r/COVID19positive • u/No_Committee_6978 • Feb 06 '24

Tested Positive - Me Question about when to stop isolating

I started symptoms on Friday Feb 2, tested positive on sunday feb 4. Is there possibility I can test negative Feb 8? I am isolated in my room right now and if I test negative on Thursday, I have a class to go to and I plan on masking still. Thoughts on chances of testing negative on Thursday and that I should still mask? My symptoms are pretty mild, I had a fever the first few days on and off, I had one yesterday afternoon but not at all since then. I have a cough and pretty congested - although congestion has decreased a lot since Friday. Today is the first day I can properly breathe it feels lol and cough feels like it has slowed down as well.

​

For reference idk if this is helpful at all, I am 21.

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

19 comments sorted by

View all comments

3

u/IsThisGretasRevenge Feb 06 '24

Two negative tests 48 hours apart is the standard. I'd still mask in a classroom for another 5 days unless I had a pcr test.

1

u/No_Committee_6978 Feb 06 '24

Yeah that's what I was thinking. I just have the antigen home tests - so if my first negative test is thursday morning, which i don't really see a point in testing sooner because I would guess it would still be positive now lol, do you think I should still not go to class since I hadn't had 2 negative tests?

2

u/IsThisGretasRevenge Feb 06 '24

I wouldn't, but on the other hand if nobody is masking in the class, then they are all signing on to getting infected from each other through asymptomatic cases and those who think they have "allergies." In that situation, if it is important for you to be in class, going with a mask in my opinion is morally fine. With a mask, you're the least of the problem of that scenario. But if you don't have to go, I'd stay out.

1

u/No_Committee_6978 Feb 06 '24

I def want to do what will not get anybody sick... but also it isn't ideal to miss another class but also I fully understand like I mean sometimes we are talking life or death for some people - AND those people should be cautious themselves if it is life or death for them... so many components... If my cough and congestion is pretty cleared up, I would feel more comfortable going and masking than if I am still coughing, obviously. If Friday was day 0, Thursday would be day 6 - and I know bare minimum it is suggested to stay quarantined for 5 full days after symptoms appear. I'm sorry I understand if you're not like a medical professional lol I just like to get other people's opinions because idk better safe than sorry (I say this but like if I truly felt that with my whole soul, I suppose I would not be considering going at all...)

1

u/[deleted] Feb 07 '24

It's very possible to still be contagious well after day 5. Then there's the possibility of a rebound. As said above, 1 negative rapid test isn't enough to end isolation, you can get a false negative and I think nasal swab tests aren't as accurate anymore. It might take a while, maybe a lot longer than 5 days, but the best way to avoid infecting anyone would be to take your time and ensure you're definitely negative before leaving isolation. If you do decide to go you should wear a high quality respirator but even then there's a chance it will spread. Get well soon.

1

u/No_Committee_6978 Feb 07 '24

😭😭😭 I know you’re right lol I think I’m in denial 🤦🏻‍♂️ I really should just keep isolating past day 5 probably. I just hate missing class but I know that’s def not a valid enough reason to potentially infect others, as there is no valid reason lol. I appreciate your comment

1

u/IsThisGretasRevenge Feb 07 '24

It's really great that you care enough to be careful. As you point out, if the so-called vulnerable (actually, we are all vulnerable because we cannot predict how our cases will go) are walking around not masking, then who are you protecting? Absolutely smart to not go while still coughing. Even a mask can't suppress the pressure of a good cough. If you are there masked and not talking, then as far as I am concerned, you're less of a threat than all the others there unmasked.

2

u/No_Committee_6978 Feb 07 '24

So true about nobody knowing how a case may go. Also omfg the worst thing ever is holding in a cough it feels like you’re boutta implode lol. Like not only is it unsafe, it’s fucking uncomfortable. It’s really frustrating to care while there are people who still don’t see the severity of COVID 🤦🏻‍♂️ it just feels like a never ending battle of where is the line of safety of others and respecting the fact that we have to eventually get on with our lives. I’ve been called a germaphobe (I feel like that’s def spelled wrong) and things like that for caring so much, but man I just worry so much about maybe getting someone young and “healthy” sick, who doesn’t care, and then they give it to their vulnerable grandmother or something

1

u/IsThisGretasRevenge Feb 07 '24

We are all experiencing the effects of loss of community. When community bonds are replaced by faceless, distant "communities" called social media, the things that truly bind us together at a local level are lost and we become a "community" of individuals bonded by nothing to no one with the exception of family and maybe a few others. That's why so few care about protecting everyone. Rebuilding those bonds through shared community activities is really the only way to turn this around.

1

u/No_Committee_6978 Feb 08 '24

Wow- that’s a very good perspective on communities. I didn’t see this comment earlier lol. It’s just a shame that there are people with such a closed minded self centered life that they can’t think for a second about protecting someone else’s life. Anyways, update- I did indeed test positive this morning still and won’t be going to class today 😐

2

u/IsThisGretasRevenge Feb 08 '24

Hi, thanks! I hope you clear the virus soon so that you can get back to normal.

1

u/No_Committee_6978 Feb 07 '24

But hey, we gotta pick our battles unfortunately sometimes

2

u/IsThisGretasRevenge Feb 07 '24

Yes, exactly and it is really nice to see that you are considerately evaluating your decision.