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A CLAIM THAT a person with a cold or flu will test positive for Covid-19 has surfaced in Ireland in recent days after starting in the US.
The claim, which has appeared in several forms on social media, centres on an argument that conflates antibody testing for previous Covid-19 infections with viral testing for an existing case of Covid-19.
The claim originated in the US based on screenshots from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) which said that antibody testing for Covid-19 could return a positive result if the test detected antibodies for a cold.
The CDC statement has been used as the basis for claims on social media that tests for current Covid-19 cases will return a positive if the person tested has the cold or flu, or has ever received a vaccine for a cold or flu. There is no vaccine for a cold, despite what these claims say.
The claim has appeared on social media in Ireland in recent days.
One Ireland-based Facebook page that shared the claim wrote that “coronavirus testing can also be common cold or flu virus if you ever had the cold and flu jab you will test positive for covid 19”.
The post has been viewed 33,000 times in six days and attracted 183 shares.
The claim was spread in the United States on multiple platforms, including from a website called Intellihub.com, which wrote “Shocker: CDC admits Covid-19 ‘positive result’ just means you’ve previously contracted the ‘common cold’”.
Another Facebook post in Ireland that shares a screenshot of the article’s headline has been viewed 19,000 times in six days and includes the caption: “The government is trying to crash the economy over the common cold.”
The Evidence
The statement from the CDC relates to antibody testing for past infection with Covid-19, rather than viral testing for current cases of the virus, which is a completely different thing.
Viral tests are used to identify current cases of Covid-19 by using samples from the respiratory system. In Ireland, viral tests are carried out by swabbing the inside of the nose and the back of the throat.
Antibody tests, however, check the blood of the person being tested for antibodies that fight against Covid-19, which can indicate that a person has previously had a case of Covid-19 which their body sought to protect itself against by producing those antibodies.
It can take one to three weeks for a body to make antibodies after infection.
Viral tests will only pick up cases of Covid-19, not colds or flu.
Speaking to TheJournal.ie, lecturer in immunology and host-microbe interactions at the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Limerick, Dr Elizabeth J Ryan, said that viral tests for current cases of Covid-19 are “very specific” for material that is “only expressed by the Covid-19 virus”.
“Having a cold or flu won’t change that,” Dr Ryan said.
Similarly, Professor Kingston Mills, a professor of experimental immunology in Trinity’s School of Biochemistry and Immunology, told TheJournal.ie that the viral test for current Covid-19 cases is “very, very specific”.
The test is based on material that is unique to the virus, Professor Mills said, so it’s “not going to pick up influenza or common cold virus”.
The page on the CDC website that gives details on tests for past infection was last updated on 30 June and says a “positive test result shows you may have antibodies from an infection with the virus that causes Covid-19”.
“However, there is a chance a positive result means that you have antibodies from an infection with a virus from the same family of viruses (called coronaviruses), such as the one that causes the common cold,” the CDC statement says.
The CDC is warning here that an antibody test – a test for past infection with Covid-19 – could have the potential to return a false positive result for Covid-19 if the person tested has created antibodies for another infection caused by a different type of coronavirus, like one that can cause a cold.
Dr Ryan said that some antibody tests which are not properly validated are not specific enough for the virus they are testing for and can pick up other antibodies instead, giving a “false positive test”.
Validated tests are ones which have been rigorously tested in a laboratory environment, such as by verifying the test through samples of the virus that have already tested positive.
The World Health Organization has warned against using rapid tests that have not been validated, except in a research setting.
“Coronavirus, if you are infected with the virus, will be in your system for a couple of weeks. Your immune system will clear this, and in the process of clearing it, you will mount an antibody response – an immune response,” Dr Ryan said.
“Most people will produce antibodies when they’re infected. The antibody test is looking for those antibodies.
The antibody tests are not all equal. Some tests from different manufacturers have been properly validated, and those properly validated tests will test the specific antibody to Covid-19. Other coronaviruses [than Covid-19] exist and can cause the common cold. We’ve all had them, probably, at some point, so we will all have antibodies in our system to those viruses.
“Tests that have been properly validated and gone through proper regulatory channels will account for that and we will look for that when we’re developing those tests, to make sure that there is no cross-reactivity between the virus that causes Covid-19 and other coronaviruses.
“You will only have antibodies to Covid-19 if you have had the virus,” she said.
Some private laboratories in Ireland are offering antibody testing for Covid-19 at a charge, but antibody testing for Covid-19 is not being carried out widely among the public in Ireland at present.
The HSE and the UCD National Virus Reference Laboratory are currently using antibody testing for a study looking to estimate the number of people in the country who have been infected with Covid-19.
Antibody tests are not currently counted towards daily reporting of the number of Covid-19 cases in Ireland. The number of cases is counted using the results of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests – that is, tests that identify an existing infection with Covid-19.
Professor Mills also said that 10-minute or strip tests for antibody testing which have not been properly validated could falsely return a positive result due to colds, but that properly validated tests for antibodies are specific to Covid-19.
The HSE antibody study uses properly validated tests. Participants have a blood test carried out in a local centre with a nurse, and the blood sample is sent to the National Virus Reference Laboratory in UCD, where it is tested for antibodies.
Although people in Ireland can obtain a flu vaccine, there is no vaccine against the common cold.
Colds can be causes by several different types of viruses, including rhinoviruses, adenoviruses, and coronaviruses.
The Verdict
Antibody testing and viral testing are carried out differently and look for different things.
Antibody testing identifies past infection with a virus by looking for antibodies in blood that the body has produced against the virus. Viral testing looks for an existing case of the virus, and is done with a sample from the respiratory system – that is, a swab to the throat and/or nose.
The statement from the CDC said that an antibody test – a test for a past infection – for Covid-19 could pick up antibodies for other types of coronaviruses, such as a cold.
The CDC’s statement has been used to spread a claim that tests for Covid-19 – including tests for existing cases – will return a positive result if the person has a cold or flu, or if they have ever had a vaccine against the cold or flu.
Although there is a chance that an antibody test that is not properly validated can return a false positive due to a cold that was caused by a coronavirus, a test that is properly validated will only identify antibodies that the body has produced against Covid-19.
The flu is caused by a different virus entirely, and cannot cause a false positive result.
An antibody test will not return a positive due to a person previously being vaccinated against the flu. Additionally, a vaccine against the common cold does not exist.
Testing for an existing case of Covid-19 will not return a positive result due to a cold or flu.
As a result, we rate the claim that a common cold can cause a positive result for a Covid-19 test: FALSE.
As per our verdict guide, this means: The claim is inaccurate.
TheJournal.ie’s FactCheck is a signatory to the International Fact-Checking Network’s Code of Principles. You can read it here. For information on how FactCheck works, what the verdicts mean, and how you can take part, check out our Reader’s Guide here. You can read about the team of editors and reporters who work on the factchecks here.
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Okay, but from my point of view I changed from a 12 year old car which was expensive to run €690 tax a year for a 3 year old small car which I can tax, insure and get 4 tanks of fuel for the same price as my old tax. I needed finance but there comes a point, especially when you are mechanically minded when needs must.
Missed out a not there, maybe should add technologically challenged too! :)
The scandal of those with pre 2008 cars, having to subsidise the motor tax of those with newer cars continues.
Idiot
€952 for 11 year old car to €390 for 151. It was time for me to change too
@Eddie – Excuse me Eddie Byrne! Did I write something that is factually incorrect?
@TheD: Pre-2008 car owners, you are not only subsidising the annual Car Tax of New Car Buyers but also their Water charges … 2/3 of Irish Water funds paid from Car Tax. €444 is the average car tax for pre-2008 cars while €218 is the average for new car owners. Obscene, regressive and the most unfair car tax system in the EU. UK MPs refused to pass this car tax law in the UK parliament in 2004. Time to change Ok … the Government.
Why is the Golf so popular in Ireland? Its ridiculously expensive for its size.
They keep they’re value well though so you’ll get that back eventually. In the meantime you’ll get to drive the best car in that class. The VW group spend more on R&D than any other major car company and it shows. Just my 2 cents.
And no, I don’t work for VW..
Poor man’s Audi.
Jasus it’s awful boring though !!
Traditionally VW come with few standardised gismos. U pay for every bell & whistle they give & its expensive.
I find it hard to believe VW invest big time in R&D – Surely theres huge savings on the body design of the Golf which is basically the same for the past 40 yrs with a few tweeks here & there !
http://fortune.com/2014/11/17/top-10-research-development/
There you go. The VW Golf is their biggest selling car worldwide so I’ve no doubt a good chunk of that R&D eventually finds its way into it in some form or other.
I agree on the poor spec but it has got a lot better in the last few years versus the main competitors
It may be relatively easy to get finance on a new car but almost impossible to get any finance/loan for a car over 5 years old. I’d rather buy a decent second hand car for thousands less with affordable payments than paying for brand new car with higher payments and as soon as you drive out of the forecourt, the value of that little ‘investment’ drops by at least €5,000! I bought my jalopy in 2011 with 66.000 miles on clock for €2,100. I certainly have got the value from her and owe nothing. I’ll never buy a new car as in my opinion it’s money down the toilet.
Not only is it money down the toilet, but for the most part, it’s money out of the country. And because of all the sheep buying a VW Golf, it’s going straight back to Germany. Way to go.
This is largely because of the massive amount of taxation levied on cars in this country. If you were living in the UK you could buy a new BMW, drive it around for 3 years and then sell it in Ireland at a profit.
Well, there’s an economy argument folks have to weigh up re reliability and also things like fuel efficiency and tax bills, which penalise older cars with dirtier engines (by and large). It pays to sit down with a calculator and work out the total cost of ownership of a jalopy vs a newer car, perhaps with an extended warranty and service package included.
As to your comment Frederick, which brand of Irish-made car would you recommend?
The only way that calculation will ever work out in favour of a new car is if the new car is an electric car and you buy it before December of this year.
Aaron, in response to your facetious comment, I would suggest more people walk, cycle and use public transportation. The demand will drive supply, except in the most rural of areas. There you can stick with your diesel Toyota Corolla or whatever tickles your fancy. But better to go second hand for your Corolla since you are effectively “recycling” a car and avoiding repeat exodus of money out of the country. Cars will easily last 250k km if serviced properly and regularly. That would be 15 years or more for a typical Irish user, yet the average age of an Irish car is much less.
@jack race.
A hybrid is prob better.
I know of only 1 recharging point in Dublin – Across from the Mater Hos. In Dublin.
Electric cars are of no interest to people travelling long return distances – the ‘refuelling’ facilities are just not available yet.
I changed last year – Main Reason – Road Tax – Reduced by €300 a year.
I saw a Nissan Pulsar today. Probably just picked up from the garage going by the license plate and the driving.
The drivers door was visibly open. The drivers door and door behind it had a fresh gouge taken out of them. The driver was driving with the hand brake on.
It was comical to watch. He couldn’t accelerate over 30kmph. I followed him for around 2k he eventually clicked that his door was open and a few minutes later that his hand brake was on.
You’re forgetting about all those employed in the motor trade in Ireland, distribution as well as dealers
Aaron, as my jalopy has cost me approx €500 in repairs since 2011, I’ve no need to sit down with a calculator. She may have a few grey hairs but she’s all mine. No monthly payments of a minimum of €250 (after deposit and before balloon payment at the end).If the tax was even free on a new car and mine €710, I’m still far better off financially than someone driving around in a brand new car losing money everytime they pull out of the driveway. People buy into the ‘oh you save money by buying a new car’….no you don’t!
That’s great, selfsustainable – Any hints on type/mileage when you got it? There are great deals out there, and to clarify I’d suggest going second hand; but so too there’s a lot of bangers that’d cost you more in repairs and heartache than spending a few grand more. My suggestion was more, pay for something better – But yes, I’d let someone else (who is happy to take the hit and can afford it) take that horrific year 1-2-3 depreciation.
Frederick, a 10 or 15 year old car is significantly more damaging to the environment and unsafe compared to even a 5 year old car, especially if it has been driven 15 or 20,000 km a year.
Believe it or not it’s a jag X – type, people told me bad things about them but I couldn’t pass on a bargain! automatic and decent enough on fuel. I’m used to the larger engine so I’d find it hard to move down. Guy who owned it was an older gentleman and treated it like a baby so everything perfect. I got burned years ago spending a lot of money on nearly new mini Cooper and bloody thing never gave me a days peace so I buy cheap now as even if it blows up, I’m not out thousands on repairs. If I win the euro millions, I’ll buy new! Until then I can’t justify it.
I just bought a 14 yo Audi. It’s doing 58mpg on diesel. Flew through NCT , so it is safe and clean. It has full leather, sat nav, sun roof, cruise control, low mileage, reversing sensors etc.
I’ve had new cars and nearly new cars.
The €1100 I spent on this car will make it cost me €5 per week for 4 years.
Beat that with a new car.
I’d rather have an accident in my 10 year old ‘unsafe’ Honda Accord than a brand new Micra, thank you.
Why would a 10 years old car be unsafe? I can guarantee you that you’ll be better of in my 10 year old Accord than in a brand new Micra if you were involved in an accident.
This boom is being fuelled with easy access to credit through the manufactures finance offerings to boost sales. A sign of recovery yes but not as strong an indicator as may be perceived
Also a lot of cars being bought by fleet companies.
Tom if they are being bought by fleet companies, that is the best sign the economy is picking up. Companies don’t spend money unless they expect to grow.
Is there anything more boring than a VW Golf? Never understood the obsession in Ireland.
I think there’s a kind of misguided belief in Ireland that Volkswagen is a premium brand like BMW or Audi, when in fact it is a mass market brand for the people (the eponymous “Volks”). Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but I always chuckle when someone tells me they got a Passat or whatever, as if they’re driving a Mercedes or a Lexis. No, you’re driving a Volkswagen, which might as well be a Ford or a Toyota.
I don’t think brand matters too much. I would take a Golf R over any mercedes or audi minus amg or RS.
Also looking at european car of the year vw passat won 2015 and vw golf current generation won 2013 so they must be doing something right as these are not based on sales
Serious waist of money buying a brand new car,the value drops in thousands the moment your handed the keys.
It’s estimated that 60% of these new car sales are on HP Personal Contract Plans(PCP’s). Very low monthly repayments enable you to drive off in a brand new car which you will either refinance at the end of three years or hand the keys back and actually own nothing at the end of term. A perfect example of the motor industry creating its own little bubble which has huge potential to end in tears. Pay 10% deposit and away you go down the slippery slope.
The same Nigel that honed his driving skills in St Michaels ??
Yes if you’re a debtor, no if you’re a creditor.
Great deals in second cars out there would never buy a brand new car again I was caught in that loop and it costs ….They devalue way too quickly and you never get that back
It was always going to happen as the economy improves… A surge of people who delayed making large purchases and who’s current cars are becoming more uneconomical are hitting the market.
The surge is going to be bigger the more troubled the economy has been in the last few years because there will be more pent up demand
That’s usually another good indicator of a recovering economy.
Bought my first ever new car last year. I love it.
However I can afford it. Drove a banger for years beforehand and waited until I had more than enough in the bank so I wouldn’t experience buyer’s remorse.
If you need to borrow more than 10k for a car…you probably can’t afford that car. (Unless you’ve got some amazing cash revenue…)…
Ah, ask me arse, Journal. Yeah, we’re all rolling in it. The thought hasn’t occurred to you that owing to this Government’s policies it costs an enormous amount in in Road Tax, NCT fees and even insurance, to keep a perfectly serviceable older car on the road? People are being forced into acquiring new cars for that reason – all on either HP or Bank finance. Yes, indeedy, we have turned the corner and we are all stinkin’ rich.
The gardai could do with upgrading thierr fleet.
When that happens I will start to take the recovery serious
You won’t complain about the Government buying cars instead of medicines?
Great news for germany more sales here means more money for Angela Merkel
Why do people think of German cars being sold in Ireland, as Imports.
Thanks to FF, Germany owns Ireland now – there a ‘home’ brand !!!
We dont make cars in ireland so therefore they are imports !
Technically they are a domestic eurozone brand.
Some of the maths done on here is incredible, I’ll save 600 on tax so I’ll borrow 10,000 and have a newer car???
I drive a 1500 euro van, 2007 combo with 350.000 miles on it, passed it’s doe last week without a single hitch because I maintain it perfectly well and it does 860 miles to a tank of diesel (€55)…….never again will I spend big money on a car or van that will deflate in the thousands every year just to say I have a 151 plate or what ever
The trade in the 14 for the 15 figures are up . I know people who have brand new cars that didn’t buy them there on finance and they trade up every year . I doubt people are splashing out on 40’000 new cars sorry I think trade ups are been used to bump the figures.
Financing them You mean, big difference
No NCT worries, lower tax, safer, better equipment, more fuel efficient – all good reasons to purchase a new car
@stephen kearon…….no nct problems save u a hundred quid approx, modern or non modern diesels are equally as efficient more or less, tax might save u a few hundred, higher comp insurance because of higher value, something goes wrong and it’s main dealer plug in time. Not to mention a huge hole in your wage packet due to the lease/ loan costs
Was that headline a play on “sh!tload of new cars”?….never heard the terminology “a shedload” !
You wouldn’t have heard of it, would you?
I have, Alan, and it makes a whole lot more sense than ‘a shitload’ if you thought about it for even on second. :-(
Pre-2008 car owners are subsidising the annual Car Tax of well off New Car Buyers and subsidising their Water charges also. Ireland a disgusting place to live.
I think it’s more a sign that more people are getting better at scrimping on the necessitates to pay for the showey item’s such as a car then they were the last couple of years
That headline is very deceptive considering I understand up to 75% of cars are on PCP deals! would this then makes sense quite simply as the countries mentioned are already accustomed to historic cheap credit? From a cash flow perspective those depending on cars It will make sense to take those deals based on short term needs and lower road tax and running costs of new car. Nothing whatsoever to do with affluence or buying as its to quite a degree just another form of credit without any asset base
I blame Taxi drivers lol.
have your say