Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

How likely that 4 LFT’s could be wrong?

121 replies

bellsoflemon · 12/06/2021 00:29

I do twice weekly LFTS’s Wednesday and Sunday.
I tested negative Wednesday.

As part of work I went to a lab on Thursday who required an LFT to be taken, which was negative.

Today i started with an awful cold, sore throat and feeling generally a bit run down.

I’m at a family bbq tomorrow so I did an LFT this morning which was negative, another one this evening which was also negative.

Have messaged in my family group to say I’m thinking of not going to BBQ and they’ve all told me the tests are negative and to still go.

OP posts:
SleepingStandingUp · 12/06/2021 00:30

Why do you think they're wrong? If you'd had a mix of positives and negatives I'd understand but four negatives seem pretty solid to me

Pinchoftums · 12/06/2021 00:32

Is anyone in your family group vulnerable? If so that would be the deciding factor for me.

Original poster
bellsoflemon · 12/06/2021 00:34

@Pinchoftums

Is anyone in your family group vulnerable? If so that would be the deciding factor for me.
@Pinchoftums

No. Sister in law is very overweight but she’s young.

OP posts:
Original poster
bellsoflemon · 12/06/2021 00:34

@SleepingStandingUp

Why do you think they're wrong? If you'd had a mix of positives and negatives I'd understand but four negatives seem pretty solid to me
@SleepingStandingUp

I just wasn’t sure how reliable they are.

OP posts:
Thisisus909 · 12/06/2021 00:35

I would be lead by the others attending, if everyone else is happy I would go. Presumably no one is particularly vulnerable? Have they been vaccinated?

It’s possible to still have COVID and not test positive on LFTs. But more likely you just have a cold.

Tippexy · 12/06/2021 00:35

A cold and a sore throat are not indicative of Covid. Do you usually have anxiety?

Original poster
bellsoflemon · 12/06/2021 00:37

@Tippexy

A cold and a sore throat are not indicative of Covid. Do you usually have anxiety?
@Tippexy

No, I’m not anxious now either.
Just don’t want to be irresponsible and go out if I could potentially pass on Covid.

OP posts:
SleepingStandingUp · 12/06/2021 00:37

I think the point is that if it's say 1% of one being wrong, it's much less for 4 to be wrong.

Thisisus909 · 12/06/2021 00:37

@Tippexy

A cold and a sore throat are not indicative of Covid. Do you usually have anxiety?
They were two of my symptoms and are listed officially in other countries. So your statement is a bit overly simplistic. It’s a judgement call not an absolute right or wrong situation.
ZealAndArdour · 12/06/2021 00:38

Unless you have a fever, a cough or anosmia and therefore require a PCR test (and shouldn’t be lateral flow testing), you’re technically within the letter of the covid rules and can still go to the party.

However, I appreciate it’s a bit of a grey area. If you feel rubbish, you’re not obligated to attend the barbecue, regardless of your family’s encouragement.

im2sad · 12/06/2021 00:44

Covid aside I wouldn't go to a family Bbq if I felt awful, wouldn't want to inflict it on others.
Sounds like they want you to go but I'd be telling them sorry I need to rest.

AstonishingMouse · 12/06/2021 00:51

I wouldn't go on the basis that I wouldn't want to pass on a rotten cold, particularly as others may then have symptoms which may have crossover with covid and they therefore may have to isolate and test.
It's been a bonus of the covid era that we've had very few of the usual inconvenient colds and other bugs.

ifyougetthechancedoit · 12/06/2021 01:04

I'm not entirely sure what you are asking?

You probably don't have covid, but you definitely have a bug. My current rule is not to spread any germs. It's up to you to set your own principles.

Ostara212 · 12/06/2021 01:20

If you have a full on cold, don't go. No one wants to catch that.

EhVwalah · 12/06/2021 01:20

Perhaps this is why the UK still us in a bad place with covid. In many other countries these symptoms would mean you are legally required to stay at home and have a pcr test. Do people want a cold even if it isn't covid?

notangelinajolie · 12/06/2021 01:40

Covid or not you aren't well.
Don't go spreading your germs.
Stay at home and get better Flowers

whatnow41 · 12/06/2021 01:52

I've had a cough for 4 weeks now, 6 negative tests and just started antibiotics. I still feel a bit worried that it might be Covid and will pass it to someone. I have my first hairdressers appointment since before the first lockdown and worried they will worry.

I did go to a family meal but only after telling everyone first and giving them the choice. I'd have quite fancied the afternoon at home by myself but they insisted I went. Do whatever makes you feel most comfortable.

BiniorellaSun · 12/06/2021 03:40

Get a PCR. I think you know this really!
You have described Covid symptoms, especially if vaccinated.
The government 3 symptoms are bollocks, everyone knows this now, including them. They just don’t want to back down on test rationing they started last year. They are all Covid symptoms but late ones.
Spreading a cold around even if it is just a cold, isn’t great at the moment as it will cause so much stress.

BowtieBling · 12/06/2021 03:44

My understanding is that LFT is useless if you display symptoms.
No symptoms, lateral flow test.
Symptoms, PCR test.

LightasaBreeze · 12/06/2021 04:22

Sounds like you have a bad cold so I wouldn't go

Pepperama · 12/06/2021 04:32

Only PCR tests are reliable in telling you if you've got it, sorry. LFT are good for picking up some extra asymptomatic cases, but they miss at least 40% of true infections especially in the early stages.

BlueCowWonders · 12/06/2021 04:49

Surely
Today i started with an awful cold, sore throat and feeling generally a bit run down
would mean that you wouldn't enjoy yourself anyway so should stay quietly at home
But this sounds like my hay fever symptoms and pollen counts are very high at the moment

TeddingtonTrashbag · 12/06/2021 05:06

Regardless of whether is is ‘Covid’ or not - is not good to go and spread a cold to numerous people! Especially now when the paranoid will assume any symptom they get is Covid!

Againstmachine · 12/06/2021 06:01

People had illness before covid it might even be hayfevee, it's your call if you go or not.

Swipe left for the next trending thread