To think I’m not in the wrong for testing my son

[Youcanbesweet]

My mother seems to think so. He has a bad cough so I’ve got him to Do a Covid test. We were all positive late July. My thinking is he will probably be sent home from school anyway with the cough.

Why does she think you're being U?

Though apparently tests aren't very reliable 3 months after you've had covid.

Is the cough constant? DS has had a cough which is intermittent but worse in the morning, first thing mainly. We did a lateral flow which was negative and had just come back from holidaying, where the cough first started and she had a negative PCR so the school were happy to keep her there.

Just go to your local drive through testing centre and get him tested, he's your son not your mothers.

Without the previous positive result I'd say of course you are not unreasonable.

Given the previous result he should not be using lateral flow within 90 days as they are inaccurate. I'd call 119 and see what they say about a PCR. That way you have the response for school too if it's an issue.

His lateral flows are negative but I’m mindful that mine were and I was positive on pcr

Yes it’s constant and sounds quite bad. No temperature though which is good

Did he have it when you did in July OP? You’re not supposed to do a PCR within 90 days of a previous infection as it can show positive for a long time after recovery.

I just don’t want to risk sending him to school where he could make his teachers and other students unwell

He did have it in July we all did unfortunately.

It’s very unlikely he has it again but what’s the harm in testing?

@WeRTheOnesWeHaveBeenWaitingFor

It’s very unlikely he has it again but what’s the harm in testing?

No harm in it, but it’s advised that you don’t test within 90 days of a previous infection.

Actually ignore me, I just checked and it says ‘unless they develop new symptoms’.
Just be mindful that it may be positive as a result of his infection in July, not because he has Covid now.

Yes that’s what my mother said we may end up isolating for an old infection

Which I’m prepared for

Your child will end up isolating for the cough if you don't test anyway so you may as well know what you're dealing with

My son had a cough with no temperature. Negative lateral flow but still cough was too bad to send to school without knowing for sure. Got PCR which was negative. Felt then I could send him in without feeling he was going to cause a problem at school. Result within 24 hours

Yes that’s what I said to my mother the school will likely send him home anyway

Hi @Youcanbesweet ,

I work in a school - guidance is quite clear if your child has one of the three Covid symptoms - new cough, high temp, loss of taste or smell, then get a PCR done, child must isolate until results are back. If positive then 10 days isolation from start of symptoms. If negative can go back to school.

Hth

Thank you the issue mainly is that obviously he’s tested possible in the last 90 dqys

I may be wrong, but I think that the testing positive up to 90 days before is more of an issue with the lateral flow testing.

May be best to contact 119 (I think they are the Covid helpline) and ask them for advice?

@TickandSired

I may be wrong, but I think that the testing positive up to 90 days before is more of an issue with the lateral flow testing.

May be best to contact 119 (I think they are the Covid helpline) and ask them for advice?

No, it’s more of an issue with PCR as the PCR is far more sensitive and can pick up fragments of the virus for months after infection.

You mum us right you shouldn’t test for 90 days , I think it’s unlikely got it again so soon but not impossible.

Yes I obviously wouldn’t if he didn’t have cough

I didn’t think you could get a pcr if tested positive within 90 days as you can still test positive so even if it’s positive it doesn’t mean he’s caught Covid again as already has it . www.gov.uk