New cough 6 weeks after covid - PCR or not?

[Mooscow]

I'm so confused. 13 year old DS had covid 6 weeks ago, PCR confirmed. He's now got a sore throat and what I think is laryngitis as he's pretty much lost his voice. He's now started coughing a bit, it sounds like a barking cough like a croup cough.

Do I need to do another PCR? I thought you don't retest for 90 days after covid but his school are saying he needs another test. Won't it still be positive from covid 6 weeks ago?

It's a difficult one.

My dad tested negative 42 days (so about the 6 week mark) after having covid on a PCR he needed for travel.

Technically new symptom = new test but there's a chance he could test positive from old infection.

You may just need to keep him off and isolate him.

Yes. New symptoms, new PCR regardless of dates

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms/what-to-do-if-you-get-symptoms-again/

New symptoms have always required a new PCR test, it's only routine testing you're meant to avoid. If you've any lfts at home you could do one of those as a useful first screener.

My son is the same. He's 6 weeks post covid infection and his cough has returned (although it never went completely). I've heard of this happening with others and looking on the internet it's quite common. We did do an LFT which was negative. Mind you, considering keeping him off school anyway cause I think he needs the rest.

But how will I know if he actually has covid or its picking up the covid he had 6 weeks ago? Is it even possible to get covid twice within 6 weeks?

LFT is negative by the way, and I'm keeping him off school anyway.

You won't know for sure and that's the rub - you don't necessarily have to test but you should still isolate him. It sucks and you're between a rock and a hard place.

@Mooscow

But how will I know if he actually has covid or its picking up the covid he had 6 weeks ago? Is it even possible to get covid twice within 6 weeks?

You won’t. Hopefully it will be negative.

New covid six weeks later is pretty unlikely but you still need to test him for new symptoms.

Im wondering the sAme although my ds only has a slight sore throat
Lft negative so he has no main symptom so i guess we just monitor and if any develop then we pcr ?
Or would you pcr on a slight sore throat only ?

@worriedatthemoment

Im wondering the sAme although my ds only has a slight sore throat Lft negative so he has no main symptom so i guess we just monitor and if any develop then we pcr ? Or would you pcr on a slight sore throat only ?

@worriedatthemoment I read the other day that one of the more common symptoms of the Omicron variant was a scratchy throat so it might be worthwhile, even just to rule it out.

@ColettesEarrings i thought that was combined with other things
Maybe i will keep him hone today and call go for advice

*Gp , I think we only have couple of omicron in the area as well
But will keep him home as no one wants to catch whatever he has anyway. He's been home since monday anyway when he said it first developed , can't get a pcr as doesn't. Meet any criteria

@ContadoraExplorer its not scratchy just sore when he swallows , more so in the morning than evening all though still slightly there , he said it hurt this morning again but totally gone now
Its so hard with him as he does suffer allergies as well so sore throats / runny nose he can pick up for a day or two from exposure to dust or mould. Spoken to 119 who say if he has a test it may show positive from previous infection and to test if has new symptoms such as cough , temp etc . Its all so confusing , dr said to speak to 119 re another test if worth doing but otherwise treat with usual paracetamol if needed and also keep eye out any other symptoms , stay home until well etc , basically not much use
Not sure how long a covid infection gives you immunity or if at all