Covid - Symptoms and negative lateral.

[babysunshine20]

Hi my son has tested positive for covid and has several symptoms on Friday. Today I have got a very sore throat and headache. My lateral tests are showing negative. How long will it take until the lateral tests pick up a positive? Has this happened to anyone else?
Thank you 😊

I didn't test positive on a lateral flow until 2 days after positive pcr

If you’ve got symptoms you should have a PCR, not an LFT.

Yes. DH tested positive on a LFT. 2 days later, my symptoms started but I tested negative on a LFT. Didn't test positive for another 2 days. As you have a positive case in the house and you have symptoms yourself, I would assume that you have it and will test positive in a day or 2.

I ordered pcrs yesterday, they arrived today. Will do it tomorrow and send it off at the post office. I just wandered if it had happened to anyone else.

@GeneLovesJezebel

If you’ve got symptoms you should have a PCR, not an LFT.

This is correct. I ordered a PCR the day after my symptoms started. But then tested positive on a LFT before the PCR arrived in the post.

Thanks everyone, I will re test tomorrow.

I never tested positive on an LFT, only on a PCR.

I'd not be surprised if the PCR picks it up if you are a few days in with symptoms.

No other advice really OP, but wishing you a quick recovery and minimal suffering while you have it.

My symptoms started last Wednesday, negative lft on the same day. Positive lft and PCR on Thursday. Feel better soon

Omicron is more present in saliva than nose, early on. Try a lateral flow swabbing the back of your throat then one nostril. I went from an "is it / isn't it" faint positive to a clear positive by doing this.

Thanks everyone for your advice. I'm still sick. I've tested positive on a lateral test this morning. Ended up doing a pcr aswell, the whole family did them.

DH tested positive 1/2 day after symptoms appeared on LFT, he wasn’t able to order a PCR at all.

I tested positive on LFT two days after symptoms. I didn’t even bother trying to order a PCR.

Not sure if the PCR problem is now over but we found it doesn’t really matter, we were all ill enough to stay in bed for a couple of days.

I assume they will phase out PCRs for the majority of people soon anyway.