Got My COVID-19 Test - YIPPEE! I'm Negative.

[qwlauren35]

Last edited Sun May 31, 2020, 07:36 PM - Edit history (2)

Maryland has started allowing asymptomatic people to get tested, so I went on-line and got my appointment. Drive-thru.

I was not paying attention and thought they would swab my mouth. Duh. Of course not. It's your nose.

They give you as 12" swab and tell you to sick it allllllllllllllll the way up to the tippy-top of your nose 'til you hit the bone. In my mind, I'm thinkin' "yeah, it's probably better if I do this myself". Up, up, up it went. Slowly, carefully. In places a finger can't get to, (confession is good for the soul - I'm a nose picker), and then, I got there.

Now, swirl it around, and hold it for 15 seconds. Very, very uncomfortable. I'm starting to think that I'd prefer a shot, but this is a *respiratory* thing, so, no, gotta check the nose.

OK, done... the other nostril.

Alllllllllllllllll over again. Slowly, slowly into the farthest reaches of the nostril, twirl, hold, out, insert in tube, break stem, done.

I will never complain about a blood test again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now, I don't get the results for a week. So, I have to think good, happy thoughts, like "don't worry, you don't have it". 'cause having it would just JACK UP MY LIFE. Actually, the number of people I've been in contact with I can count on two hands for the most part. Then, there are a few stores - McD's, Pizza Hut, China Wok, Giant, Food Lion, that's about it.

But please, I don't want to have this. I don't want to be an asymptomatic carrier, walking around killing people without knowing it.

I really, really, really hope I'm negative.

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Update: Sunday, May 31st - I'm negative. Whew!

[mr_lebowski]

1. Good times, aren't they?

Thinking good thoughts for you

[FoxNewsSucks]

2. I'm sure there's a medical reason I'm just not aware of,

but if the risk is that people are exhaling clouds of virus, why do they have to stick the giant Q-tip that far up one's nose?

[Aristus]

15. Because the nasopharynx is where the virus hangs out until it gets coughed or sneezed out.

We're not doing this for the fun of it, you know. I say that having had the test twice now. (Both negative, thank goodness.)

We obtain the specimen for the test based on the likelihood that the pathogen we're looking for is going to be in that type of specimen. If the patient has a urinary complaint, for example, we're not going to get a mouth swab, or do a sputum test. We get a urine specimen.

[sdfernando]

3. Ugh..sounds horrible

I have no problem at all getting stuck with a needle for a shot or for taking a blood sample. In fact I look and watch them do it. Its nothing at all to me. But this sounds horrible and painful. Not sure how I would do with this, especially since I have a pretty badly deviated septum in my left nostril. I'm wondering if the swab would even go in, would the cotton tip come off as they were pulling it out?...would it come out covered in blood?

Glad you made it through and hope you don't have the virus.

[qwlauren35]

5. Industrial swab.

No way is the cotton coming off. It wasn't painful, just very, very uncomfortable. It happened a half hour ago, and I can still feel it.

In my un-medically-trained, ignorant, not-to-be-paid-attention-to opinion, if you could only swab one nostril, you would probably get legit results.

[Paper Roses]

4. I am sorry this was so uncomfortable. I don't know what I will do if I have to be tested.

Many years ago I was in an auto accident. Hit the ground face first, serious damage to my nose. Two surgeries later, I cannot comfortably breath thru my nose. An X-Ray years ago showed severe damage to the cartilage. There is no path for a big Q-tip to reach my sinuses. I was told by a doctor (ENT) that the damage is severe and there is no possibility to rebuild my nose. Add to that, allergies. I can hardly breath.
I hope this horrible pandemic passes and that I don't have to be tested. There is no way to insert the swab into my nasal passages. At my old age, no more surgery at any time. Scares the heck out of me. I am staying housebound so as not to expose myself to anything if I can help it.

To those of you who should be tested. Believe me, it could be worse.
Until there is an oral test, I am up the creek.

Keep safe all,

[qwlauren35]

6. The swab is very thin.

Being the geek I am, I would say that the swab is about 3-1/2 mm diameter. A little bigger than the tip of a toothpick. It's not as thick as a Q-tip.

I am sure that if there was a good reason for you to be tested, they would figure something out. Like breathe into something.

Medical professionals are very innovative and think of everything.

[Laffy Kat]

7. Wow. Mine wasn't so bad.

A nurse did it and it was only one nostril. It wasn't pleasant but it didn't take long. I've had worse experiences with pap smears. Glad you got it done.

[qwlauren35]

10. Oh yeah, those.

A PAP Smear is a hundred times worse than a COVID-19 test.

[Bayard]

8. Oh, boy....

This would not go well. I have a STRONG reflex action if my pulmonologist tries to stick anything up my nose or down my throat.

[Laffy Kat]

11. Do you pass out?

It can trigger a vasovagal loss of consciousness.

[Bayard]

16. No.....

But it makes me gag and snort and flail about.

[smirkymonkey]

9. Sounds very unpleasant.

I don't understand why that is the only way they can test for the virus. There must be another way.

[hay rick]

12. Got my drive-thru asymptomatic test a week ago.

Easier than yours. Medical professional in full PPE put a swab up,up,up my left nostril, swabbed it around while counting to 5, then out and done. Not pleasant but not traumatic either.

[elleng]

13. DITTO I hope you're negative,

and as Giant's my only go-to spot, I'm NOT planning to test!

[qwlauren35]

19. Hi Ellen, I'm negative.

Just wanted to pass on the good news.

[elleng]

20. Good!

[mucifer]

14. Problem with testing with no symptoms is you could catch it the day after you test

I am a pediatric nurse. I haven't tested yet. A few months ago I wanted to get tested because my chest was aching and burning. No fever no classic covid symptoms. Back then I couldn't get tested. Now I can. I don't see the point of doing it if I could get covid the day after the test. It might make sense to test every other week or something like that. I will just wait and test if I get symptoms.

[SeniorDems]

17. Your Descriptive COVID-19 Test

My curiosity wanted to know about your COVID-19 Test since I haven't had one yet.
Your description was elegant! I'm sorry to say...…..you made me burst out laughing!
Thank you for making me laugh. I needed that!!

I had heard about the swab going into the nose all the way in......I just didn't know how far! I guess as far as you can and it stops! You hit bone then!

I hope your test comes out negative.

I just had the anti-body test done through my doctor. I think I had it in January.
So I don't know if I want to know positive or negative. As it doesn't mean anything until they tell us we are immune to the VIRUS. AND they can't do that right now. So, I'm waiting as well for my test result..... You will be glad to know the anti-body test is done by blood withdrawal. Unfortunately, the nurse had to hit me 3 times. Didn't hurt until the 3rd time when she finally got the vein on my hand. OUCH!

So both of us are waiting for COVID-19 TEST but for different reasons.


I wish you good luck! (sending VIBES please be negative)

Stay Safe!
Hugs <from a distance>

[sarge43]

18. *Sigh and ew.

You're right. Has to be done.

Good thoughts and vibes. Keep us posted.