Bloods different to my lateral flow tests

[dazedbuthappy]

I had a positive covid lateral flow test yesterday after an invalid one on friday but my work blood test taken friday has come back negative and has been repeated today, also negative. I'm now isolating for ten days. Anyone else had this?

I’d be surprised if many others have had 4 tests in 2 days so possibly a unique situation

The lateral flow tests aren’t very accurate are they?

I thought the blood test was for covid antibodies? You need a PCR swab test to detect the initial infection?

I think lateral flow has the lowest false positive (no expert tho!)

I was also going to query the blood test, what are they looking for in a blood test? You need a covid PCR test done, which is normal practice after a positive LFT.

The blood test is for antibodies isn’t it?

You need a PCR after a positive lateral flow test. The blood tests are for antibodies which would show up a prior infection not a current one. So book a normal covid test through the NHS portal.

I’m part of a study looking into COVID hence the blood tests twice a week. The other tests are done twice a week for my job but were repeated due to them not corresponding with my bloods.

The hospital who are doing the study seem to change their minds every week about protocols.

Most people probably haven’t had the blood test you have had OP. So it’s a bit hard to compare.

I'd seek advice tempted more to go with blood test LFT do give false positives someone in the know would be able to offer proper guidance.

Regardless of the study doing regular blood tests, what does your work say you should do if you get a positive result from the lateral flow tests they gave you? My work says if we get a positive lateral flow test, we need to get a PCR test done ASAP to confirm.

Is it a covid antibody test OP? As far as I know, there is no blood test that accurately identifies coronavirus itself. Antibody tests will not be positive for a good few days after infection. You need a PCR test for a definitive answer.

I’ve been told to isolate and do a pcr tomorrow which I’ve booked

I think you should do a PCR test to back up the lateral flow test result

Very few false positives from LFTs, so I'd expect a positive PCR test. The inconclusive result on Friday's LFT may have been inconclusive due to a tiny trace of infection, confirmed yesterday. You've only just got infected yesterday and not yet created antibodies, that's why your antibody blood test had none to show yet on Friday and isn't identifying them yet today. You are absolutely at your most infectious from yesterday onward, so must keep isolated.

Ask for help to get any shopping you need, make sure you have paracetamol. I hope you don't get too many symptoms and get well soon.

What Mrex said, you need a PCR test, the antibody test isn’t going to show whether or not you currently have the infection. So the advice you’ve had to isolate and get a PCR is correct.