Advice please- do I need a PCR test?

[NCTDN]

So I've had a runny nose and sneezing for a couple of days and this has now developed into a cough.
I'm doing a lateral flow test twice weekly anyway as I work in a school and they have all been negative. But the new variants suggest that a runny nose could be a symptom. So do I need to go for a full pcr test?

Yes you do, you have a new cough so need to get a PCR test and isolate.

No, but the cough does. Get a PCR and isolate until you get the result.

Yup. Lateral flows are not that reliable.

LFT usually pick up positives. But if you want to be sure, get a PCR test.

Ooh mixed thoughts- that's why I'm asking as I'm unsure. I don't want to waste resources and always get coughs so nothing unusual there. But obviously I don't want to spread anything.

I'd test because of the cough.
Could it be hayfever?

Yes I think it could be hayfever.

I would get the PCR, in fact I did last week in similar circumstances. I was reasonably confident it would be negative. It was. But (Scottish secondary teacher so lockdown easing dates are different) I was just about to return to the classroom as was my DD4 and I couldn't take the risk. DD3 and her flatmates were using LFTs last year as students so I am aware of how many false negatives can occur.

We are currently having to self isolate awaiting pcr as myself and my daughter have a cold which turned into a cough.

I also take two lateral flow tests weekly

I am starting to be concerned that the whole point of LFT’s is going to backfire.

Many people are quite rightly testing twice a week but despite having symptoms, are still going by the negative LFT rather than booking a PCR.

I think the LFT’s are already giving people a false sense of security.

I have a friend who has felt really unwell for a week & I suggested a PCR to rule out Covid but because both her LFT’s were negative, she is insistent she hasn’t got Covid!

You need to book the test. LFT are only to be used if you are asymptomatic, they are not to test people with symptoms. You need a OCR and you need to isolate.

I could have written this. I have a cold and a really dramatic cough (have pulled a muscle with it) but this is not at all unusual for me.
I'm also doing twice weekly lateral flow tests and have done four negative ones. My HT told me I didn't need a PCR or to isolate so I went in Monday/Tuesday then it got worse and I felt appalling on Wednesday so booked a PCR test and isolated.
Four days later I'm still waiting for the results of the PCR test and panicking that they won't come by Monday as my HT is already annoyed that I took the test in the first place.

What did you decide to do OP? Hope you're feeling alright.

@GeorgeandHarold66

I could have written this. I have a cold and a really dramatic cough (have pulled a muscle with it) but this is not at all unusual for me. I'm also doing twice weekly lateral flow tests and have done four negative ones. My HT told me I didn't need a PCR or to isolate so I went in Monday/Tuesday then it got worse and I felt appalling on Wednesday so booked a PCR test and isolated. Four days later I'm still waiting for the results of the PCR test and panicking that they won't come by Monday as my HT is already annoyed that I took the test in the first place.

What did you decide to do OP? Hope you're feeling alright.

@GeorgeandHarold66

You’ve done the right thing by having a PCR test & isolating.

It’s rather worrying that your HT is annoyed. I’m sure it’s much better to have one member of staff off & isolated rather than Covid spreading & causing further infection amongst staff & pupils?

if you don't want to waste resources, get a PCR test - avoid spreading the virus if you have it.

I've been and had one. Hoping the results are back quickly though as I don't want to tell my HT I have to self isolate

@GeorgeandHarold66 I hope your results come through soon. Like you, a cough is nothing unusual for me but I know I can't afford to be complacent.

@GeorgeandHarold66 is your class still in?

You have to have a PCR. The second you have a lateral flow test whilst having symptoms the results are classed as void in my school and LA. No symptoms means LFT, any symptoms means a PCR.

So I tested neg on lateral flow with these symptoms and positive on PCR... I knew it was likely as DH had already tested positive... results of tests came back overnight so hopefully will for you too. Rest up!

I do agree with pps that lateral flow tests give a false sense of security.
I feel fine though, just a tickly cough which is quite normal for me. It's all about being fair to colleagues and stopping the spread isn't it.

My understanding is that LFT's are for asymptotic testing, if you have symptoms (cough, temperature, loss of taste or smell) you should get a PCR. I'm sure it says that in the LFT leaflet?

[quote NCTDN]@GeorgeandHarold66 is your class still in?[/quote]
Yes they wouldn't be sent home unless I actually tested positive. The stupid thing now is that the PCR test has taken so long to come through that even if I test positive, my close contacts will isolate for about 3 days.... which feels quite pointless 🤷‍♂️

I think if I don't have the results through by Monday, my class will have to be off anyway as we have no one that can cover for me due to mixing of bubbles.

How many people don't bother reading the instructions before doing the LFD tests? This information is all in the instruction booklet.