Do I need to isolate and if so how long??

[CharlotteRose90]

I need help. So I’ve had cold symptoms for a few days and it’s gone onto my chest to the point I have a horrible cough and now a sore throat and temperature.

Rang 111 tonight as I felt awful in work and had a prescription sent to my local chemist.

Here’s my dilemma I know I need to do a pcr but if it’s negative do I need to isolate as I’m double jabbed. I forgot to ask the doctor and it’s not 100% clear online.

Go for a PCR, isolate while you wait for result, then if negative you are free to do whatever you choose.

@HelloDulling

Go for a PCR, isolate while you wait for result, then if negative you are free to do whatever you choose.

So 111 have just rang me back and apparently I definitely need to isolate for 10 days regardless as I have symptoms. It makes no sense. If it’s negative surely I’m ok.

It’s because of the malfunctioning pcr tests recently in the news. There are probably masses of malfunctioning pcr tests still out there so a pcr test wouldn’t be completely reliable

Roughly where do you live, certain areas are being more cautious than other areas because of all the recent trouble with PCRs in certain labs.

Mostly a negative PCR means you no longer have to isolate. However, certain areas will have different rules as caution if they have been affected.

Get the PCR and isolate. After this, isolate until symptoms are resolved. It's what's responsible.

I’d be getting a PCR test, isolating until the result then if negative going about my business.

Did 111 say why you need to isolate regardless? That’s not the current ‘rules’

I was told to isolate until test results come back and then the app said I was free unless I had a temperature

Are people seriously suggesting op isolates if the PCR comes back negative? If everyone did that no one would be at work or school, has MN gone crazy?

No OP, if you test negative you do not have to isolate. You can get on with your life how you wish.

@Overthebow I know I am very surprised too. But they definitely said I had to isolate until temperature had gone.

@SaltySheepdog

It’s because of the malfunctioning pcr tests recently in the news. There are probably masses of malfunctioning pcr tests still out there so a pcr test wouldn’t be completely reliable

I don't think they were malfunctioning tests, it sounds like they just didn't bother analysing the tests in some cases, hence the issue is restricted to this one lab.

The UKHSA has confirmed the test kits themselves are not at fault.

111 are wrong. Get a PCR. If it's negative you can carry on as normal. This has been the case for the whole time.

Obviously if you're too unwell to go out then don't.

Did they say if negative you can go out once the fever has gone? That's just sensible advice. Most work places, schools etc would not want you in. From a legal perspective if the test is negative you can do as you wish.

@3teens2cats

Did they say if negative you can go out once the fever has gone? That's just sensible advice. Most work places, schools etc would not want you in. From a legal perspective if the test is negative you can do as you wish.

No sadly not. All he said was i need to isolate as I’ve got symptoms which is the cough and the temperature. I can’t work anyway as I’m forever coughing and can’t talk properly.