Positive test again after 3 weeks.

[Lonoxo]

Just wanted to see how common this is. Symptoms first appeared on 30th Dec. Home test on 4th Jan came back as positive. Another home test on 19th Jan just came back positive. I feel fine apart from cough. I’m 5 months pregnant too.

Why did you test again?
You arent supposed to test again within 90 days of a positive test as it can pick up fragments of the old virus and give a positive test even if you are no longer contagious

Can I ask why did you test again? The guidance is not to test within 90 days of a positive test as the test can still pick up fragments of a previous infection.

And the cough can linger for weeks so doesn't mean you are spreading covid

Cross post with dementedpixie.

You're not supposed to test within 90 days of a positive test, that's why.

Earlier this year one of my New York based colleagues kept testing positive for nearly 4 months. His doctor ended up asking him to re-test every week for research purposes.

It is now widely known that PCR tests can pick up debris from the old virus even when the person is no longer infectious.

We were told by track and trace not to test again for 90 days.

Well that's 3 extra cases counted by your repeat tests!

Not suppose to test again for 90 days.

Yes it’s common. Why on earth did you test again?

Can we just remember before everyone piles on asking why OP tested, this is a pregnant lady, who is obviously concerned about her unborn baby. She was probably retesting for piece of mind, not realising about the 90 day non test period.

The system shouldn't allow a test to be processed within 90 days of the first one, does it asyou that when you book one?

As a PP said widespread ignoring of the rules would lead to overestimating of infections.

For those who are saying this'll skew the statistics, the Government's infection statistics are based on an individual's first positive case. Those who are tested more than once are only counted once.

Hello. Is there stated guidance about not retesting within 90 days? As some places require negative tests before readmission (preschool) which would be problematic if someone has already been diagnosed with covid

Yes, if you search on gov.uk you'll find the guidance there under 'Stay at home: guidance for households with possible or confirmed coronavirus infection'.

Hi OP - see below for the text from the govt site.

We had a similar situation because DD was admitted to hospital (for something unrelated), 21 days after a positive test. They test automatically on admission and she tested positive. We asked for the discharge notes to reflect the fact that she - and as importantly, we - didn't have to isolate because it was within 90 days and there were no new symptoms. Track and trace initially said she had to isolate anyway, but because I had the discharge noes they took advice from their clinical lead and said that we could follow the directions of the hospital doctor. Thank God.

After your isolation period has ended
If you have tested positive for COVID-19, you will probably have developed some immunity to the disease. However, it cannot be guaranteed that everyone will develop immunity, or how long it will last. It is possible for PCR tests to remain positive for sometime after COVID-19 infection. Anyone who has previously received a positive test result for COVID-19 should only be re-tested within a 90-day period if they develop any new symptoms of COVID-19.

Should only retest if you have new symptoms

So if a child spikes a fever 2 months after developing covid , they are likely to test positive again even though it is still viral particles in the system? I see a lot of isolation in our future :(

A friend is almost on week 5 and keep testing positive. He's out though, because he's no longer infectious.

Why did you test again? Do you live somewhere where they require a second test after you've completed your isolation? It's the case in certain countries but not in the UK.

My best friend lives abroad and was only allowed into the office after a negative test. It took her 8 weeks to finally have a negative test. She was perfectly fine though. Ditto her husband.

Good luck OP.

You will test posted for around 90 days. Why have you tested again?

I didn’t know about the 90 day rule. There was no info about that on anything I’ve been given. I need to go to hospital for tests and send my daughter to nursery. I didn’t think I would be allowed unless I tested negative.

Hospital will advise if test is needed and take precautions, it seems you were overhasty in doing so. Your dd going to nursery is not relevant.

There is no necessity to take a test to prove you are negative after having undergone your 10 day isolation period.

That makes life a lot easier. We will send daughter back to nursery next week. I did call the hospital to change my appointment time and they didn’t say anything about it being fine if I have done my isolation period.

There was lots of info/pressure to self isolate if positive, I was rang by the test and trace team a few times. I was just trying to be responsible and do the right thing. My husband tested again and his 2nd test came back as negative.