Would you retest in these circumstances? (Child)

[AstridAv]

DS is 9. Had covid (positive test) in December. Symptoms were headache, temperature and cough. He now has a cough again, sore throat and disappearing voice. I think the advice is not to retest within 90 days and its been 73 days since his positive result. I think he's more than likely got something else rather than covid again so soon but he's due to return to school Wednesday and DP needs to work. If I get him tested apparently covid can show for 90 days after infection so could end up with a false positive. So unsure of what to do in this situation. Obviously dont want to put anyone at risk. But there are other illnesses about.

I think the advice

apparently covid can show

Where did you get this information?

@extentioncord there is lots about it on various websites. If you're interested just have a Google.

[quote AstridAv]@extentioncord there is lots about it on various websites. If you're interested just have a Google.[/quote]

I'm not interested. I was trying to point you in the right direction.

Just use the NHS/Gov advice. Ignore 'various websites' and certainly don't base your decision on what anyone here says.

@extentioncord Various websites includes GOV! But thanks for taking the time to 'try and point me in the right direction'.

If you read the pages about who qualifies for a test and how to book a test there is absolutely nothing saying you should not test within 90 days.

The advice not to PCR test for 90 is true.

We are tested weekly at work and have several staff with Covid who have been told not to test due to likelihood of a continued positive result.

@extentioncord I have to be tested twice weekly at work but anyone who has had Covid (which includes me as i had it recently) is not tested for 90 days as we could still test positive.

Snap,@MoreHairyThanScary 😀

Thank you @MoreHairyThanScary and @Icequeen01
Now need to seek some advice tomorrow about where to go from here, as obviously don't want to have the whole household isolate again. Especially considering he's recently had it and there are other illnesses still in existence.

Advice is not to test again but to self isolate if he has symptoms, and presume as if he has Covid

Thanks @Fluffyowl00
So sad for him. He has autism he needs structure and routine. Wednesday was going to be his first day back at school since December and he's been so excited

It's a tricky situation but I agree with you that it is more likely to be something other than Covid if he tested positive in December. Please let me know if you are given any advice as I would be interested.

My DH refused to be tested when he went back to work (they were wrongly insisting that he test again when he returned) as we already had had to isolate for almost three weeks (I got it first but then DH and DS got it afterwards so we had to keep resetting the isolation clock) we were not prepared to be thrown back into isolation again!

See @Icequeen01 I'm thinking its probably laryngitis. He hasn't been anywhere. He has nearly lost his voice and the symptoms are totally different to when he had covid.
At the end of the day kids get ill often especially school aged kids. Its unfair to keep them off each time, and my DP will be 2 weeks out of work too. Which we cannot afford to be honest. Surely less than 90 days post covid its extremely unlikely. I had to do an antibodies test for the ipsos research a week ago and I had antibodies. I had covid in December when my DS did.

I agree with your DH refusing. Its clear in the guidance that they shouldn't be retesting recent infections.

Can you call the covid advice line 119 and ask them, I was told 90 days too, when I had my final day of isolation and said I'd ordered a test for my daughter, they told me not to order myself one too as could test positive for 90 days as traces of the virus can linger. They did say if we did have any questions going forwards we could ring 119.

I don't think you'll be able to book a test. I'm pretty sure one of the criteria to book is that you haven't tested positive in the previous 90 days.

I think its unlikely to be covid again so soon so likely something else. However I would urge caution in sending to school with something that could be cautigious regardless meaning more children could end up with coughs and it will affect those families/staff not being able to attend school and having to self isolate until they get a negative test result.

@gallbladderpain I will not be sending him back unless the school, and/or a doctor give the go ahead. It's not fair to put anyone else in this position. Just gutted for him really.

If the site allows you to book one I would. At home everyone has a second test 10-14 days after the first positive one and most of these don’t come back positive or they’d have stopped doing it.

If he’s going to have to isolate anyway you don’t have anything to los, do you? Whereas if the test is negative then you are free.

I agree with @RafaIsTheKingOfClay other countries do re-test 10-14 days after. Remember the passengers on The Diamond Princess as an example needing a negative test (2actually) to leave. At least if you test and it’s negative and he is feeling better he could go to school on Wednesday.

Thank you everyone. We are currently isolating and he has his test this morning. Crossing fingers for a negative result!