To not retest

[OnceuponaRainbow18]

Son has bad cough, pcr test negative- traumatic event getting the test done, went back to school and has been there all week and now I’ve just got a text to say I should retest as they may be an error?!!

I was listening to a news item on Jeremy Vine his morning which was saying that for some reason the pcr tests can give a false negative.

There’s a massive story this morning about a test centre who haven’t processed PCR properly, so it’s likely your DS may have been a false negative.

It’s why the news have been saying for about 10 days now that positive LFT plus negative PCR means you should still isolate.

Can you do a lateral flow, the nose only ones might be less traumatic then you would know.

Or just isolate him for the remainder of 10 days since his symptoms started?

Although I suppose if he is positive then the damage is largely already done if he’s been in school all week.

When was the test done? What is his exposure outside of school? Tbh if his cough started 7+ days ago and his exposure outside school is minimal - no at risk grandparents, no big audience events this weekend etc then I wouldn't bother.

I would do an up the nose LFT just to keep the school right and take it from there. I had the not covid virus for a week and a half the cough lingered for ages.

I would test again as prior infection may mean he can travel, visit places if a covid passport comes in (it is valid in other country)

Can they do nose PCR tests?

Cough started sat, We tested Sunday, kept him home mon and tue then he’s been in school wed-fri! No major plans this weekend so guess we could be sensible! I really don’t want to retest it’s so traumatic! Even just the nose!

Maybe I’ll try and LFT when he’s asleep!!

It's not pleasant is it,would he do it himself with a bit of bribary?

No but we have been practising with cotton wall buds so could say it’s a practise!

My boys tested lft positive on Monday, got pcr results on Tuesday - negative, just got the text to re-test an hour ago.

Luckily I trusted the lfts and didn't send them in, they were quite poorly though. Luckily an understanding headmistress agreed with me.

The whole family has since tested positive on the lateral flows yesterday and weds.

I would do an lft for sure if I were you.

I’ll try and do a LFT tonight when he’s sleeping.
We went straight for the PCR test as he had a cough so we didn’t try a LFT.

So frustrating

If the 10 days since symptoms starting is nearly up personally I wouldn't. Just minimise social contact this weekend! I get the traumatising testing. Ds and tests are just awful! He really hates them!

If you keep him home Monday that would be the last day of his ten day isolation - day 1 being the saturday his symptoms started.