LFTs - more harm than good?!

[SquashMinusIsShit]

I know of at least 6 people with covid symptoms but because they're testing negative on lateral flow tests they're still sending kids to school/nursery, going to work & planning on going on holiday.

Do the few asymptotic people they catch outweigh the 'positive but testing negative' ????

The rules are you do a PCR test if you have symptoms, so those people are just twats.

I don’t know, I’m in the same situation, have a cold but testing daily on LF as I can’t take the time off. Chances are it is a very normal summer cold. What are people supposed to do?

I mean, I have COLD symptoms and not the big free covid symptoms. No temp loss of smell or taste. Do the people you are talking about have these symptoms?

I thought they were 72% accurate in people with symptoms?

*big THREE

They have the new, updated delta symptoms including a cough

Pretty sure cough has always been right up there.

They need a PCR not a lateral flow

@Sleepthief

I thought they were 72% accurate in people with symptoms?

That's nowhere near good enough for symptomatic testing.

It's OK for asymtomatic screening though, because finding 3/4 of cases that would otherwise have gone undetected is a pretty big win.

Missing 1/4 of those who are symptomatic is shockingly bad

They do need a PCR but people always have a habit of using things in the way for which they were not intended but achieves their own aims. I think you'd have to go a long way to swing the balance to make lfts misuse outburden their correctly used benefits op but hopefully someone is keeping tabs on it?

It's really annoying. I really hoped people who are sick would stay home regardless of whether it's covid or flu or cold. Was hoping that would be a positive change to come out of this. But people are just back to their selfish ways.

If they have cold symptoms they should get a PCR, latest advice is to test if you are feeling off colour because the Delta symptoms are different. DD2 (12) just had a positive LFT yesterday morning, no symptoms at the time. We all got PCR tests later that day and she and DH (he's fully vaccinated) both came back positive. Today DD2 is developing Delta symptoms (headache, sore throat, stuffy nose) but TBH if she hadn't had the positive LFT and PCR tests I don't think I'd have noticed, and DH is still symptomless.

@Shelddd it’s not short sighted. Not everyone can stay at home for a bloody cold. Most can’t afford to be doing that.

I mean it’s not selfish, don’t be so short sighted.

Should everyone stay off with hayfever synptoms, just in case

Cool, yeah go to work and get 15 people sick. What if those 15 people can't afford to be off? If everyone just stayed the fuck home then you wouldn't have to worry. You're being short sighted.

@Branleuse

Should everyone stay off with hayfever synptoms, just in case

No, but perhaps everyone with hayfever symptoms uncontrolled by hayfever medication should be getting a PCR test, don't you think?

Imo lateral flows give false reassurance. Many people have tested negative on lateral flows but positive shortly after on a pcr.

A woman who's children go to my kids school did this. They were poorly with temps etc. Did lateral flows which were negative and all go as usual (she has a high pressure job). Shortly after there was an outbreak. Not sure if linked but could well be.

My daughter had a chesty cough and cold symptoms a few weeks ago. I immediately booked a pcr test, results came back within 11 hours and negative. I was asked why I just didn't do a lateral flow... 😒

the guidance is very clear that a pcr must be used if you have symptoms and lateral flows are for asymptomatic testing.

@Shelddd don’t be thick.

I know lots of people who think they can just use an LFT rather than PCR when they have symptoms. Well, some genuinely think this, others just can't be bothered with isolating their household and travelling to a test centre/ waiting for a postal PCR.

I am actually surprised at the 72% accuracy mentioned above , I am sure I read 40% but that was a while ago and I presume studies have been on going.

Imo lateral flows give false reassurance

Exactly. Especially people who have been vaccinated or have had it before because 'it can't possibly be covid'

A woman who's children go to my kids school did this. They were poorly with temps etc. Did lateral flows which were negative and all go as usual

In our case the mum had the symptoms but negative LFT but had covid & passed it onto her daughter, closing DD's class bubble

LFTs are the doing harm - the idiots who don't follow the rule which has now been with us for over a year are doing the harm.
If you have symptoms of Covid, you gave to get a PCR test. That's it - there's no grey area. This has never changed.

LFTs were introduced as an extra way of spotting asymptomatic cases.
My daughter has a cough. I do a LFT every day due to the nature of my work - all negative. But she has a symptom so we are all isolating and took her for a PCR this morning. Is it a pain to wait for results- yes. Did I think about not getting a PCR? Of course not.,

I mean in their defence there are no updated delta symptoms. The gov.uk site only details the main 3, everything else has been in the media. I’m not saying it’s not true, just that people are following the government rules, they shouldn’t be judged for that. Yes there are some people who’s common sense or whatever would push them to PCR anyway, but I don’t think people should be judged for not getting one for cold symptoms until those symptoms are on the official list.

Although you have said in this case they have a cough - obvs that’s a blatant PCR test if it’s new/persistent.