How likely that 4 LFT’s could be wrong?

[bellsoflemon]

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.

OOps, slow typing and cross posted!

Where are people getting this from that a lateral flow test is only useful if you don't have symptoms? It's the exact opposite, according to Drosten, Germany's leading virologist. Does anyone have a link?

Just do a PCR test. When I had Covid I had a sore throat. Felt like the skin had been peeled off. Sore eyes. Sore head.

Cough and loss of smell didn't develop until much later.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing/regular-rapid-coronavirus-tests-if-you-do-not-have-symptoms/

Agree with PPs. Don't go. Not because this is covid, but because you're ill. If you go and give other people the cold, they'll be ill too and might end up sat around next week with the same dilemma, thinking they might have covid.

It is possible to just have a cold you know??!!!

Friend's daughter took daily LFTs after being sent home from school to isolate due to close contact all negative. After a few days she started getting symptoms. Tests continued to be negative and, although they thought probably a cold, they ordered a PCR. It was positive. So, yes it's possible.

Delta is like a bad cold, hence spreading so much as people think it's a cold

@challengerequired

Where are people getting this from that a lateral flow test is only useful if you don't have symptoms? It's the exact opposite, according to Drosten, Germany's leading virologist. Does anyone have a link?

It’s a (deliberate?) miscommunication by central government. They’ve said only to use them for twice weekly testing but as soon as you get symptoms - get a proper PCR.

But people have just heard the main message which is “test regularly”. The government haven’t shouted very loudly about the bit about only using them for no symptoms. And they certainly haven’t said how poorly the tests pick up covid in the first place.

If you have symptoms you need a pcr, not lateral flow.
The ZOE study people say that the delta variant is appearing to be more like a cold and no cough or loss of smell/taste isn't present.

I would be very cautious. In my experience, lateral flow tests did not turn positive until day 4 of my symptoms.

@0None0

You need to self isolate and take a PCR test

Can you please find me some official guidance that confirms the above for having a cold and a sore throat? I can’t find any.

Nothing to do with Covid but I wouldn’t go to a family event with a bad cold. A few sniffles at the end of a cold fine, but I try not to pass germs in in normal times.

Op, the NHS link kimlo posted says the LFT is for people who doesn't have any symptoms, and says you need to get PCR for someone with symptoms.

Yes, I agree the gov should really update new criteria for symptom of covid, but so many people said and linked that cold symptom is considered to be a indication of positive covid, I really don't get your attitude. Do you believe everything gov say? If so, fair enough.

Ok when I caught Covid I started to feel not right took a test negative then over the next 2 days felt more unwell took a test was positive.
It’s possible it’s a cold but if negative then it’s negative, for me I’d not go carry on with your twice weekly tests . If it’s Covid the next test will pick it up so just to be sure don’t go .

@roguetomato

so many people said and linked that cold symptom is considered to be a indication of positive covid, I really don't get your attitude. Do you believe everything gov say? If so, fair enough.

I’m just pointing out that there is no official guidance to isolate and test if you have a blocked / runny nose and sore throat.(which is what I have)

I’ve taken 4 LFT’s which are negative and I don’t meet the criteria for a PCR, unless of course I lie about the symptoms I have.
Is this what you suggest I do?

I would t go o. The basis of ha I got a stinking cold I did t want to share, regardless of the Covid risk.

It's up to you, really. LFT's accuracy depend on the person testing. And we all know gov's incompetence on handling covid situation which caused unnecessary spread. If you think you are 100% sure you don't have it, go on ahead and go out.

Whole family started here with sore throats and what felt like head colds. Took daily LFT all negative (for work), until a few days later when they weren’t.
Pcr positive, Delta variant confirmed

Of course an LFT can be negative then be positive a few days later, the virus develops. I find it infuriating how many people think one negative test several days ago proves you don’t have something now. LFT only work for a high viral load, we didn’t get positive LFT until a few days after positive pcr tests. We kept checking as thought whoever tested negative was the one that could look after dd with least chance of giving it to her.

Biggest problem is finding away through the opaque pcr booking system which tells you it’s unlikely to be covid if you don’t have any of the main 3 symptoms so won’t let you book a pcr and all the anecdotal evidence is that the delta variant starts with these different symptoms. Maybe that’s how this is spreading so quickly. People think they don’t have it so carry on going to bbqs and government isn’t updating its advice.

When my 16 year old had covid he had a runny nose and nasal voice. That was it.

We didn't PCR him as he had none of the classic symptoms, he was only picked up as we are on the ONS survey. An LFT done 4 days before was negative, he was due another the day after the ONS survey.

They really need to update the symptoms to trigger a PCR.

I had what I thought was a cold, just sneezing and sore throat. Took a LFT, which came out negative.

Took a PCR the next day as we got notified that family members we'd visited a couple of days before had Covid. PCR test confirmed the whole family have it. I wouldn't trust the LFT.

My ds had a sniffy nose and that was it. As there was covid in his school I ordered a pcr and it was positive. I did stretch the truth to get the test and I'm glad I did as we would have been meeting family members and potentially spread it to them.

We did have a positive lft though

Yes, if you want a pcr test just click to say you have one of the official symptoms. Nobody will check. Results are usually texted to you within 12 hours.

Read the Zoe link someone posted up thread about the birthday party. I know what I would do in your situation. And please don’t say that you don’t have the three official symptoms for a PCR test. Things have moved on and we all need to think for ourselves