Hi guys, sorry if this has already been mentioned but Blue Horizon have COVID tests available.
I have just ordered myself an antibody test.
Stay safe guys.
COVID19 Tests: Hi guys, sorry if this has already... - Thyroid UK
COVID19 Tests
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cazmania7
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SeasideSusieRemembering
cazmania7
I have just ordered myself an antibody test.
Do you think you might have had the virus then?
Hey susie, how you doing and pooch?
I was really poorly over new year and it felt like more than the usual flu. A few people have said the same thing. I’m hoping I had it back then! This test will give me peace of mind when I can eventually visit my mum again!
Stay safe buddy 😀
We're doing OK thanks 
In that case I hope the result gives you peace of mind
There are probably many people in your position, it's a shame there isn't more testing available to the general public.
Absolutely. It’s really expensive!
I’m a key worker but think the only test we might be able to get at the moment is a test to see if you have it currently.
I think you need to check the reliability of the test, as one reason it hasn’t been rolled out in the uk or other countries is due to a high level of false results. I may be wrong and Blue Horizon May have a more reliable version, if so I apologise to them, but don’t want you to potentially be at risk. Take care
My son's partner is a carer and about 3-4 weeks ago she was about to go into one client's house when she had a call from her manager to say she should wait, they were expecting a call to confirm whether or not the client had the virus, as doctor had been earlier and thought that she had. She was there 40 minutes then her manager rang and said they'd not had confirmation one way or another so don't wait any longer, just go in anyway 😲
So she had to go in, although she only did a quick check, then left.
Next day they had confirmation the client did have the virus 😨
Her company didn't tell her to self isolate (she would have been paid if they did), she couldn't take that decision herself because if it had been her decision she wouldn't have been paid.
Fortunately she hasn't shown signs or symptoms but we all know that you can be asymptomatic and still pass it on.
She can't get a test.
That’s terrrible. 😢 But sadly from what I’m hearing, not especially unusual. I’m relieved to say my employer’s being really good about it—so far. I do get the feeling that it might not last a whole lot longer though.
That’s absolutely shocking. Some employers are not taking the right attitude with all this. I have to say mine, is. I work for a big telecomms company so you can probably guess. Their handling has been brilliant and I’m quite proud to work there.
Hope she and the people in her life have escaped the virus.
Shocking she, as a carer, can't get a test while they are being sold off-the-shelf to the general public.
I checked up yesterday and for Wales this was announced on 23rd April
On Thursday (April 23), the Welsh Government confirmed key workers in Wales who have symptoms of coronavirus will be able to book a test online from next week.
So as she's showing no symptoms, she's not eligible for a test at the moment.
Reported. ...The on-line slots for test kits for key workers ran out after 2 mins.
Like pushing a boulder up a mountain!
Yes, I saw that they were booked within a few minutes. Goodness, what a mess!
Well, apparently the virus tests have about 80% false positive so perhaps the client didn't actually have it.
She wasn't tested, it was just GP's opinion. She was taken off the books of the care company and passed onto a company that deals with Covid-19 patients.
Outrageous she was out at risk. I feel for her and she must have felt powerless to protect herself. We know people who feel powerless in face of danger run the highest risk of stress. I really hope this situation changes for all carers.
cazmania7
This test will give me peace of mind when I can eventually visit my mum again!
I don't know what, if anything, BlueHorizon are claiming about their antibody test, but according to WHO:
There is currently no evidence that people who have recovered from COVID-19 and have antibodies are protected from a second infection. who.int/news-room/commentar...
That suggests to me that even if your test results show you have antibodies, you may still need to take all the same precautions with visiting your mum as you are doing now.
WHO are reporting this morning you can not be reinfected twice ?
Do you have any links to this? Please.
The Piers Morgan show “Good Morning Britain”
Hate the bloody show but just watched it as they too were talking about testing.
I don't hate it - but that is because I have never even seen it.
Thank you.
My understanding is that there’s not enough data yet to say this with 100% accuracy but with other Coronaviruses you can’t be reinfected once you’ve had it so it follows that it’s likely the same for Covid19 but we don’t know and of course the virus may yet mutate.
But a cold is a coronavirus and we (nearly) all get colds multiple times, so that makes no sense.
Well yes a common cold is caused by a virus and can be similar to Coronaviruses in symptoms. In some cases more serious like MERS and Covid19. With most viral infections once you’ve had it you are immune which is why vaccines are developed to give you a small degree of exposure to the virus, for example in the case of measles or viral meningitis. But having had measles will not give you immunity to meningitis as they are different viruses. There are millions of viruses out there, just many aren’t that harmful, some are killers.
Basically, I think the message is that no one actually knows
How much are they please?
£99. It says on the website it has been approved by and purchased many NHS hospitals.
The NHS has been unable to find any accurate antibody tests so far. I believe there was one that could detect antibodies in severe cases but it missed minor cases. If you have severe COVID-19 you will know about it. It is not known to what extent if any having had the virus will protect you from further infection.
The Blue Horizon antibody tests may be better than others but none have been found to be reliable. I would wait until there are approved tests in the UK and we know that COVID-19 infection confers immunity.
SlowDragonAmbassador
You might consider this option ....
BioSure looking for volunteers to donate a blood sample
biosure.co.uk/covid-19-self...
Thanks slowdragon 😀
That is very interesting - might be a good idea to post separately?
Some anti-body tests show a variety of Corona anti-bodies - including the common cold - I have read 😷
Yes that’s true. This is specific to COVID though.
I’m not as positive about the test now I’ve read some of the comments but I’ve placed the order now lol too late 😂
You’ll have to let us know what the outcome is! Good luck
Cheers katie the dubs!
Medichecks were offering free antibody tests a couple of weeks ago. They sent me an email asking if I or anyone I knew had had C19 and would they like to take part in the trial of their antibody test. I passed it on to 3 people who had C19 that I knew.
• in reply tomeme
I haven't received an email from them about this which is a pity because I think I may have had it back in January.
meme• in reply to
It was sent to me 5th April. Why don’t you contact them and ask if you can take part ? Hope you are fully recovered . Take care.
• in reply tomeme
I think I will wait until the NHS starts testing everyone because I don't actually think medichecks have given me very good advice in the past. I actually use them for my thyroid levels but their clinicians always have to comment on something they clearly know nothing about. I think there are people on this site that actually know more about thyroid disease than they actually do. I do wonder what they intend to do with the tests? Sell them perhaps? I am just speculating now btw.
From BBC today (Mon 27 Apr): -
Junior health minister Edward Argar has said the UK is continuing to test antibody tests to determine who has already had the virus.
"The sign at the moment is positive but we're not there yet in saying this is 100% going to work," Argar told Talk Radio.
"We are continuing to research at pace... We are making very good progress now and I am hopeful we will see some positive news on that front."
Hiya, just wanted to throw out there to be extremely cautious when ordering tests online unless you know it‘s a reliable source. Lots of people are being scammed as they take your account details and rob you off your money or sent you tests that aren‘t reliable so please please please be careful!
I think I had it early March, dry hacking cough, sore throat, raised temperature, headache and fatigue . I then after a few days developed a tight chest so ended up off work for two weeks. Not tested.
Im a keyworker and fall into the vulnerable group and would love to know of a reliable antibody test if the results of that allow me to return to my full duties safely. There seems to be mixed messages on this. Last night on a Coronavirus special there appears to be a reliable anti body test BUT what they were saying it could not say if it actually would give you immunity and if so for how long or if COVID19 mutated if you would be protected. They believe you would be immune but there is no scientific proof currently. Therefore they said you should continue with the current measures in place even if you have antibodies
• in reply towaveylines
I agree, I started a thread about my "flu bug" back in January. I called 111 and they called an ambulance because I could not breathe and had a bad cough. This went on for 6 weeks and despite 2 lots of antibiotics I was eventually admitted to hospital for tests which included an x-ray because I was so unwell. What I do remember was I could not get my temperature to come down even though I was taking paracetamol. When I was in A & E they told me my lungs were inflammed and gave me a course of prednisolone for 5 days. I then eventually felt better after 8 weeks of continuous coughing. I have never had a flu bug like it and think it might have been the coronavirus. I would like to know if I have had it but I won't pay a private blood testing company to do it because I think it is the responsibility of the NHS to do mass testing.
cazmania7• in reply to
Blimey that sounds pretty horrific to be fair. Patient zero or what!! Glad you pulled through that.
I spoke to a couple at for work. They both were confirmed as having COVID. Both got admitted to hospital for some time. They both were eventually released to go home. They were both in their 80s!! Inspiring stuff.
Hey waveylines. It’s enormously frustrating isn’t it. I just want to go to work with peace of mind and be able to carry out my duties without fear that the last thing I touched might end up killing me.
I feel especially sorry for carers. Zero PPE yet dealing with the most vulnerable who will be susceptible and at risk of passing it to those they care for but also at risk of catching it from them. The lowest paid most of the time too.
Completely agree with you Cazmania so I also was tempted by purchasing an antibody test so was particularly interested in that tv programme. So can really understand putchasing one but its sadly not yet the holy grail. Lol...☹️
Thing is there will be sooooo much research going on throughout the world to not only find an a vaccine but to answer this very question that am sure things will become much clearer in months to come. COVID19 & its mates are here to stay & social distancing as the main barrier is causing havoc economically/emotionally so I have no doubt the whole world is invested in answering this asap. Let us know what your test result is! 🙂 And who knows if they get the answers to these questions you will know how safe you are!
Cheers waveylines!
To everyone that might think about a COVID19 self-test. A few facts:
The best test is only 85% successful.
One of the biggest difficulties is taking the swab samples correctly.
Other types of tests have been found to not be successful.
Tests need to be taken at the right time, approximately 3 days after getting symptoms, before can be a false negative as can after you have recovered.
Check out the 15 symptoms.
If you receive proof that you have the virus, what difference does it make?
With no anti-body tests and even reports that you are still not immune.
The same isolation and self-distancing rules apply whether you have had the virus or not.
Its the blood test I was thinking of. Thats the antibody test that I know of.
The swab test is to see whether you have the virus. And that is a very important test as it means people you have been in contact can self isolate for 7 days to make sure they break the transmission of the virus to others, thereby reducing or hopefully stopping the spread. It will also inform of community soread......thats what Germany have done. Sadly we are way way behind on that! Is this the one you are saying is only 85% reliable? Scary.....
I jumped on your thread the min I saw it as I didn’t know there was a test. I predict your all say I’m stupid but although I’d take it privately if I could afford it, I wouldn’t want a nhs test due to my research I’ve been doing for weeks now. I had GA month ago then straight after got a big painful abscess on my but, I’m on my 4fh lot antibiotics and it’s no better Dr wants me go under GA again to have it drained. I’m not going in hospital because I don’t think I’ll come out alive. They may test me poss for cv (?) and put me on vent and I’ll die. I’m in my 60s I want to live a bit longer. Please pray for me the abscess will go away and I don’t need this op thank you love you all and appreciate you more then your ever know x
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