To book another PCR test?

[Angryattrackandtrace]

On Saturday I started to get a little bit of a cough. Nothing too bad (thought it could be asthma) but due to my sister being heavily pregnant I decided it was bette to be safe and went for a test. It was negative.

Since then my cough and cold it much worse. Ice actually taken time off work today as I couldn’t sleep due to the constant coughing.

I know ive been a close contact with at least 8 positive cases due to my job. I’ve done LFT tests everyday and they say negative.

So, aibu to book another PCR test just 3 days after I had one already?

I know it could just be a cough/ cold and don’t want to waste peoples money or time. But I also feel pretty rubbish and don’t want to be spreading it further if it is Covid!

I would personally

Of course you should, you have classic symptoms and it's possible that you tested too early the first time.

I wouldn't.
But I'd avoid the sister either way, it's not an ideal time to catch any virus, regardless of what it's called.

@CurlyWurly321 I think I’ll stay away. Shame as she’s asked me TLR baby sit this weekend!

I know what you mean.. I fee a bit dramatic for taking today off when many of the pole I work with closely have actual Covid but I still feel shit with my measly cough! 🤪

I'm in the same position as you. I saw my niece and sister last week, covered my niece in kisses, spent a few hours in her company with her often sat on my lap, or our heads close together in a den we built. That evening she got a temperature and a cough (my sister felt ill as well) so they got pcr tests the following day, and both tested positive. I have now felt ill for the past 5 days with a constant headache, cough and tight chest but three lateral flow and one pcr test (taken yesterday) are all saying negative. I feel really under the weather.

I guess I'll book in for another pcr test. How long after symptoms start can you get a positive on a pcr test? I would have thought that if I did have covid then it would have shown by now but maybe not. I also don't understand how I can put my mouth on an infected person and breathe in the same air in very close proximity (a small den) and not have become infected myself.

I know what you mean @CuckooCall I’ve been playing with these 8 positive tests people in very similar situations!!!!

But we did have coughs abs cold before Covid didn’t we??? I just don’t know!!! I hate wasting NHS resources.

@Angryattrackandtrace

I know what you mean *@CuckooCall* I’ve been playing with these 8 positive tests people in very similar situations!!!!

But we did have coughs abs cold before Covid didn’t we??? I just don’t know!!! I hate wasting NHS resources.

We did, but it's more complicated now and even passing on a normal cold can mean making others self-isolate and get PCRs. Even without a positive test, limit your contacts where you can.

At risk of putting too much faith in the system, I might try and book another test, and trust that it won't accept the booking if it's too soon. But if you've got a new symptom then it could be another bug. There's no rule that covid germs stay away from people who already have colds.

After being in contact with some children who had positive tests, my son had a PCR on Saturday which was negative, on Monday he had a positive LFT followed by a positive PCR. In your position I would get another test

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4352969-To-ask-does-anyone-else-have-this-other-bloody-virus

There’s another bug going around.

Negative PCR’s here too but cough, temperature and feeling like shit for weeks. I personally wouldn’t get another PCR but keep up with the LFT and go off sick as this is obviously contagious too.

I wouldn't. There are other bugs going round. Still best to avoid passing it on to others if you can.

Take another PCR. My son started with symptoms Thurs night, positive PCR Friday when rest of household were negative. I put us all straight into isolation on the off chance (I realise we are lucky to both be employed in jobs that allow us to do this). I was not prepared to risk sending daughter to mix with others at school (even though she had no symptoms), who could then pass it on to their family. Due to underlying health conditions, if this had been this time last year I would have been admitted to hospital by now. I was unwilling to put other families in that position.

Then... I started with symptoms Sunday, daughter started Monday, we both took another family trip to PCR World on Monday, which came back positive (and I'm double jabbed). I feel rough, like I have a heavy cold. Daughter bounced back once she threw up! Husband still no symptoms and negative lateral flow. Please don't take the chance of passing this on. My immunity is well on its way to normal, I am double jabbed and have been since April, and I feel awful. Take the test and stay away from everyone until you are sure.

I would, especially as your symptoms got worse. And I’d avoid all vulnerable people for now.

What did you decide to do in the end?

I have a horrible virus as well, and ended up doing a PCR. It's still not back though.

Pretty sure it's just That Other Virus that everyone seems to have.

I’ve ordered a home testing kit and I’m using this as my “as I’ve been a close contact” kit. I don’t technically have to isolate as I have had a negative test since showing symptoms. So 119 day anyway. The closest drive through test centre was 38 miles.

Get another test. I had a negative LFT the day before I developed symptoms. Convinced myself that it wasn’t Covid, only to then get a positive PCR.

Sorry, you have! Right decision, I think 😊