Coronavirus: Have COVID-19 symptoms but testing negative? Here's what it could mean

The SARs-COV-2 virus is a respiratory illness that could affect both our upper and lower respiratory tract. It could cause symptoms ranging from a fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, runny nose and body pain to severe symptoms including shortness of breath, chest pain, breathlessness and low blood oxygen levels in the body. Having one or more such symptoms could indicate COVID-19, especially if we were witnessing a surge in coronavirus cases. But now that we're past the Omicron-driven wave and cases are plummeting, do our symptoms really mean COVID? What could getting a negative test even when a person is sick actually mean? Let us try and find out.

Also read: Upper respiratory vs. lower respiratory tract infection: Which COVID-19 variant affects what and how serious can it get

There could be many reasons behind a negative test result even when you are down with COVID symptoms. Firstly, it depends on the type of test you get. You could either get a rapid antigen test or an RT PCR test. But comparatively, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test is said to be the gold standard for detecting the presence of the coronavirus in the body. While a rapid test delivers prompt results and is still efficient in detecting COVID-19, a PCR testing cuts down the chances of false negatives.

However, false negatives with RT PCR testing is still a possibility. If the samples from the patient are not collected properly, it could hamper with the accuracy. Additionally, if the virus is still in its early stage of replication or if the person has a low viral load in the body, it could result in a false negative even when they are showing all the symptoms of coronavirus.

Also read: Are women dying needlessly from heart issues?

While there is no solid evidence to prove that COVID variants can dodge testing and tracking, experts have said that the new Stealth Omicron, which is the BA.2 sub-lineage of the Original Omicron variant, lacks a key mutation in the spike protein that helps it avoid detection.

Scientists suggest that unlike COVID's Omicron variant that contains a genetic change known as a deletion in the “S” (spike) gene, which allows the healthcare providers to detect the variant, the stealth or BA.2 subvariant lacks this S gene drop out making it difficult to track. This is also one of the reasons why the new substrain is being termed as the "stealth".

However, much remains under speculation and more research is being conducted to understand the functions of the BA.2 subvariant.

Another reason why you're getting a negative test result even when you have COVID symptoms is that it could probably be something other than the coronavirus illness.

Over two years have passed by since COVID-19 impacted our lives. But before this deadly disease invaded our lives, we were still battling other respiratory illnesses like the flu or a common cold. That said, other than the SARs-COV-2 virus, there are other viruses that are as contagious as the deadly virus and can lead to symptoms that may resemble the COVID-19.

Although you may test negative for COVID, if you have symptoms, you must continue isolating yourself from the others. Stay home, wear your masks, rest until you feel better.

Continue monitoring your symptoms and if your condition worsens, seek medical help immediately. It is important to understand that other respiratory illnesses can also spread and severely impact those who are vulnerable and have pre-existing medical conditions.