at the city-county health department. Both were drive-thru. The pre-surgery one was covered by insurance, and I received the results within 4 hours. The other 3 were free through the health department and took 2-3 days for the results. All 4 were negative!

Good experience all around.