Negative LFT but actually positive anyone?

[Blossom4538]

Hi all,
Has anyone experienced or heard of anyone having a negative LFT (or more than one) but actually turning out to be positive with PCR Test or symptoms?

Thanks!

My cousin had two negative LFT but still felt unwell so went for PCR and was positive

Quite a few.

My DD's boyfriend got symptoms, positive LFT and then positive PCR

DD now has symptoms but is getting negative LFT's and a negative PCR however it is still fairly early days after the exposure - we'll continue to keep an eye on it and do lft's/pcr as necessary

We are all isolating

Lateral flow tests have low false positives and high false negatives which is why they're used for mass regular testing of asymptomatic people, and also why they're not the test to use if you have symptoms!

Ok May I ask what symptoms they’ve all experienced. I think I will do a PCR x

Lateral flow tests are for asymptomatic people, if you have symptoms you need a PCR test. They are not very sensitive at detecting covid.
Do you have symptoms?

My 11 year old had negative LFT at 8:30 am
Came home from school 5pm no appetite and very very tired and pale
Tested positive on PCR next day.

The symptoms I'm having, which seem to be the common delta ones are blocked nose, cough, fatigue t begin with. Fatigue better after first day or so, cough and sniffles better yesterday and today (symptoms started on Sunday). No temperature. As of yesterday complete loss of taste and smell.

Yep me. Did a PCR which was positive on Tuesday, symptoms began on Wednesday. All LFT taken last week and this week were negative.

Lateral flow test are for asymptotic cases. If you have symptoms go for a PCR. My daughter was in close contact with a positive case and was told to isolate. We tested her with Lft everyday but they were all negative. After a few days she had a really bad headache, cold symptoms, sore throat and was really lethargic. Her lft was yet again neg but she wasn’t right. We took her for a PCR and it was positive.

• asymptomatic

Yes. Two school kids here. Several negative lft and no symptoms. Both had positive pcr.

They still test negative on lft 🙄

Yes happens so much. Lateral flows aren't great. If you have symptoms you need a pcr. Do not rely on a lateral flow please. Lateral flows are less sensitive than pcr. Imo they are giving people false reassurance they have not going when in fact they could.

I had quite bad cold symptoms, sore throat, runny nose. Took several LFT, all negative. Carried about my business as usual. Developed a cough, went for a PCR and came back negative. Still coughing a week later so done another LFT. Negative! I just don’t think it’s Covid. There are lots of other bugs going around atm.

I’ve had LOADS of green phlegm which (AFAIK) isn’t usually a sign of Covid.

@Blossom4538

Hi all, Has anyone experienced or heard of anyone having a negative LFT (or more than one) but actually turning out to be positive with PCR Test or symptoms?

Thanks!

Yes, dd had symptoms, done 3 LFT and all negative. Pcr positive

@Blossom4538

Ok May I ask what symptoms they’ve all experienced. I think I will do a PCR x

Headache, sore throat then temp

Yes a couple of friends.

Isolating as close contacts. LFD everyday negative, both developed sore throats and runny noses. Tested as worried and close contact and both were positive on PCR

Yes, my colleague had a negative lateral flow 2 weeks ago after her husband displayed symptoms that morning. They both came back positive from the PCR test done the same day and have been quite ill since, despite being double vaccinated.

Yep, lateral flow did become eventually positive about 48 hours after the positive PCR.

See Tim Specter on the Zoe covid website/YouTube channel - the key symptoms of the delta variant, especially in vaccinated people, are headache, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat. Fever and loss of smell/taste, not so much.

Yes, me! Four negative LFTs over four days (I’d just had my vaccine and wondered if I was just having aches from the jab), symptoms suddenly in the kids, booked us all for PCR, 2 out of 3 of us positive on PCR.

DH took one the day after a positive swab just out of curiosity: negative. They're useful on a population level (if people used them as directed!) to pick up asymptomatic cases that we'd otherwise be oblivious too. But they aren't a reliable indicator of whether you have the virus. If you have symptoms you need a proper test.

It surprises me that there's still such a poor understanding of how LFTs are supposed to work!

I’m not sure my symptoms are genuine or from some air freshener sprays I’ve used!

Tight, sore chest and sore throat. A little nauseous overnight…negative LFT first thing. Will order a test x

@SpringheelJack

DH took one the day after a positive swab just out of curiosity: negative. They're useful on a population level (if people used them as directed!) to pick up asymptomatic cases that we'd otherwise be oblivious too. But they aren't a reliable indicator of whether you have the virus. If you have symptoms you need a proper test.

It surprises me that there's still such a poor understanding of how LFTs are supposed to work!

It doesn't surprise me at all. I think the messaging about them has been dreadful and the concepts are tricky to get your head around.

Hope you get the result quickly and it's negative