# How many times have you have tested positive for COVID (if at all)? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [August 10, 2022, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-have-you-have-tested-positive-for-covid-if-at-all/969444 "2022-08-10T17:35:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![MrAtoz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MrAtoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrAtoz)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2022, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-have-you-have-tested-positive-for-covid-if-at-all/969444/21 "2022-08-12T16:57:59Z")
I, too, have never had COVID to my knowledge. I’ve been tested in a doctor’s office once (the test where you have to wait a few days for the result), and have taken the at-home test many times. Never shown as positive. My wife did have it, and received monoclonal antibody treatment. Even though I self-tested frequently during that period, I never showed positive. I have a lot of allergies, so there have been many days that I have woken up with a sore throat and other cold-like symptoms. Thus I tend to self-test with some frequency, especially during allergy season. Never had a positive result. I am fully vaxxed and double-boosted (Moderna). I’m not sure which one to hope for: that I really haven’t ever had it, or that I have and was so completely asymptomatic that I didn’t even notice. I suppose the former would be better, since it would lessen the chances that I might have passed it on to anyone else. ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2022, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-have-you-have-tested-positive-for-covid-if-at-all/969444/22 "2022-08-12T17:29:53Z")
That is some excellent hygiene you were practicing. I’m glad, because that means we still have you here. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2022, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-have-you-have-tested-positive-for-covid-if-at-all/969444/23 "2022-08-12T17:49:05Z")
I have not tested positive for COVID-19 at all, nor has my dad. And we’ve never had anything more than cold-like symptoms, nor for an extended period. The same was true of my sister and her roommates before omicron, who live nearby. But they had a scheduled trip to Disney and were there right when it hit. One roommate had symptoms near the end of their trip, but no one else caught it. Then later on, after she was better, they went out and ate at a restaurant, and my sister caught it. But, still the other roommate never caught it or had symptoms. My uncle did get it before omicron, but he never had symptoms. They only know he had it because he had to go to the hospital for something else. Dad drove him, so we had a scare then, but his mask and vaccine was good enough to protect him. ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2022, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-have-you-have-tested-positive-for-covid-if-at-all/969444/24 "2022-08-12T18:41:05Z")
I’ve never tested positive. If I had it, I was either asymptomatic , or it was the cold that I had in February 2020, which I think is highly unlikely given that I live in South Texas and AFAIK it hadn’t yet reached the area yet at that time. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2022, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-have-you-have-tested-positive-for-covid-if-at-all/969444/25 "2022-08-12T18:47:36Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > I have a question for you other never folks: do you also feel the need for a more than average amount of personal space? Not at all. I don’t really care for having other people breathing on me, but i like to hug and be close to friends. On the other hand, I’ve been paranoid throughout the pandemic. I’ve only eaten in a restaurant once (and i was hijacked, i wouldn’t have planned to do it) and I’ve been wearing a mask indoors. I’ve hugged a lot of people while we were both wearing masks. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2022, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-have-you-have-tested-positive-for-covid-if-at-all/969444/26 "2022-08-17T18:30:38Z")
Currently in the middle of my second bout. This time it’s not nearly as bad so far. ---
**Author:** ![Tfletch1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tfletch1/32/5340_2.png) [@Tfletch1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tfletch1)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2022, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-have-you-have-tested-positive-for-covid-if-at-all/969444/27 "2022-08-17T23:04:50Z")
I’m glad to hear that! ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2022, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-have-you-have-tested-positive-for-covid-if-at-all/969444/28 "2022-08-26T22:14:24Z")
I’ve had an on again, off again headache for last 3 days. Slightly fatigued. I had gotten 4 home tests months ago, and decided to try. Two tests, and nothing shows up. I don’t know how I’m doing this wrong. I put the swab onto the test well, but its like theres no liquid on it to drop. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2022, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-have-you-have-tested-positive-for-covid-if-at-all/969444/29 "2022-08-26T22:26:34Z")
What kind of kit are you using? Have you tried looking up a Youtube video? The one I use (BinaxNOW), there’s just a foldable test booklet with the strip in it, a little vial, and a swab. You shake the vial, squirt like 3 drops into a certain place in the text booklet, swab, and thread the swab through a hole in the booklet, fold it over, and wait 15 minutes. I’ve used some other ones, but I can’t remember their method. Best is to just look up a video. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2022, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-have-you-have-tested-positive-for-covid-if-at-all/969444/30 "2022-08-26T22:30:58Z")
Its called flowflex. I see liquid in the vial, am I to put that on the well? Not enough is on the swab. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2022, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-have-you-have-tested-positive-for-covid-if-at-all/969444/31 "2022-08-26T22:33:06Z")
The types I use have you swab, swirl the swab in the vial of liquid, then drip from the vial to the test area. Does your kit have an instruction sheet? ETA: Instructions: [https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.fda.gov/media/152699/download&ved=2ahUKEwiJqvWKyOX5AhUBOn0KHVrwAXwQFnoECAoQAQ&usg=AOvVaw37SYrfdO8id3DorhSRMKF\_](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.fda.gov/media/152699/download&ved=2ahUKEwiJqvWKyOX5AhUBOn0KHVrwAXwQFnoECAoQAQ&usg=AOvVaw37SYrfdO8id3DorhSRMKF_) Also also ETA: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/NV4UN70uC9Q/maxresdefault.jpg "FlowFlex At-Home Covid-19 Testing Kit Tutorial") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NV4UN70uC9Q) ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2022, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-have-you-have-tested-positive-for-covid-if-at-all/969444/32 "2022-08-26T22:38:51Z")
Ah. I was placing the swab on the well. I have 2 left. I shall try again. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2022, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-have-you-have-tested-positive-for-covid-if-at-all/969444/33 "2022-08-26T22:39:39Z")
Godspeed! ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2022, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-have-you-have-tested-positive-for-covid-if-at-all/969444/34 "2022-08-26T22:45:36Z")
Once. Yesterday. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2022, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-have-you-have-tested-positive-for-covid-if-at-all/969444/35 "2022-08-27T00:46:44Z")
So reading the directions actually helps!🤗 I am negative, woot! ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2022, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-have-you-have-tested-positive-for-covid-if-at-all/969444/36 "2022-08-27T00:52:07Z")
Yay!! ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2022, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-have-you-have-tested-positive-for-covid-if-at-all/969444/37 "2022-08-31T19:14:49Z")
Woke up feeling like crap on Monday, tested negative. Felt better but not great Tuesday, tested positive (and not one of those faded “do I have COVID” lines). Tele-visit with the doctor this morning (feeling the same mostly as Tuesday), Paxlovid ready for pickup. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2022, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-have-you-have-tested-positive-for-covid-if-at-all/969444/38 "2022-09-06T23:13:11Z")
As reported I tested positive almost a month ago. Now I feel just as crappy as I did then. I’ve tested myself several days in a row all negative. I’m out of the window for it to be a rebound case of the same infection. This would be number 3 while being vaxed and boosted. Wouldn’t say much for immunity if I did have it again so soon. Maybe it is just a cold. ---
**Author:** ![Tfletch1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tfletch1/32/5340_2.png) [@Tfletch1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tfletch1)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2022, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-have-you-have-tested-positive-for-covid-if-at-all/969444/39 "2022-09-06T23:55:33Z")
Man, talk about bad luck. I guess it could be something else. One of my students was sick last week and thought it was covid. Turns out it was strep throat. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-have-you-have-tested-positive-for-covid-if-at-all/969444/40 "2022-09-07T15:58:19Z")
Yeah it might just be a bad lingering cold. Scratchy throat, sinus issue, general malaise. Blowing through my supply of tests with not a hint of positive. My fiancée took one today and it was also negative. Does not feel like strep and I haven’t had a fever at all. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-have-you-have-tested-positive-for-covid-if-at-all/969444.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-have-you-have-tested-positive-for-covid-if-at-all/969444.md?page=3)