Covid, antivirals and steroid doses

[Hidcote]

I was contacted to say I was in close contact with someone who has Covid and asked to order more tests. I have Covid symptoms and feel poorly but am still testing negative. (I am told that with this variant it can take 3 days for the tests to show positive. ) I am not sure what to do about the antivirals since I know one needs to have them within 5 days of contracting Covid. Slightly worried that everything will be shut because of the funeral. Previous posts suggest some people have got the virals easily and others not so because they were below 10. I don’t think I will get them without a positive test.

As I am on my own it’s a bit scary. I am on 7 mg. The sick day rules say double the dose but the Covid advice is to take 10mg in the morning and 10 mg in the evening. Some previous posts on the forum suggest that fellow sufferers have not up their doses so much.

Any advice gratefully received.

[Bcol]

Morning Hidcote, the Test and Trace scheme hasn't been working since the Covid rules were stopped, so were you warned by a private individual? If you are still eligible you can still get tests free from the NHS. Without a positve test I suspect you have no chance of getting the anti virals. May be worth trying the usual paracetamol to see if it helps for a couple of days as it may just be the start of a bad cold, but if you do test positive, report your result and/or ring 111, take their advice and then think about sick day rules if you feel really unwell.

[Hidcote in reply to Bcol]

thanks

I thought that text and trace had finished too. The note that I had been in contact with a Covid case and the request to get more tests came from the NHS. I have been in health care settings and in close contact with doctors recently so it may be some one in the Health service triggered the alert.

[Rose54 in reply to Hidcote]

their is a scan around at present

Thay ask you to pay postage for test and take your bank details .

Phone 111 for advice

[Koalajane in reply to Rose54]

my husband got this text and knowing about the scam I told him to ignore it

[Jigsawlass]

I am on 7mg and got antivirals easily . I also followed the covid sick day rules and had 10mg am and 10mg pm. I am reducing today however as, apart from being v tired and a slight headache symptoms seem to be gone . Once I tested positive it was all v straightforward. I entered my positive test and was told I would get a call within 24 hours. Shortly before the time was up I decided to phone 111 and it all went from there . Hope you feel better soon whether it is Covid or not xx

[Hidcote in reply to Jigsawlass]

thanks that’s really helpful. I will go on to 10 and 10 and keep testing. I am pretty sue I am positive. How are you reducing?

[Jigsawlass in reply to Hidcote]

I reduced to 16 yesterday , normal sick day rules . Will go to my normal dose tomorrow as I feel pretty normal

[Koalajane]

as there is a scam going round regarding this I think it would be a good idea to check your bank account. I hope you have not been scammed

[Hidcote]

thanks

It was not a scam as it went straight to the nhs site, I have been sent tests and a reminder from the NHS about not using out of date tests

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I hope you didn't respond to the notification - it is a scam that has been operating for some time. if you did and were asked to pay anything - please contact your bank to stop your card, It LOOKS as if it comes from the NHS but it doesn't. It has been discussed on and off on the forum for some months. Test and trace hasn't operated for a long time.

[Hidcote in reply to PMRpro]

thanks I have checked. It was a scam but I did get free tests without any payment which is very odd

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hidcote]

They are aiming to get your card details - the usual is to change pence for postage and packing rather than the tests themselves but they have your card details and can go on a spending spree with them.

[Hidcote]

they didn’t ask for any financial details but of course because I think they got access to the NHS account got my personal details