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A 27-year-old female asked:

I was in close contact with someone who tested positive for covid, yesterday i had chest pains, fever, sore throat, fatigue and dizziness. i went to test yesterday and the results came back as negative. can my results be false negative?

2 doctor answers3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Mark Lubienski
Thoracic Surgery 39 years experience
Yes: Normally takes about 5 days to see symptoms post exposure so unless you were exposed earlier than you think probably not Covid yet. False positive and negative tests do occur. Would self quarantine, get rest and liquids and retest in 3-4 days. Work with physician if positive.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Heidi Fowler
Psychiatry 27 years experience
COVID 19: If the contact was yestedray, the test result may not be accurate. Average incubation period for COVID-19 is 2 to14 days (but as little as 1 day), median time is 4-5 days.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

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A 22-year-old female asked:
I am experiencing shortness of breath (severity: mild) (time frame: sudden) (worsened by: lying down) (unaffected by: psychological stress, exercise or physical activity) (better by: sitting upright) (unaffected by: rest), cough (worsened by: lying flat) (unaffected by: exposure to secondhand smoke, night time) (associated with: barky, hoarse, or hacking sound, whooping sound upon breathing in, phlegm or mucus) (not associated with: blood in phlegm, chronic, persistent in winter), fever (severity: mild), dizziness (worsened by: hot weather, lying flat, sitting upright) (unaffected by: changing head position, exercise, prolonged standing) (unaffected by: with fluids, rest), headache (severity: moderate) (time frame: sudden) (occurred: 1 - 3 hours) (side: front, left, right) (worsened by: sneeze or cough, being tired) (unaffected by: bending forward, changes in sleep pattern, psychological stress, exercise, being at high altitude, menstruation, skipping meals) (better by: rest) (unaffected by: stress management) (associated with: dull or aching sensation, sensation of pressure or fullness) (not associated with: occurring at the same time of day, sharp or stabbing feeling, throbbing sensation, wake you from sleep), aching muscles, generalized weakness, chills, body aches, chest congestion, difficulty breathing through nose, runny nose, sore throat, and nasal congestion. I have the following risk factor(s): living in or recent travel to high risk covid-19 region.
2 doctor answers5 doctors weighed in
Last updated Mar 8, 2022
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