Testing positive after vaccine

disappointed101 · 2021-02-21T18:43:21+00:00

My dad has been very poorly after his vaccine. I don’t live near him to help. He tested positive on a lateral flow (his wife does these regularly) Is this from the vaccine or has he caught it from the vaccine site? I’m so angry as he has been so careful and barely left the house.

minipie · 21/02/2021 18:45

How quickly did he feel ill after the vaccine?
If it was within 48hrs of the vaccine I would assume it’s from the vaccine as the virus itself has a longer latent period (usually)

minipie · 21/02/2021 18:45

PS hope he recovers soon

CavernousScream · 21/02/2021 18:48

The vaccine isn’t a live virus so wouldn’t cause a positive test. How long is it since he had the vaccine?

nordica · 21/02/2021 18:51

You can't get covid from the vaccine.

Mumof1andacat · 21/02/2021 18:53

The vaccine doesn't mean you wont ever get it. It's like the flu vaccine. It helps build some sort of immunity so if you do contract covid, hopefully the symptoms are mild and therefore avoid serious illness and a hospital admission

PuzzledObserver · 21/02/2021 18:57

@minipie

How quickly did he feel ill after the vaccine? If it was within 48hrs of the vaccine I would assume it’s from the vaccine as the virus itself has a longer latent period (usually)

You cannot catch Covid from the vaccine itself. You could potentially catch it at the vaccine centre, although you would hope they had their infection control down pat.

The incubation period (from exposure to onset of symptoms) varies from 2-14 days, with 5-6 days being typical.

Some of the potential side effects of the vaccine mimic symptoms of Covid, so that could make it more difficult to identify when the symptoms started. But if it was within a couple of days of the jab, he was probably already infected before he went.

Bear in mind it is not just about him going out, but also about his wife - she could have caught it and passed it to him? False negatives are fairly common with the lateral flow tests, so she could be positive even though the lateral flow says not.

Has he had a PCR test to confirm?

Original poster

disappointed101 · 21/02/2021 18:59

Thanks. He is going to get a pcr test. Symptoms started a few days after vaccine. He has been in bed a week and still feeling really poorly. Luckily no trouble breathing presently.

OP posts:

PuzzledObserver · 21/02/2021 19:05

@disappointed101

Thanks. He is going to get a pcr test. Symptoms started a few days after vaccine. He has been in bed a week and still feeling really poorly. Luckily no trouble breathing presently.

That does sound like Covid, but don’t forget, other viruses are still available. Hope it works out, OP.

minipie · 21/02/2021 21:00

But if it was within a couple of days of the jab, he was probably already infected before he went.

Ah yes duh hadn’t thought of this! Sorry

Sausageroll67 · 21/02/2021 21:09

If he’s in England he doesn’t need a PCR test to confirm. The rules changed on 27 Jan if you test positive on a lateral flow you don’t follow up. Just isolate for the required ten days.

Hope he is better soon btw!

PurpleWh1teGreen · 21/02/2021 21:20

@disappointed101

Thanks. He is going to get a pcr test. Symptoms started a few days after vaccine. He has been in bed a week and still feeling really poorly. Luckily no trouble breathing presently.

How many days is is a few?

It takes around 3 weeks + to make antibodies to coronavirus although there may be a level of protection from 12 days.

As PP have said, the vaccine doesn't lead to a positive test, but he may have been exposed to the disease.

Thedutchessofhastings · 21/02/2021 21:24

I know 2 people who have tested positive 3 weeks after being vaccinated with 1 dose so it is definitely possible to be infected despite vaccination. The good news though is that neither had any symptoms at all so were not unwell.

Thimbleberries · 21/02/2021 21:31

Was that after Pfizer?

The new data out today is showing 92% protection at 4 weeks (i.e., before second dose has had effect) against contracting Covid (and higher percentages against getting ill, hospitalised, dying etc). So it's worrying to hear so many people saying that they know someone who got it after 4+ weeks. Maybe they are a different type of population than the one that the study was done on (e.g., more HCP, so greater exposure). Or everyone knows the same few people who are getting ill a month after the vaccine!

Thedutchessofhastings · 21/02/2021 21:45

The people I know both had the Pfizer - and yes, they are HCPs but working in home care and not currently with any Covid patients so we think unluckily to have caught it at work as no other known cases. Both got positive results from PCR tests. One took another test the day after getting the result as she was so shocked and that came back negative so I suppose it is possible that the first was a false positive but track and trace said she still had to isolate anyway. It is a bit worrying but the vaccine still seemed to have offered them protection as they were symptom free. Only tested as part of routine testing at work.

Original poster

disappointed101 · 21/02/2021 21:50

Well he had his vaccine about 10 days ago and said he has been in bed all week. I didn’t manage to talk to him long as he wanted to rest.

OP posts:

Ethelfromnumber73 · 21/02/2021 21:58

Sounds like he may have already been incubating the virus when he went for his vaccine.

WitchesBritchesPumpkinPants · 21/02/2021 22:42

It's much much more likely he already had it before getting his vaccine with those dates. No point in a OCR now really, unless his wife needs to prove she needs to isolate?

Better to test, drink lots & eat - small bits even if he doesn't fancy it

Hope he gets better soon! Does he have an
Oximeter? Make sure he calls for help as soon as he feels he needs it as it's better to get help in the earlier stages then try to push through.

MrDarcysMa · 21/02/2021 22:49

He must have been infected before going for the vaccine. The vaccine won't have protected him this time - hope he feels begged soon Op

Original poster

disappointed101 · 22/02/2021 02:31

I was worried about that MrDarcey. I can’t sleep and feel physically sick as he is very proud and won’t accept help lightly

OP posts:

minipie · 22/02/2021 09:25

Does he have a pulse oximeter, if not could you send him one? I think that’s one of the more important things in terms of keeping an eye on how he’s doing. He’s not alone if he’s married?

CavernousScream · 22/02/2021 09:42

The timeline suggests he was infected before he went for the vaccine and may have been infectious at the time he went for the vaccine. He needs to report that because there is a risk he infected other people while there. Apart from the track and trace element, the vaccine is irrelevant really, because he developed symptoms too soon to have either caught Covid at the centre or to have any protection from the vaccine.

If he doesn’t have an oximeter, you could get one sent to him. It’s good news that he was able to talk to you on the phone because that means he’s unlikely to be near needing hospitalisation.

MrDarcysMa · 22/02/2021 10:54

How is he today @disappointed101 is his wife keeping an eye on him?
Try to remember most people who have Covid don't end up hospitalised, try not to think the worst

PurpleWh1teGreen · 22/02/2021 13:02

@CavernousScream

The timeline suggests he was infected before he went for the vaccine and may have been infectious at the time he went for the vaccine. He needs to report that because there is a risk he infected other people while there. Apart from the track and trace element, the vaccine is irrelevant really, because he developed symptoms too soon to have either caught Covid at the centre or to have any protection from the vaccine.

If he doesn’t have an oximeter, you could get one sent to him. It’s good news that he was able to talk to you on the phone because that means he’s unlikely to be near needing hospitalisation.

I'd also add that if his wife is doing LFTs she is presumably working with other people, so a possible source for the infection.

Hope your Dad is feeling better soon.