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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU - to think that PCR results are being tampered with?

171 replies

tuesdayschild17 · 18/12/2021 08:40

A week ago, COVID symptoms hit me like a bus. I developed a high temperature, muscle aches, a dry cough, headache and within a couple of days I couldn’t smell at all. I’m talking stick your head in the dog food bowl and still nothing!!

I have had appalling night sweats as well and have heard this is common for the Omicron. I honestly have not felt this unwell for years.

I took a home PCR test and have just had the results and they’re negative! I followed the instructions religiously and made sure I really swabbed my throat/nose properly. I’d gamble large sums of money I had/still have COVID.

Does anyone feel that there are accuracy failures in the PCRs we aren’t being told about? Or that even worse the government may be trying to suppress the number of positives that happen in this huge wave of Covid crashing down on the UK?

Has anyone else had a negative PCR but been sure they have COVID?

OP posts:
TuesdayRuby · 18/12/2021 08:41

I’m suffering with exactly that. Loads of LFT and two PCR’s - all negative.
I think it’s the flu, back with a vengeance.

PotteringAlong · 18/12/2021 08:42

You think the government are tampering with PCR tests as a massive conspiracy to make things look better than they are?!

Really?

Squirrelblanket · 18/12/2021 08:42

No. There are lots of respiratory viruses which aren't covid. People seem to have forgotten this. 🙄

Hawkinsfirefly99 · 18/12/2021 08:43

I had those exact same symptoms last weekend and had a negative PCR. Still got the dry cough now. I couldn't believe it was negative.

DoctorDonna20 · 18/12/2021 08:44

Unlikely

Either it is Covid and you've a false negative result which can occur with any test or you've another nasty virus like flu. Best to isolate and not share it in any case.

nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut · 18/12/2021 08:44

Or you have the flu?

Sally872 · 18/12/2021 08:44

If they are trying to make things seem better they aren't doing a very good job. Can understand lack of trust in Boris and Co though.

CeratopsofthePharoahs · 18/12/2021 08:44

You might have the flu.

LubaLuca · 18/12/2021 08:45

A couple of years ago, you'd have assumed you had flu. Why isn't that possible now?

Talipesmum · 18/12/2021 08:45

What do LFTs say? It could perfectly well be another horrible illness, but sounds like it’s worth testing again. No, I don’t think anything is being “tampered with” - but sometimes data is inaccurate.

Whatwouldscullydo · 18/12/2021 08:45

Covid isn't the only virus out there.

I mean its possible you received a false negative. There are failure rates to all tests.

But social distancing, hamd washing and isolation has meant that our immune systems are just not as strong as they perhaps were before all this. So even colds are knocking people out nore than usual.

User00000000 · 18/12/2021 08:46

Apparently we are due a bad year for flu and a lot of the symptoms are the same.

EllieSattler · 18/12/2021 08:46

93k positive cases yesterday but you think they tampered with yours Hmm other respiratory viruses are available

BelieveInRainbows · 18/12/2021 08:46

I could have swore blind that I had covid too. Both me and my youngest had all the symptoms but PCR was negative. Lateral flows all negative. Had to be admitted to hospital for an unrelated reason a few days later and my test there was negative too. I'm still suffering almost 3 weeks later and on a 2nd course of antibiotics. I can't remember the last time I was ill so I think it's just a particularly bad cold/cough/flu or something along those lines since my immune system isn't what it used to be. Also pregnant as well which isn't helping!

I don't think anyone is tempering with PCR results though, no.

KrisAkabusi · 18/12/2021 08:46

People had all those symptoms five years ago. It doesn't mean they had COVID, it means there's other diseases still out there. You've caught one now.

And do you honestly think there's anything the government could do now to make themselves look better? Confused

Toastmost · 18/12/2021 08:48

@Squirrelblanket

No. There are lots of respiratory viruses which aren't covid. People seem to have forgotten this. 🙄
Yes this is most likely. Also PCRs have a specific window so if it was covid it could be that the testing window didn't pick it up. Why would they tamper with them?
alksiehru · 18/12/2021 08:48

False negatives happen, sometimes people have to take a couple of PCR tests before it shows up.

I don't think they are suppressing them. A false positive means you can go out and continue spreading covid.

The number of positive cases reported is already huge, if they wanted to suppress it why wouldn't they do it down to lower levels? Why suppress it but still keep the numbers really high 🤷‍♀️

The government doesn't do tests, labs do. Are you suggesting they've told labs to lie about the results? Do you really think someone who is told to do that will keep quiet?

If they lie about positive results it will still travel through the population and still result in increased hospitalisation numbers and eventually increased deaths, unless you are suggesting they are also planning to get those to lie too?

A high number of cases supports their current booster vaccination drive.

Gertie75 · 18/12/2021 08:49

Is it a pcr or a lft you've done? You shouldn't use lfts if you have symptoms.

BathshebaAndGabriel · 18/12/2021 08:50

What Squirrelblanket said.
Excellent name, by the way. Might change mine to SquirrelWeightedblanket

SamMil · 18/12/2021 08:52

There are loads of other viruses doing the rounds.

DrSbaitso · 18/12/2021 08:52

It's really far more likely that you've either got something else or had a false negative, as can happen.

Isolate anyway...whatever it is, best not to spread it.

Tabasco007 · 18/12/2021 08:52

@tuesdayschild17

A week ago, COVID symptoms hit me like a bus. I developed a high temperature, muscle aches, a dry cough, headache and within a couple of days I couldn’t smell at all. I’m talking stick your head in the dog food bowl and still nothing!!

I have had appalling night sweats as well and have heard this is common for the Omicron. I honestly have not felt this unwell for years.

I took a home PCR test and have just had the results and they’re negative! I followed the instructions religiously and made sure I really swabbed my throat/nose properly. I’d gamble large sums of money I had/still have COVID.

Does anyone feel that there are accuracy failures in the PCRs we aren’t being told about? Or that even worse the government may be trying to suppress the number of positives that happen in this huge wave of Covid crashing down on the UK?

Has anyone else had a negative PCR but been sure they have COVID?

We had a load of cases at work. I tested negative LTF and PCR for the first few days, I felt fine, but we all stayed Joel and just keep testing daily, finally on the 5th day I have a positive PCR, all I had was a slight sore throat about 5 days before that. Just keep doing a PCR daily for a while....
Cici22 · 18/12/2021 08:53

You know there is a flu as well you know...

Original poster
tuesdayschild17 · 18/12/2021 08:53

Okay I definitely rescind the idea that they’re tampering with results. I think I’m just frustrated generally by their lack of transparency. I’m more convinced it could be a false negative, and that there isn’t a clear indication of how common it is/what to do if you believe you’ve had a false negative on a PCR.

I’m sorry but I don’t believe it is flu. I’ve had flu more than once in previous years and whilst it is horrendous, it’s just not this bad. I’ve had a temp of over 39 for 4 days.

Also I have never lost my taste and smell this completely. I can literally feel food/liquid/toothpaste in my mouth, with zero taste at all. I can’t smell even the faintest trace of garlic or dog food or anything that has a strong smell. I have never experienced total loss of smell/taste with a cold.

OP posts:
santaclothes · 18/12/2021 08:53

@Gertie75

Is it a pcr or a lft you've done? You shouldn't use lfts if you have symptoms.

OP states PCR