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?

Thank you for getting a test.

I'm not sure if this thread was intended to be goady, but no most people are probably not getting PCR tests for cold symptoms. The government have done a spectacularly poor job of public information, and a lot of people have decided they don't care anymore.

However, if you know the vaccinated Delta symtoms are often like a cold you're at an advantage to the majority and can use that knowledge to be responsible and get yourself tested.

Unless you've done a pcr, you can't rule out covid. And it's absolutely rotten to try and imagine it away and send your kids into school, potentially bursting bubbles and ruining their last weeks of the term and any booked holidays.

To actually answer your question:

LFT should work cut aren't sensitive so may give false negative.

But I'm glad you're booking a PCR as you're worried enough to post about it and I hope it gives you peace of mind.

Just book a PCR if you are worried. Why are you worried about lying? Whole classes of asymptomatic kids are getting sent for PCRs round here just because they might have been in contact with somebody who does have Covid.
Tick whatever box you want on the booking form. Nobody checks!

@Thelazydog

Booking my test now.

I surely hope the rest of the UK are being tested for their runny noses, headaches, and sore throats ;)

I got the impression everyone was ditching masks and going to sports events.

I really don't like being made out to be a villain for asking if lateral flow will work when I have a cold - I've done more to comply this last year than i would wager 90% of the country has.

As a general rule of thumb, don’t listen to these boards telling you what everyone is doing or going to do. There’s a small but vocal minority on here, but generally people will do the right thing.

Seriously don’t worry OP book a test good luck

Yes people are booking PCR tests for exactly your symptoms as, like you mentioned yourself in your OP, these are often now the common symptoms of covid. A friend of mine had a positive PCR test done routinely for work. Every single LF test he has done before, same day and after still shows negative. He has no symptoms at all.

I’m glad to see you are booking a test. It’s so easy and I don’t think there’s a shortage of slots at all.

There's certainly no shortage of slots. Which surprises me, seeing as everyone is getting a test for their every non-symptom symptom ;)

I totally agree that the list of symptoms should be expanded for testing purposes now. Though it would mean a lot of people isolating whilst waiting for results for nothing other than a cold, hayfever or headache... so probably not practical hence it not being done.

It's a reasonable question OP.

It might be acknowledged as some mention that variants present with a wider range of symptoms than the classic three, possibly compounded by different symptom presentation in those vaccinated but as you know the NHS criteria for PCR is still for those with the classic three. I guess that's because it simply isn't feasible for everyone to PCR and isolate every time they have a headache, whatever mumsnet might say. There are no shortage of tests although I'm not sure what the lab cost is per test, it doesn't seem a concern though given the emphasis on surge testing.

I don't know about other households but between our two small children there hasn't been a week in the last few months that one or the other hasn't had a new headache or runny nose. Would have had at least a day off work every single week isolating waiting for test results and would have to lie to employer as well as NHS in pretending DC have a cough or fever each time.

It's true that lateral flow is far less accurate than PCR, but those testing positive on PCR after negative lateral flows may have had an infection some time ago as PCR can stay positive for some time. Also, those presenting with cold symptoms who have a positive PCR may also have a cold in addition to asymptomatic Covid, there's loads of cold viruses circulating at the moment.

I'm not saying that OP is wrong to book a test but that her opening question was reasonable, given that the government are also privy to information about symptoms but have chosen to maintain classic test criteria.

@Demonicsingingtoys THANK you! I thought my original question was reasonable!

People are scary though..! So I'm going for a test.

The three classic covid symptoms are not exclusive to covid though, so I don’t think expanding the criteria is a bad idea. The government should absolutely do it. Other countries have a wider list.

I’m concerned that the government haven’t to be honest.

OP, I have got tests when symptoms in our house have been “borderline” because we’ve had exposure to covid through school many times. Better safe than sorry.

Lateral flows are absolutely awful. I've had 7 positives all turning out to be negatives with PCRs . If you have symptoms I'd do a PCR

Lft are crap so obviously you should get a test 🤷‍♀️
If you didn't think you had it you wouldn't be on here asking ffs

All this talk of “classic symptoms” reminds me of the Blackadder episode where they accidentally give someone a suicide pill and they describe the very precise stages you go through before finally jumping into the corner and dying!

Do you remember us being told exactly how persistent and “persistent” cough should be?? About how many coughing episodes in a hour would indicate Covid? All that is just nonsensical now. My DCs have had Covid and the only “classic” symptom was a high temp. Their other symptoms were stomach pains and nosebleeds.

If you are worried it might be Covid, get a PCR test. If nothing else it will put your mind at rest and will make you feel less worried next time you are ill.

I tested positive on lateral flow came up straught away. Did another same thing. Had pcr test came back positive.
Double vaccinated!!!
Symptoms like a cold, hayfever. Headache blocked nose.
Just get a test.
Do think government needs to warn people that symptoms can be a cold.
Luckily i didnt visit my mum as she is extremely vulnerable before testing. Could easily put it done to a 24 hour thing get from time to time.

Manchester City council Facebook page is advising that the delta variant has different symptoms, and if in doubt get a test, and that we can say we have been advised by the council to do so.

Schools in our area have advise PCR for a wide range of symptoms but mainly those you describe OP, the symptoms for delta are very much summer cold, headache sore throat, temp, sickness. This is because of evidence they are seeing in lots of cases in schools. They are pretty much said to ignore the test symptoms listed online when booking. I suspect that the government have not changed the symptoms list because it probably suits them not to know the full extent of cases

Also in response to your OP, the LF tested positive for my DD when she had symptoms.

Hope you are negative @Thelazydog

Lateral flows have a bad rap. Unfairly. Sounds like it could be a number of things. Hayfever, cold. Get a PCR if you're worried but I think lateral flows give false positives much more frequently than false negatives.

@santabetterwashhishands well I think I have a cold, but my symptoms coincide with the "new" common symptoms, so I was wondering whether the lateral flow tests would pick it up despite me being all congested. I've been nowhere near anyone with covid, I've been in nobody's home, I've done nothing in the last week except the socially distanced school run and a quick stop in Tesco, so it's unlikely I've got it. I just wondered whether lateral flow work when you're stuffed up with cold.

But I'm getting a test, because everybody is ffs-ing me for wondering about the lateral flow tests!

Just go get an pcr test!

I thought lft only work if you have no symptoms at all?

@FiddlefigOnTheRoof

I also have issues with getting a pcr test when you don’t have the official symptoms. I know it’s common sense to do so, but does know if/how the data is being logged? Because I’d be reluctant to enter false data to get a pcr test if in aggregate all of us entering the false data provides an incorrect picture of symptoms.

If you test positive, you are contacted by T&T who go through a long list of symptoms that they register. The Delta symptoms are widely known by public health and schools. It is down to the government why they are not listing these. Perhaps they do not want to be overwhelmed by testing, perhaps they don't want us to know the true number of cases or maybe it's part of their herd immunity strategy.

@ssd

I thought lft only work if you have no symptoms at all?

No. They will work to detect symptomatic patients too.

The reason they say pcr for symptoms is that lft gives lots of false negatives, because its not very sensitive.