Originalsly:
I have workmates (New York) that were out as early as December with COVID-19.....sick... no taste ... no smell... not diagnosed. I was out early February.... symptoms similar to bronchitis.... serious but extremely dry and persistent cough. We all knew it was COVID-19 after the fact.... when it was later announced that COVID-19 was brought to the US. All.that first COVID-19 case was brought from Europe is hogwash... it was already circulating in the US... just like any other flu.

To the purpose of this thread...... experts in the house.... testing. What exactly are they testing for?..... the actual COVID-19 strain of the virus?... or corona virus anti bodies? I'll wait for a response before moving on.

We test for COVID-19 biomarkers.There are presently 5 different biomarkers which are detected using Polymerase Chain Reaction assay!

KelvinCoaster:


We test for COVID-19 biomarkers.There are presently 5 different biomarkers which are detected using Polymerase Chain Reaction assay!

Ok.... how accurate is the test?.... and does it meet normal acceptable levels?

Originalsly:


Ok.... how accurate is the test?.... and does it meet normal acceptable levels?

The test is 99.9% specific and 99.9% sensitive!
It is by far the most dependable only that it is time consuming!

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Giskard:
Good Morning.

Sorry, I had to create a new account to post here, as my main account is slightly known in some other parts of the site. I also do not know if this is the right place to post this.

I'll do my best to make this as orderly as possible to better help the esteemed consultants here better understand my matter.

Symptoms started: Sat, Oct 2017, 2020.

1pm
- Elevated heartbeat (97 - 115 bpm)
- Slight fatigue
- Running & blocked nose
- Last BP check (131/70 @ 8pm)
- Heavy face and slight headache.

6pm
- A little stiff feeling in chest. Worsens when I lay down.
- Little stitch at left side of chest (just below left nipple).
- Cough
- Sore throat

9pm
- Chills
- Feeling hot, but have to cover up (Fever?)
- Deep breaths between words.
- Completely blocked nose
- Can feel my heart beating even when laying down and completely at rest.
- Slight pain at my sides

I have been on allergy treatment for the past week, and will complete the dosage in another 3 weeks.

Meds I'm currently taking
- Predicure prednisolone 5mg tab
- Zyncet hydrocloride 10mg tab
-Actifed tabs for cold
- Flixonase Aqueous Nasal Spray
- Orange Vit C tabs

That's pretty much it. I have 3 questions, but I'll welcome more advice from anyone that has more to say.

1. Do I have covid?
2. Am I in the high-risk category (of fatalities because of underlying conditions)?
3. What do hell do I do now? grin

Thank you for reading and for your eventual advice!

1. Maybe. Maybe not. A test will reveal this. Have you been in high-risk situations.
2. I didn't find your underlying conditions as I skimmed through. What are they?
3. Isolate yourself. Get tested if possible. Arrange for quick transport to a hospital if things get worse.