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Original poster

What is the point of a PCR test if you get a positive LFT?

50 replies

Hotyogahotchoc · 04/01/2022 11:22

Except to record the result and update government figures?

I am assuming if you get a positive LFT then it means you have covid so the PCR will be positive too.

If I got a positive LFT I would isolate so what's the point of the PCR?

Am I missing something?

OP posts:
BeMoreGoldfish · 04/01/2022 11:24

I think a lot of people would agree with you now - I know there’s a school of thought saying that a PCR shouldn’t be required if you’ve tested positive on an LFT.

Never had a positive LFT so don’t know what I’d do in your circumstances 🤷‍♀️

Original poster
Hotyogahotchoc · 04/01/2022 11:24

And if you don't need to prove it to an employer

OP posts:
justhereforthecraic · 04/01/2022 11:24

It can be used to confirm a positive LFT. For example, my sister got a positive LFT, then went for a PCR and it came back negative . She had no symptoms.
I was told by test and protect to get a PCR as I was a close contact. That came back positive.
I do agree if you have a positive LFT and symptoms, then probably no point in going for a PCR but I think it's an individual choice

ToykotoLosAngeles · 04/01/2022 11:24

Partly so it goes on your medical records in case of any future issues.

Clymene · 04/01/2022 11:26

@Hotyogahotchoc

Except to record the result and update government figures?

I am assuming if you get a positive LFT then it means you have covid so the PCR will be positive too.

If I got a positive LFT I would isolate so what's the point of the PCR?

Am I missing something?

Positive LFTs can be faked, positive PCRs can't.
witheringrowan · 04/01/2022 11:26

It's also for sequencing to track the emergence and spread of different variants.

Whinge · 04/01/2022 11:26

I may be wrong and i'm happy to be corrected if I am, but my understanding is a postive PCR is recorded on your medical records, and proves you had covid-19. Which is really important in case you require future help due to long covid or other complications.

ToykotoLosAngeles · 04/01/2022 11:26

I think honestly they're more useful for when people who are pretty sure they have it but are doing the tests wrong/using nose only swabs. I know a few people who had negative LFTs but positive PCRs as close contacts which is why I recently did a day 5 PCR.

shetlandskies · 04/01/2022 11:27

Yes, it formalises it, shows as immunity acquired in the covid passport, gets you the £500 isolation grant if you need it, etc., etc..

MerryChristmas21 · 04/01/2022 11:27

Apart from the statistics & tracking the various form of Covid etc...

PCR is a different type of test & it will be recorded on your medical records, it'll help if you're not well in the future (long covid) & possibly for travel/other required testing situations.

The question realky, is why not?

HappyGuppy · 04/01/2022 11:29

Positive LFTs can be faked, positive PCRs can't.

Of course it can be faked.

Not the actual test but you can certainly fake a positive PCR notification. It's literally just an email or a text message.

toomuchlaundry · 04/01/2022 11:30

Isn’t there also the issue that you might need to prove you have had COVID to gain entry in places/travel as you may still test positive on tests within 90 days

Ponoka7 · 04/01/2022 11:30

For people who can't or won't get vaccinated it gives them a free pass for six months. Ideally every test should be registered, so we know the true percentages of serious illness. Again, why wouldn't you?

Freshprincess · 04/01/2022 11:31

I’d like to have official confirmation as I’ve heard of a few positive LFT and negative PCR, although I think that’s fairly unlikely.

I also think that being part of the official count is important, the data matters.

Having said that if I can see why some people don’t.

BlueEyesUltimateDragon · 04/01/2022 11:31

I had a positive LTF but negative PCR. I then had a negative LTF but a positive PCR some months later. If I got a positive LTF again I'd definitely PCR because I don't want to isolate again unnecessarily. I do LTFs because work require them but ultimately (from my experience) I don't think they are very accurate

BertramLacey · 04/01/2022 11:32

PCRs are more accurate. I know people who've had positive LFTs who've gone on to have negative PCRs and been able to come out of isolation. Whether it was a false positive or a very brief bout of Covid we can't know, but the PCR is a more accurate test and false positives do occur on LFTs.

ThettaReddast · 04/01/2022 11:32

It’s confirmatory and adds it to your medical records, it’s an ‘official’ result.

A proportion of PCR results are sequenced to help detect and track variants which is really important information alongside case number stats.

elizabethdraper · 04/01/2022 11:33

i needed it for work.

Also i need the recovery cert recorded on my "passport". As i wont be able to get my booster for a few month now

KangSaeByeok · 04/01/2022 11:33

If you register the LFT it counts in official statistics. As well as the medical records, the PCR helps with sequencing.

crosstalk · 04/01/2022 11:33

LFTs show if you are spreading the virus but it can be done incorrectly. The PCR confirms you have the virus and AFAIK which variety.

JumperooSue · 04/01/2022 11:35

A friends husband recently wasn’t allowed to attend her planned c section as his PCR was positive. They both had covid around a month ago, she confirmed hers on PCR, he didn’t but had positive lateral flows.

The hospital required both to perform a PCR before attending for the procedure as she had a positive result in the past 90 days she didn’t need to retest but as he didn’t have a PCR done when positive he had no evidence of having it. His PCR came back positive, likely still positive from when they both had it, sadly he wasn’t allowed to attend the birth.

HappyGuppy · 04/01/2022 11:35

@Ponoka7

For people who can't or won't get vaccinated it gives them a free pass for six months. Ideally every test should be registered, so we know the true percentages of serious illness. Again, why wouldn't you?
In regards to the "why wouldn't you?" It depends. It's not a 2 minute job all of the time. I live near a walk in PCR centre and it takes me 10 mins.

My Dad got a positive LFT and is feeling really shit. He hasn't been able to arrange anything but postal PCRs for a few days and has said that he just can't be fucked messing about trying to arrange one anymore. He's tired and unwell he can't be doing with the hassle and so he's not bothering now. And I don't blame him.

Sunsetsupernova · 04/01/2022 11:35

A friend had covid over Christmas but didn’t bother to get a PCR. Just been to get the one they need to go on holiday and it’s still positive. But because they never got one when they had covid they can’t prove it’s not a new infection and their holiday has had to be cancelled

Original poster
Hotyogahotchoc · 04/01/2022 11:36

The question realky, is why not?

I suppose if you feel really unwell then getting up and going to do a PCR might be quite a chore

OP posts:
HappyGuppy · 04/01/2022 11:38

He's still isolating off the back of his pos LFT obviously. But I understand when there's been such a hassle trying to arrange tests ect.. recently why people who are actually unwell can't be bothered. Especially if like him the nearest test site is a half hour drive away.

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