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I'm Going On A Camping Trip This Weekend With Four
Question: I'm going on a camping trip this weekend with four friends. We each got a COVID test this week. We won't be in contact with anyone else during the trip. I live with my girlfriend, who is not going on the trip. Following the trip, I am going to stay with my friend (who is also going on the trip), we will get tested again, and then I will go home after the (hopefully negative) results.
Is there anything else we should be doing to protect ourselves from this lovely virus? Is staying with my friend after the trip worthwhile, or is it not so because of the virus' incubation period. I live in New York City.
Thank you.
Is there anything else we should be doing to protect ourselves from this lovely virus? Is staying with my friend after the trip worthwhile, or is it not so because of the virus' incubation period. I live in New York City.
Thank you.
Brief Answer:
uncertain...
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Your question is not easy to answer... Let me comment on the information you've given first:
- a negative test is good obviously but not 100% trustworthy. Many factors may come into play. A carrier of the virus may be asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic and test negative. A patient with a very mild infection may be more likely to test negative than a patient with serious symptoms. And there are factors that affect the quality of the sample, the actual test (PCR vs antibody test), etc. So even if all 4 of you are negative at this time, this is not proof that you're not infectious.
- similarly, when you get back, a negative test won't mean you're 100% safe and not a danger to others. For example if your friend catches the virus, it may incubate for a couple of weeks and become infectious in the meantime. Suppose that he transmits the virus to you after 10 days and the virus incubates inside your body for another 10 days. Both of you may test negative. So how long are you going to stay with your friend? You can never be 100% sure.
So getting back to your question... Staying with your friend gives the virus some time to become evident. It also gives time to the test to become positive (if you've been infected meanwhile). Unfortunately, you can never be 100% certain. What you can do, is to take the necessary precautions (keep a distance from other people, wear a face mask wherever you go and wash your hands whenever you touch potentially infected objects).
I hope I've answered your question. Please let me know if you need further assistance.
Kind Regards,
Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis,
Internal Medicine Specialist
uncertain...
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Your question is not easy to answer... Let me comment on the information you've given first:
- a negative test is good obviously but not 100% trustworthy. Many factors may come into play. A carrier of the virus may be asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic and test negative. A patient with a very mild infection may be more likely to test negative than a patient with serious symptoms. And there are factors that affect the quality of the sample, the actual test (PCR vs antibody test), etc. So even if all 4 of you are negative at this time, this is not proof that you're not infectious.
- similarly, when you get back, a negative test won't mean you're 100% safe and not a danger to others. For example if your friend catches the virus, it may incubate for a couple of weeks and become infectious in the meantime. Suppose that he transmits the virus to you after 10 days and the virus incubates inside your body for another 10 days. Both of you may test negative. So how long are you going to stay with your friend? You can never be 100% sure.
So getting back to your question... Staying with your friend gives the virus some time to become evident. It also gives time to the test to become positive (if you've been infected meanwhile). Unfortunately, you can never be 100% certain. What you can do, is to take the necessary precautions (keep a distance from other people, wear a face mask wherever you go and wash your hands whenever you touch potentially infected objects).
I hope I've answered your question. Please let me know if you need further assistance.
Kind Regards,
Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis,
Internal Medicine Specialist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you Dr. Zografakis.
I am aware that it's possible for one of us to have the virus and still test negative, either in one of the pre-trip tests or one of the post-trip tests. I'm trying to do everything I can, short of cancelling the short trip. Following the trip I would only be staying with my friend for a few days; we return Sunday night, and we'll get tested on Monday. The results would likely be available on Wednesday. It sounds from your answer that even though it's possible for one of us to contract the virus and still test negative on Monday, it's still worth doing because there's also a chance that the test will sense the virus.
So, we will be sure to wear masks, wash our hands, and get tested following the trip. Is there anything else you would recommend?
Thank you. I really appreciate it.
I am aware that it's possible for one of us to have the virus and still test negative, either in one of the pre-trip tests or one of the post-trip tests. I'm trying to do everything I can, short of cancelling the short trip. Following the trip I would only be staying with my friend for a few days; we return Sunday night, and we'll get tested on Monday. The results would likely be available on Wednesday. It sounds from your answer that even though it's possible for one of us to contract the virus and still test negative on Monday, it's still worth doing because there's also a chance that the test will sense the virus.
So, we will be sure to wear masks, wash our hands, and get tested following the trip. Is there anything else you would recommend?
Thank you. I really appreciate it.
Brief Answer:
stay at least 2m from other people
Detailed Answer:
You're welcome! I'm sorry for the delayed answer.
Yes, the test may miss the virus in certain occasions. It's worth doing it though because this is the only way to detect it.
Testing is not the most important part though. Keeping a distance from others is the most efficient way to avoid getting COVID-19. If there's no way to keep the necessary distance (2 meters) then wearing a mask will reduce - but no eliminate, regardless of the type of mask you're going to use - the chances of getting the virus. Washing the hands is very important as well. Try to keep in mind that the virus is less likely to be transmitted when you're in the open air. Shut windows and lack of fresh air make the transmission much easier.
My best wishes for a pleasant trip!
stay at least 2m from other people
Detailed Answer:
You're welcome! I'm sorry for the delayed answer.
Yes, the test may miss the virus in certain occasions. It's worth doing it though because this is the only way to detect it.
Testing is not the most important part though. Keeping a distance from others is the most efficient way to avoid getting COVID-19. If there's no way to keep the necessary distance (2 meters) then wearing a mask will reduce - but no eliminate, regardless of the type of mask you're going to use - the chances of getting the virus. Washing the hands is very important as well. Try to keep in mind that the virus is less likely to be transmitted when you're in the open air. Shut windows and lack of fresh air make the transmission much easier.
My best wishes for a pleasant trip!
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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