How long after having covid did you get a negative LF test?

[bendmeoverbackwards]

I’ve heard of people still testing positive weeks later!

Obviously the tests are not that accurate so do you rely on a negative result before resuming normal life?

When I had Covid, I tested negative again on day 11. This was back in march (in Scotland) when the isolation period was 10 days. I went out (walking the dog, not the pub or anything) on day 10 when I was allowed out. I knew I was still testing positive but it was very very faint and I knew I was unlikely to be contagious.

I didn't do a test to see if I was negative. Kept away from people for 5 days and then got back to normal

Last week it was day 12. I thought I never get a negative result as it seemed to be positive every day.

@Kenneldogsrock you isolated until you got a negative result?

3 days which I was surprised at!

I was still faintly positive on day 13. I'm afraid I gave up testing after that. I wasn't even that unwell with it!

Kids were negative on day 3.

It’s so random! So are people isolating until they test negative? Likewise if you get a negative test after only 3 days, do you carry on with life as normal?

I was still positive on day ten but at that point I cracked on with my life.

DD tested positive last Sunday. She has been isolating all week. She did a test this morning and it was still positive but she feels well and no longer has symptoms so went to work.

I am day 6 and it’s very feint now. Stayed in until today but been food shopping as running out!

You can still test positive but not be contagious. When we had Covid the first time round in March 2020 the NHS guidance was not to test using an LFT for 90 days after a positive PCR as they could still pick up dead virus cells and show positive.

Having said the above, DH tested positive on Monday and tested negative yesterday.

DH tested negative today, day 12. I'm still positive on day 9.

How the hell can you tell if you’re still infectious then? 3 days seems too short but 12 days is ridiculous!

Dd and I both have covid currently. Her school now say they only have to isolate for 3 days and providing they feel well they can return to school without testing again. Is this usual practice in schools now? Dd is worried about going back while she’s still infectious.

Yes its 3 days for children and 5 days for adults. Its not law though only advice

I was positive still on 9th day, on day 10 finally i saw 1line on lateral flow test.
That was in January when Omicron variant was quite high.

Day 13 for me. Although 2 different branded tests had different results on them. The flow flex ones I'd tested on all week was positive that morning. Doubtful it was a dodgy box of LFT's as I'd used another 2 boxes in the same brand and they were also positive. Got sent 2 more boxes from work and these were the original LFT's the ones you shove down your throat as well as up your nose. Did one of those negative. Had 1 more of the old tests left so decided to do that one too and that one was positive. Just pleased I can't test again for 90 days now.

Day 11

Are you all counting Day 1 as the day you tested positive OR the day your symptoms started?
(I tested negative on days 1 and 2 of symptoms, then positive on days 4 and 5 - haven't tested since, but still feel ill, so presuming I'm still positive and don't want to waste another test too soon!)
I'm at Day 7 of symptoms now.

I tested positive last Weds and then negative by the Sunday. But I had been feeling ropey for a few days and put it down to bad hay fever. So no idea how long I’d actually been positive.

It is hard to tell unless you are still testing twice a week for work.

I was negative on day 13, after testing positive. I felt ill three days before, and knew I had it as DH had tested positive.

So is it ok for dd to go back to school after 3 days of isolation? Or should she wait until she’s testing negative?

A dd had it recently - 2nd time - mildest possible symptoms, tested negative after only 3 or 4 days.
First time we all had it, about 12 days IIRC.

What does school say?
There isn't a requirement to test again

@dementedpixie school say she doesn’t need to test again and can return if she’s feeling well. But dd is not sure she agrees with this and is worried about infecting people!

Just stop all testing - it is pointless & not required. Your child is just trying to skive off school!