Could the tests for COVID not be accurate?

Question

I have been sick since Thursday (sore throat). My spouse tested positive for COVID on Friday night. My sore throat continued on Saturday with a runny nose. COVID test negative. On Sunday, I had trouble standing. My head was dizzy ++, coughing a lot. Headache. Pain in the ears. Test negative Monday morning, although a little better, COVID test still negative. I have been taking paxlovid since Friday night (immunosuppressed). I am vaccinated 5x (last dose Monday September 5th) I was not careful with my spouse considering we had sex the day after. I picked up his tissues, I even did his COVID test. We sleep together. Especially considering I'm sick too. Last January, I went through the same thing. I never had a positive rapid test, and I had done my covid vaccine 10 days before. Thank you! Is it possible that my spouse did not give it to me or my son even though we did not take any precautions in the house? he is vaccinated

Naji-tom Samaha · Accepted Answer

Good morning, ma'am, The rapid tests for COVID give a positive result when the person is infected with the virus between 73 and 100% of the time. While this may indicate the possibility of false negatives (i.e. the test is negative but the person is actually infected), performing multiple tests can help reduce the amount of uncertainty If all of your tests are negative, I would be inclined to think that you have not been infected with the virus in question. Sincerely, Tom Samaha, Pharmacist There are indeed case reports and multiple situations where some of the members of a household have been diagnosed positive while the others have not, so yes it is possible.