Negative postal test...but loads of symptoms

[blublub]

Just that really. Anyone else?

I have a rash, out of breath walking up the stairs, have to sit down if I stand up too long because I am dizzy, coughing, cannot talk for a long time without getting out of breath, achy joints.
Test said negative! It’s been 5 days since onset of symptoms (which have progressively got worse) that I took the test. Don’t know what to do now. Can I go out?

I would repeat the test

Are you allowed to order another one?

This happened to me. 3 positive lat flow tests but a neg PCR 3 days post start of symptoms. The helpline told me I was safe to return to work. I didn't because I was unwell with a high temp.

I tested again on day 5 and it came back positive. By day 7 I was in an ambulance being rushed to hospital with pneumonia. Stayed in 3 nights. Given steroids, antibiotics, fluids etc.

I'm on day 20 now. I isolated for 16 days in total because of ongoing symptoms.

@Allthatyouhave gosh that’s awful, I’m so sorry! I hope you recover soon.

I have ordered another test thanks @VaccineSticker

@Allthatyouhave

This happened to me. 3 positive lat flow tests but a neg PCR 3 days post start of symptoms. The helpline told me I was safe to return to work. I didn't because I was unwell with a high temp.

I tested again on day 5 and it came back positive. By day 7 I was in an ambulance being rushed to hospital with pneumonia. Stayed in 3 nights. Given steroids, antibiotics, fluids etc.

I'm on day 20 now. I isolated for 16 days in total because of ongoing symptoms.

Thats awful and so hit and miss with the diagnosis. My sons friend had 2 positive lateral flow tests folowed by a negative PCR test and so went back to work! He didnt have symptoms though so hopefully the 2 LFT were false and not the PCR

Yes i wouldnt be surprised if pcrs are coming back false negative.
In dc2 class there were at least 2 pcr negstive 4 days before the positive. Then 2 other negatives in the yr above despite a positive parent in one case.

Or msybe the reality is most of tgese kids/adults are asymptomatically and we are only finding the few covid cases because school also has a cold (sore throat/short temp/cough) going around....

I was told to disregard the lat flows and that the PCR overrides them.

Thank goodness I had symptoms really and knew not to return to work. As it is, 4 of my colleagues tested positive in the week that followed. It wasn't helped by our boss waiting for the positive PCR and test and trace to contact him before asking staff to isolate.

We work in hospitality and hate to think how many people we possibly infected that week. Our boss doesn't believe in Covid and we haven't really followed any of the guidance as a workplace.

Feeling not like I am going to die anymore but still feel like I have smoked 50 cigarettes and struggle doing things without exhaustion/breathlessness. Had a nosy on t’web and found this below on British medical journal website. So much for accuracy! Will see what the next test says.

“Sensitivity of PCR testing in the real world (taking into consideration the likelihood of the virus getting onto the swab) is only of the order of 70%. It misses (gives false negative results) in about 30% of people who do actually have the virus, and who may be contagious“

You can do another PCR test and continue isolating until you get result.

Can you get to a drive in test centre? The accuracy of PCR tests depends on the skill of the person taking the swab. I believe studies have shown that accuracy is much lower when the test is performed by someone who is untrained.