Testing positive again less than 90 days later

[Covidwoes]

Hi everyone, I'm wondering if anyone has experience/knowledge of this. I tested positive for Covid in November, and am due to have a Covid test on Wednesday due to possibly having to be induced at the weekend of baby doesn't arrive before then (am now 41 weeks!). As my Covid diagnosis was less than 90 days ago, is the swab likely to come back positive? I'm worried as obviously a positive result will cause a whole host of issues, even though I've already had Covid! DH (my birth partner) also had Covid at the same time as me in November, but I believe they aren't testing partners. Does anyone know the likelihood of the swab coming back positive? Thank you!

If it’s a hospital test, it will show antibodies and I think that’s what they go on.I think that the chances of the test showing positive is pretty low. When you think of all the nhs staff, care home staff and all others that have to have weekly tests, if a lot of these came back positive after that long, we would have heard about it.

There was a post a couple of days ago from a lady who was tested positive and was having a c section the next day, so whatever the test result, it will still go ahead. Good luck.

Those having regular testing are normally exempt from testing for 90 days after a positive test as residual fragments of the virus can cause a positive result even when they are no longer contagious.

You may or may not give a positive result. Hope the birth goes well

If it's a PCR test it won't show antibodies as that isn't what it's testing for.

NHS staff who have weekly asymptomatic tests are told that if they have had a positive in the last 90 days they should stop taking the asymptomatic tests and only get tested if they develop symptoms again. I don't know what advice to patients is. Are the hospital aware of your previous positive test? I think you probably need to discuss with them.

@dementedpixie

Those having regular testing are normally exempt from testing for 90 days after a positive test as residual fragments of the virus can cause a positive result even when they are no longer contagious.

You may or may not give a positive result. Hope the birth goes well

You worded it better than me (and I forgot the crucial for 90 days bit!)

My DSs uni flat mates all had +ve tests in October. They had to be tested before coming home for Christmas (govt guidelines). None of them tested +ve, so it doesn't always happen.

I think it's actually quite rare to continue testing positive after the infectious period though? Sorry don't have a source but I have read this. I certainly know that my sister has now tested negative two weeks after testing positive.

Well it obviously does happen or they wouldn't expressly tell you not to test again within 90 days if you have no symptoms

@RichardMarxisinnocent yes they are aware, but I guess it's just a standard letter sent out to anyone coming in to hospital. I think I'll give them a ring and ask. Obviously there is a chance it could come back negative, but the risk of it being positive, however small, does worry me a little as I don't want to be treated as if I have Covid when I've already had it (2 months ago!).

Thanks everyone. I am reassured a bit by your stories of people testing negative not too long after. Hopefully that'll be me!