Test centre telling me to do lateral flow test even if symptoms present

[LetTheBirdsSing]

I’ve just got back from a test centre to get DC tested as he spent all day coughing yesterday. The test centre staff asked if I had lateral flow tests at home and I explained I have but that I’d booked the appointment because DC had one of the possible symptoms. The staff looked at me like I was bonkers and were all saying that I should just do a lateral flow test at home and only book a test at a test centre if the lateral flow test comes back negative. Also told me not to expect a test result any time soon due to it being a bank holiday.

I feel really crap, as though I’ve subjected us all to self isolating unnecessarily now but I’m sure the information the test centre staff are giving me is incorrect.

They are incorrect.

If someone has symptoms then they should do a PCR test.

See, I swore that was the case too but twice when I’ve been there this spring I’ve been told this and they’ve acted as though I’ve been really over the top for going there. I also rang 119 once to clarify and at first the woman said I could just do the lateral flow test at home and then said “Well, if you want to do everything absolutely to the letter...”

It feels really confusing that people working at test centres and in the 119 call centre are giving this advice.

You're right and they're wrong, I would consider making a complaint as they shouldn't be giving out their "advice".

How old is your DC?

The tests are unpleasant, there is no way on earth I would subject my DC to unnecessary tests, so if they had symptoms I would get a PCR for them and wouldn't bother with a lateral flow test.

They even said it themselves, if the lateral flow test was negative you'd have to get a PCR test anyway!

My DC is 1 year old. I’ve had to get him tested 3 times since he was born, twice in the last six weeks. They kept saying it was nicer and easier to do lateral flow tests at home. I mean it’s not like heading out to a test centre is my idea of a fun family day out!

"They kept saying it was nicer and easier to do lateral flow tests at home."

I suppose it's slightly easier at home but if you're going to put them through the test it really should be the most accurate one!

I would be pretty irritated tbh.

Hope it's negative 🤞

Technically they are wrong and the guidance says to get a PCR test. Logically/scientifically doing a lateral flow test and then getting a PCR if it is negative makes more sense.

You are right, symptomatic then PCR not LFT. Also you would possibly need to do a PCR in the end if the LFT came back positive putting your child through another unpleasant experience unnecessarily.

Why does logic say to do a lateral flow test first @RafaIsTheKingOfClay? I thought the reason they aren’t recommended for people who have symptoms is that they are less accurate and therefore might produce a negative result for someone who does in fact have Covid? Or have I got that wrong?

Logically/scientifically doing a lateral flow test and then getting a PCR if it is negative makes more sense.

But it doesn't, 'cos you still "must" get a PCR if the LFD is positive too, that's the instruction, so there's absolutely no benefit in doing the LFD, just wastes the LFD.

@LetTheBirdsSing

Why does logic say to do a lateral flow test first *@RafaIsTheKingOfClay*? I thought the reason they aren’t recommended for people who have symptoms is that they are less accurate and therefore might produce a negative result for someone who does in fact have Covid? Or have I got that wrong?

You aren't wrong.

DS class bubble burst recently because someone had a negative LFD test but was positive on PCR the next day

Well, you COULD do an LF test and if THAT's positive AND he has symptoms then it's pretty much certain he's got covid.

A -ve LF test means absolutely nothing though.

But that's not the current guidance though which is PCR if symptoms.

if you get a positive lf at home you need a pcr. They are saying if it's negative you need a pcr. So by what they are saying either way you need a pcr.

You are right, it is a pcr for symptoms. Lfs are good for catching some people who have it who wouldn't normally test because they don't have symptoms. Dd never tested positive on a lf, she did on a pcr, they don't catch all cases.

@kimlo

if you get a positive lf at home you need a pcr. They are saying if it's negative you need a pcr. So by what they are saying either way you need a pcr.

You are right, it is a pcr for symptoms. Lfs are good for catching some people who have it who wouldn't normally test because they don't have symptoms. Dd never tested positive on a lf, she did on a pcr, they don't catch all cases.

if you get a positive lf at home you need a pcr.

You can take a PCR if you have no symptoms and think the LF may be a false +ve, but AFAIK there's no requirement to - you can simply accept the LF results and isolate.

You can take a PCR

The LFD leaflet etc. says MUST, but of course no one can force you either way, but the correct thing to do to help everyone out is to follow the rules, it's important for tracking variants, it's also required for support payments and full track & trace involvement.

So please take a PCR.

My husband tested covid positive last night through a pcr test. He decided to do a lateral flow too to see what happened...it came up negative.
We won't be trusting lateral flow anymore.

I received a letter through my child's school yesterday, from our county director of education, that said the lateral flow tests aren't suitable for under 11s. The test centre are wrong.

@BurnstonesBabies

My husband tested covid positive last night through a pcr test. He decided to do a lateral flow too to see what happened...it came up negative. We won't be trusting lateral flow anymore.

Wow, that’s shocking! Hope your husband is ok.

I think if I go back to that test centre and start asking me about lateral flow tests I will just be telling them that I’ve had a positive lateral flow test and that’s why I’m getting the PCR test done. Frustrating that they’re giving out this advice though as I wonder how many other people they’ve said it to who are now not getting PCR tests when they should be.