Now it's my turn

[Freebird]

Not if the thought is that he had it first, was asymptomatic and passed it on to me. By the time he tested negative he was already over it. Just one of many theories.

The timeline: He had outpatient surgery June 30. A follow up in person appointment on July 7. I tested positive July 21. The math could work. We may never know.

 

[pellicle]

I tested negative for covid! Not sure what's next.

interesting
I wonder what test method they used (antibody or nucleic acid).

 

[Freebird]

interesting
I wonder what test method they used (antibody or nucleic acid).

They told me they were using the Abbott test. Results come back in about 30 minutes. Not sure about the method. I've read a bit on the test giving false negatives but not so much on false positives.

 

[vitdoc]

I also suspect you had a rare but possible false positive. Would have expected some symptoms at your non child age. The follow up to prove it would be an antibody test. Should likely be positive if you were infected.
Abbott does RNA testing. They have a new gadget that will test in a few minutes. I am not sure how they amplify the nucleic material that fast.
Antibody tests take about 15 minutes Two systems available currently in US.
If there are flaws in running any test the results can be wrong. I had an antibody test a few days ago since I was near an employee In our clinic who tested positive and had symptoms (loss of taste and smell). I was negative. Testing again tomorrow. Both of us had on N95 masks. May have saved my 71 y old butt. Having cardio version tomorrow for AFlutter started two weeks ago hence the pre conversion COVID test.

 

[Freebird]

I also suspect you had a rare but possible false positive. Would have expected some symptoms at your non child age. The follow up to prove it would be an antibody test. Should likely be positive if you were infected.
Abbott does RNA testing. They have a new gadget that will test in a few minutes. I am not sure how they amplify the nucleic material that fast.
Antibody tests take about 15 minutes Two systems available currently in US.
If there are flaws in running any test the results can be wrong. I had an antibody test a few days ago since I was near an employee In our clinic who tested positive and had symptoms (loss of taste and smell). I was negative. Testing again tomorrow. Both of us had on N95 masks. May have saved my 71 y old butt. Having cardio version tomorrow for AFlutter started two weeks ago hence the pre conversion COVID test.

I’ve heard the antibody tests are just as inaccurate as any others. I fear we’ll never know. Just grateful I feel well.
l have now been rescheduled for August 26. I still have to get another negative before being allowed in to do my pre-op tests. My nurse said they’d had one patient who tested pos, then neg, then pos. Sounds like they went ahead with the surgery. She said the danger at that point would be to the medical staff during intubation and not to the patient.

 

[vitdoc]

RNA tests currently are considered the gold standard for testing. But there are different versions of these tests which may have different sensitivities and specificities. Viral antibody tests are cheap and fast but currently may not be as sensitive with more false negatives. A positive is likely to be positive however.
The antibody test I am referring to is to see if the human antibody is in your system to the virus. So there can be some confusion when one is taking about an antibody test.

 

[Freebird]

I also suspect you had a rare but possible false positive. Would have expected some symptoms at your non child age. The follow up to prove it would be an antibody test. Should likely be positive if you were infected.
Abbott does RNA testing. They have a new gadget that will test in a few minutes. I am not sure how they amplify the nucleic material that fast.
Antibody tests take about 15 minutes Two systems available currently in US.
If there are flaws in running any test the results can be wrong. I had an antibody test a few days ago since I was near an employee In our clinic who tested positive and had symptoms (loss of taste and smell). I was negative. Testing again tomorrow. Both of us had on N95 masks. May have saved my 71 y old butt. Having cardio version tomorrow for AFlutter started two weeks ago hence the pre conversion COVID test.

Good luck with your procedure tomorrow!

 

[pellicle]

Abbott test

Interesting
https://www.fda.gov/media/136525/downloadseems to be nucleic acid testing

 

[Freebird]

Interesting
https://www.fda.gov/media/136525/downloadseems to be nucleic acid testing

Help me out. That's beyond my pay grade. The link you posted is for the Abbott test? And it's nucleic acid testing? And this means what? Sorry way over my head.
While I'm sure it's not foolproof, I would think a hospital would choose their testing methods wisely if it means they had to call off an open heart surgery less than 24 hours ahead of time.

 

[pellicle]

Hi

Help me out.

sorry ... basically there are two ways to find if you have the virus,

1. detect the actual virus in some way
2. detect the antibodies you produce which indicate its presence

both have "sub sets" but 1. is the least "faulty".

So they used a better test but also not without false positives.

I think you're going to be fine

 

[Freebird]

Thanks for the clarification, Pellicle. Yeah the basic feeling I've gotten from my doctor, my husband's doctor and the various nurses we've been in contact with is that a positive result means it's highly likely correct. They all expressed much less confidence in negative results, some said 20-30% false negative rates.
This whole episode has become a bit of a parlor game in our household which just leaves us with so many unclear answers that I'm choosing to just be grateful that we are both feeling well and that my surgery has been rescheduled.
Living in this moment instead of going down past and future rat holes continues to reward me.

 

[vitdoc]

Survived the cardio version. Back in normal sinus rhythm.

As far as testing goes for Covid one can look for the active virus by checking for genetic material the virus has in this case RNA. The tiny amount of RNA is converted to complementary DNA which is amplified many times. This is PCR testing which is the most common and what Abbott labs does. There are variations on this procedure.

The second way active virus is found is by looking for bits of the virus particles not the RNA and using antibodies to see if the virus is present. If the antibodies find virus proteins the antibodies stick and fluorescent dyes light up.
This test is quick but currently probably not quite as sensitive as the RNA version.

Finally if one has been infected that individual will produce antibodies to the virus and using a blood test one can measure the level of anti Covid antibodies in that individual.
Hope this clears things up.

 

[Freebird]

Survived the cardio version. Back in normal sinus rhythm.

As far as testing goes for Covid one can look for the active virus by checking for genetic material the virus has in this case RNA. The tiny amount of RNA is converted to complementary DNA which is amplified many times. This is PCR testing which is the most common and what Abbott labs does. There are variations on this procedure.

The second way active virus is found is by looking for bits of the virus particles not the RNA and using antibodies to see if the virus is present. If the antibodies find virus proteins the antibodies stick and fluorescent dyes light up.
This test is quick but currently probably not quite as sensitive as the RNA version.

Finally if one has been infected that individual will produce antibodies to the virus and using a blood test one can measure the level of anti Covid antibodies in that individual.
Hope this clears things up.

Glad your procedure went well.

Is your opinion that the current antibody blood tests are accurate? My husband's doctor ordered one for him and the rule seems to be that it must be done at least 3 weeks past infection. Is there a rule as to how long he can wait before doing this test? i.e., If he gets the test in 3 months will it be accurate in determining if he was ever infected?

 

[vitdoc]

I don’t think there is a clear understanding of how long the antibodies last .
In general by around two weeks after infection one should start to be able to measure some antibody response. The questions that still are not fully answered are how many people get a good response and how long the response lasts. According to some reports there are some people that start to have a reduction in antibody levels relatively early.

 

[Freebird]

I'm ready for surgery tomorrow!
It has been quite a month! I was scheduled for surgery in July but tested positive for covid! It was a huge shock, the day before surgery. Thankfully I had no symptoms at all but I couldn't have my surgery until I tested negative twice.
All of this is the universe telling me that I am ready! Thanks to all in this group who have shared your stories. See you on the other side!

 

[ATHENS1964]

I wish you the best , I had AVR 3 week ago , now I am very good and my heart works better than ever . I wish the same to you .

 

[Freebird]

I wish you the best , I had AVR 3 week ago , now I am very good and my heart works better than ever . I wish the same to you .

Thank you Athens! I've been watching your progress and I'm so glad to hear this update! Thank you so much for sharing your story.

 

[Seaton]

I'm ready for surgery tomorrow!
It has been quite a month! I was scheduled for surgery in July but tested positive for covid! It was a huge shock, the day before surgery. Thankfully I had no symptoms at all but I couldn't have my surgery until I tested negative twice.
All of this is the universe telling me that I am ready! Thanks to all in this group who have shared your stories. See you on the other side!

Very best wishes for tomorrow, @Freebird.
And onwards to a good recovery.
Will be good to read your updates post surgery.

 

[dornole]

Wishing a smooth ride and a great outcome!

 

[greeny47]

Good luck. Hope your recovery is easy