School sent DS home

[BooseysMom]

Yesterday DS had a slight cough and a temp of 36.6 and the school sent him home and ordered him to get a PCR test. We did this but had to do the test ourselves as he's under 12. We are awaiting the results. We are 100% sure its hayfever as we get it every year. Our weekend is now ruined and I had no idea that even if he's negative (which he will be), he has to self isolate for 10 days! This imo is madness. We did a lateral flow test and it was negative. Told the school and they said it's not accurate as they only show asymptomatic cases!
Can I complain to the school and ask them to reconsider his exclusion? He has no symptoms and hasn't coughed for hours. Can we get the gp to confirm it's hay fever?
Thanks in advance for any advice.

@espresso14

This is what is happening. A positive case in bubble, children in bubble encouraged to get a PCR test, but even if PCR negative, they still have to isolate. Even if multiple PCR tests are negative.

It's different if you have a positive contact though. You still have to do the 10 days (day 7 here and negative PCR tests!!)

@Hophop26.. thank you.

I have just seen that we can book a walk in test just up the road ,not a drive thru like yesterday, so should have read the guidance more carefully..I.would have saved a long stressful journey. I am not having a good few days here 😓

you are incredibly lucky if this is your first time isolating, though the timing sucks. Some of us have done several isolations, including a abck to back one, wiith only a two day break, with autistic kids in a small flat...

and we are not the worst case scenario either...

Ido hope your results come back soon though as missing out on stuff is shit.

Whilst it was a daft thing to put it in the test, the journey would be enough to make anyone not think clearly. Problem is you may have to retest, and miss out on festival

Where are you that under 12s cant have a PCR? My kids had one each yesterday and they are both under 10.

I read that LFT actually has a higher percentage of accuracy in people with symptoms than the PCR does. I'll try and find the link.

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz

Where are you that under 12s cant have a PCR? My kids had one each yesterday and they are both under 10.

I think this was a typo from someone. I think they meant U12s shouldn't have LFT's. My 2 year old had a PCR the other day.

I got LFTs for all of us, under 12s too. I was asked the ages and given 2 boxes, no one said they weren't useable.

LFTs can be used on anyone WHO DOES NOT HAVE SYMPTOMS.

Secondary school pupils should be testing twice per week, primary pupils do not have to, so any use of LFTs by primary pupils is optional.

ANYONE with symptoms MUST get a PCR test, as although an LFT has better accuracy when someone is symptomatic, it is still woefully inaccurate (about 50% of actual positives will be detected in the very best case scenario) and so a PCR is used.

Literally says on the LFT box that it's suitable for under 12s under adult supervision. And I've read that actually LFTs are proven to be MORE accurate than PCR on symptomatic people.

Unless you are sure it's menopause maybe get a swab for yourself too as covid can feel like night sweats or chills etc

Did you get the result OP?

@TerrifiedandWorried... Yes I did thank you..it was negative it arrived at 6pm. I even phoned 119 earlier and got cut off. So we can go to the festival tomorrow and DS is overjoyed. Amazingly it wasn't contaminated or if it was, it didn't matter.

Thanks for all the advice everyone.

Great news OP, enjoy the festival!

You can guarantee this would happen when you have got something good booked to go to!

The only time he has to isolate after a positive pcr is if he is classed as a ‘contact’ of a confirmed positive - because he may still be incubating the virus.
If he is the one sent home with symptoms - you take a pcr if negative you don’t have to isolate.

Hooray!

Good news op, enjoy your festival!

@Iggi999... Exactly!

Thank you all xx