Are LFT reliable? Fed up feeling like this

[Confused41]

Have had flu like symptoms since last Friday. Haven’t been able to get out of bed since Tuesday. I feel really weak and dizzy and shivery. LFT I’ve don’t at home keeps saying negative. I’m so dick of feeling like this. My hair is matted up and thank God for mother in law as she’s been over helping with the kids

Apologies for the numerous typos.

Get a PCR test posted out to you perhaps if you can’t get to a test Centre

LFT are only to be used when you have no symptoms, and are notorious for false negatives especially when symptomatic. You should have had a PCR test as soon as you got symptoms of Covid. Please organise that now, and stop anyone coming and going from your house until you know the result.

Anecdotally I hear not, a friend of mine tested negative on a LFT but positive on PCR. A friend of a friend had the same story.

However I would say that 3 of my DC were struck down with a bad cold that mimicked covid 100% - my DDs friend said the cold was actually worse than having covid! So it’s probably just that (I did PCR test ours just in case, but negative)

Sorry you’re feeling rubbish!

If you're symptomatic you shouldn't be using LFTs......get a PCR only.

It could be the flu. Covid may be foremost in our minds but that doesn't mean flu and colds etc have disappeared.

lfts not reliable full stop. Lfts can give positive results even when no covid. Evidently the only reliable test is pcr.

I have covid at the moment. Did several lateral flow tests both before and after my positive pcr - all negative. Get a pcr and then you'll know.

I hope you feel better soon.

Please get a PCR test. I struggle to know why people still don't realise this after being in this pandemic over 18 months!

Meant to add... I hope you feel better soon!

But please, get a PCR

LFT are only to be used when you have no symptoms, and are notorious for false negatives especially when symptomatic

That is actually completely false. They are actually very good when you do have symptoms. Less reliable for asymptomatic.

Although, in your position, I would get a PCR.

There have been some horrible colds going around with symptoms that match yours. I was laid low for a week at the end of August, and my dh has had it this last 5 days or so.
I think that we need to avoid thinking that every time someone is poorly, it is COVID related.

All illnesses aren't COVID - there is information on the NHS site which tells you when you should request a PCR test.

No they aren't. I did an LFT which was negative and did a PCR on the same day which was positive.

No, not all illnesses are Covid, but the only way to know for sure is to get a PCR, LFTs are not reliable enough.

They are actually very good when you do have symptoms. Less reliable for asymptomatic.

I was symptomatic yesterday and still did a negative lateral flow. DD got positive results on several lateral flow tests before she went on to develop symptoms.

I think the lateral flow tests have their uses. The positive result stopped dd from spreading the virus around school before she became ill, for example. However, I would never advise a symptomatic person to rely on them. Better to get a pcr just in case.

I did an LFT which was negative and did a PCR on the same day which was positive.

Yes, me too. And I was symptomatic at the time.

Don't take an LFT if you have any storms. Do a PCR instead. You can get them posted to you.

Symptoms!

You might have "NotCovid" which is a terrible awful cold that seems to be doing the rounds.

My BIL was feeling rough but the LFTs were all negative. It wasn't until my sister got symptoms and a positive LFT that they went for a PCR and they were both positive.