My wife tested positive, and I tested COVID negative. Is my result wrong?

Question

Hi doctor,

I need advice for me and my wife. She is 5 months pregnant. We both went for a covid test as I became ill and had all the symptoms of COVID-19. My wife did not have any symptoms but she was also tested as she is pregnant and we had a lot of contacts. The results came back yesterday. My wife got a positive result and I got a negative result. But I am still sick and not feeling better. Can my test results be wrong?

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern and I will definitely help you regarding it. It is important to note that the sensitivity of RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) test in detecting covid infection is around 70 percent only which means that only 70 out of 100 positive samples will actually show positive. As you and your wife were in close contact, it is very much possible that your wife can have an asymptomatic covid infection while you are symptomatic. You both should treat yourselves as COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) positive patients. You should count your symptom from the first day and have home isolation for 14 days. Keep monitoring your oxygen saturation using a pulse oximeter and take enough fluids. The treatment is only supportive for mild cases. All the best for your rapid, uneventful recovery and take care.