Will lateral flow test work?

[Thelazydog]

I've got the "classic" symptoms according to the zoe study - for once vaccinated people, these are apparently headache, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing and fever.

I don't have the fever, but have the other 4 and feel rotten.

As I don't have fever, cough or smell/ taste problem, I can't get a PCR test.

Will lateral flow tests tell me if I have covid? I know they say they're for asymptomatic people, but I'm technically not showing the govt required symptoms, despite being full of other symptoms.

I've done 2 lateral flow, both negative, but I know they don't have 100% accuracy anyway. But are they just maybe not picking it up because I'm gross and mucousy?

Book a test and it will say why are you booking a test and put 'the zoe app told me to'.

In answer to your question the lft might come up positive but you are better booking a PCR

Sadly the zoe app hasn't told me to though. I put my symptoms in it, and nothing... I thought that might be the way to go about it, so I logged my symptoms but they haven't said to get a test.

I was reading their email update which listed the now most common symptoms, but when I registered mine, they didn't say to test.

The lateral flow tests for our kids who definitely have covid were ever so slightly different to mine (I don’t have covid). Their lateral flow tests have the faintest of faint grey mark where you would expect to see a second pink line. You have to squint in a certain light to see it though! My LFT’s are completely clear.

Redo an LFT and put it next to an LFT from someone who you think is definitely negative?

Or get a pcr - I think the whole worrying about “not having the 3 symptoms” ship has sailed tbh.

The lateral flow tests are shockingly inaccurate so no, I wouldn’t rely on them.

It may just be a regular cold.

It comes as a separate email a few hours later (up to 48 in my experience).

You can get a PCR. No one actually checks wether the app told you to or not.

If you think you have it, just click that the app told you to to get the test.

I did think about just lying and booking a pcr. I figured that there are plenty of people not getting them when they have symptoms, so I'd hardly be stealing a slot... but my conscience will not allow.

Will do more lateral flow, and will scrutinise. Will get DH to do one too, for comparison.

It takes a while for the invitation to test email, usually the next day.

Just book a PCR test. No-one can prove you don't have a cough or change to taste and smell, and no-one checks anyway. You must have reason to suspect if you're worried about your symtoms, and regardless you're being responsible.

@terrifiedandworried no email yet, though it's only been about 20 hrs since logging. Will wait and hope!

But if you think you have covid, surely your conscience, should be happy getting a test, so you can know if you have it to.

Unless you can work on the assumption you have it, and self isolate you and your family.

Just book a PCR. No one checks what symptoms you have and you are doing the responsible thing

@Thelazydog

I did think about just lying and booking a pcr. I figured that there are plenty of people not getting them when they have symptoms, so I'd hardly be stealing a slot... but my conscience will not allow.

Will do more lateral flow, and will scrutinise. Will get DH to do one too, for comparison.

But will your conscience allow you to possibly spread covid?

There are plenty of tests, you will not be limiting others getting one.

Surely it's better to know for certain.

Look locally - round me there are no shortage of pcr slots- so by getting one when you are worried, and being responsible, would not deny someone who ‘needs’ one a slot. There are literally hundreds of slots within half hour drive. It’s better to do it and know one way or the other.

I think I have a cold. I might have covid, as I fit the new symptoms list. If I do have covid, I don't want to spread it around. If I don't have covid, I don't want to isolate for 10 days for a bad cold.

I'll obviously be minimizing my movements anyway, as I feel rotten, but it's whether or not I send my kids to school etc.

Technically I should still, and I don't need to even think about testing myself, but I'm an over-worrier and can't help but think "what if"... I'll stick with the lateral flow tests, will keep logging with zoe app and hope they send me for a test, and will just stay home as much as possible.

You need a PCR.

I can't go doing pcr tests everytime I'm ill though - that would be daft. Hence wondering if lateral flow will work if I'm full of "cold".

@sonnetforspring based on what though? I don't qualify!

My husband has Covid currently and it was picked up through a routine PCR test through work. He has none of the three "classic" symptoms. He has a headache, aches and gastric symptoms.

You need to know before you send the kids to school.

If you test positive later next week, your child could end up not only isolating, but having the whole class sent home....missing the end of term.

That would be incredibly awful to do, if you already suspect you have it.

Do a PCR! My husband had similar symptoms and all 3 LFTs were negative. Next day he took a PCR after developing a temperature and it was positive.

Why ask?

@grumpysausage believe me, my conscience has played a starring role in my life this last 16 months. I have been utterly paranoid about being an asymptomatic spreader. So no, my conscience will not allow me to go around potentially spreading covid, but equally I cannot just stay home forever.

How odd, the Zoe app tells you you have classic symptoms but you're not willing to get a test when there is absolutely no shortage and by doing so you could stop yourself spreading it and save others from being in this situation.

Yes it may be a general cold but I really don't understand about your conscience not allowing it? Surely if you're involving your conscience then you get a test??

Just book a pcr!!!! It's common knowledge that the classic 3 symptoms for getting a test is out of date guidance... You'll be doing everyone more harm by sending your kids to school when you could have covid

Just check the box that says you have symptoms. Get a test. No one cares if they're not the 'official symptoms'