DH ‘full of a head cold’ but negative LFT

[Hummusislife]

He’s had a PCR test this morning to be on the safe side, how unreliable are LFT’s? We are meant to be going to a hotel for a few days this week for a much needed break. Really hoping our annual leave won’t be wasted isolating 😩

My understanding is they are only intended to pick up asymptomatic cases, so you'll need to wait for the PCR.

I hope your DH is OK. Has he been jabbed (long enough ago for it to be effective)?

He’s double jabbed, last jab was early June so yes, hopefully he’ll be ok.

@ShadowInVain

My understanding is they are only intended to pick up asymptomatic cases, so you'll need to wait for the PCR.

I hope your DH is OK. Has he been jabbed (long enough ago for it to be effective)?

If he only has a head cold then he is asymptomatic. So he didnt need to have the PCR and could have just carried on love with a negative LFT.

Having the PCR is a bonus, belt and braces, but in this instance, wasnt the advised next step.

Good luck either way with the results!

LFT pick up about 60% of cases. It doesn’t matter if they are asymptomatic or symptomatic. It’s just that PCR tests are for symptomatic cases because LFT aren’t reliable enough when you have symptoms.
Dd was asymptomatic and negative on LFT but positive on PCR. Ds was symptomatic and positive on LFT and PCR.

Lots of colds going about right now that are not covid, fingers crossed that you get away.

The delta variant symptoms can be quite subtle. DH had a headache and hoarse voice.

Husband and I had terrible cold 2 weeks ago. All lateral flows negative but did as you have done and went for PCRs. Results came back within 24 hours - both negative. Just a standard cold 🤷‍♀️.

@ShadowInVain

My understanding is they are only intended to pick up asymptomatic cases, so you'll need to wait for the PCR.

I hope your DH is OK. Has he been jabbed (long enough ago for it to be effective)?

Nope. I was symptomatic and did one as I had one in the house and couldn’t get a PCR until the next morning. I got a strong positive.

They are for use on people who are not symptomatic in place of PCR because you can do them yourself and quickly. Not because they don’t work.

Double jabbed uncle in his 50s has had "a bad cold" this week and 3 negative LFTs. I told him to get a PCR anyway.

Positive.

The reason I told him to, was because the exact same thing happened to my friend 2 weeks ago.

Unfortunately they're not perfect (LFTs) and shouldnt be relied on in symptomatic cases as a diagnostic for that very reason.

I currently have covid masquerading as a severe head cold. That is just how it often presents in double vaccinated people.

Dd is still testing negative on lateral flow tests even though we have a positive PCR.

Also - to anyone who thinks that "A cold" doesnt need a PCR test - no it doesnt, not according to govt guidance.

But this is the govt who are abandoning masks and SD whilst cases go through the roof, so maybe DON'T just go by what they say, but use your common sense, look at all of the evidence that Delta variant presents as a cold, and get a bloody PCR test, if you have any of the wider symptoms.

I’ve had a stinking head cold - negative PCR test. I think it’s a consequence of going out and about more, with more lurgys able to spread.

My pcr positive kids had lovely negative LFT’s.

I had a proper stinker of a cold a couple of weeks ago - I was convinced it was Covid

LFT was negative, so had a PCR test to be on the safe side - was really shocked when it came back negative. TBH, I wasn’t convinced so did a 2nd PCR a couple of days later and was still negative.

Hopefully it is just a head cold.

Personally I wouldn't test unless I had the 3 main symptoms. Otherwise I'd stress over every bout of cold or tonsillitis 😬

@AvaCallanach

I currently have covid masquerading as a severe head cold. That is just how it often presents in double vaccinated people.

DC3 currently has a head cold masquerading as Covid.

PCR x2 negative. Definitely not Covid. Just looks like it.

The three main symptoms are out of date for the delta variant. Runny nose and headaches are common symptoms.

@TheSkatesOfCoachBombay

I have an asthmatic/allergic child. I isolate and test him every time he has a significant symptom exacerbation (roughly once a month - runny nose with or without cough).

Yes, its a stress, yes it means I have to juggle wfh and childcare, but no, it's not worth him potentially infecting a dozen other kids at his childcare setting, some of whom are vulnerable.

I'm surprised really, at the cognitive dissonance - you obviously know there's a pandemic, and you know you should test if sympomatic, you clearly know the symptoms have been medically proven to have widened ... but you won't test unless the symptoms are one of the three outdated ones?

I dont get it, sorry.

[quote VaguelyInteresting]@TheSkatesOfCoachBombay

I have an asthmatic/allergic child. I isolate and test him every time he has a significant symptom exacerbation (roughly once a month - runny nose with or without cough).

Yes, its a stress, yes it means I have to juggle wfh and childcare, but no, it's not worth him potentially infecting a dozen other kids at his childcare setting, some of whom are vulnerable.

I'm surprised really, at the cognitive dissonance - you obviously know there's a pandemic, and you know you should test if sympomatic, you clearly know the symptoms have been medically proven to have widened ... but you won't test unless the symptoms are one of the three outdated ones?

I dont get it, sorry.[/quote]
VaaguelyIntersting the Welsh government will only PCR test you if you have one of the three main symptoms. It asks you at booking if you have one, if not, you aren't eligible for a test 🤷🏻‍♀️

VaguelyIntersting

And you can only get a lateral flow if you fall in to the below;

you are a volunteer

you cannot work from home

you are an unpaid carer

you are visiting Wales from elsewhere

you are travelling to other areas of the UK

your health board requires testing before hospital visits

you or your partner are using hospital maternity services

you are the parent, carer or guardian of a child in hospital

you are going to an event that requires it

None of which I do. I'm not lying to get a test. I must fit in to the correct catagory to get one. Having a head cold does not fit in to getting a test so I don't.

@TheSkatesOfCoachBombay

VaguelyIntersting

And you can only get a lateral flow if you fall in to the below;

you are a volunteer

you cannot work from home

you are an unpaid carer

you are visiting Wales from elsewhere

you are travelling to other areas of the UK

your health board requires testing before hospital visits

you or your partner are using hospital maternity services

you are the parent, carer or guardian of a child in hospital

you are going to an event that requires it

None of which I do. I'm not lying to get a test. I must fit in to the correct catagory to get one. Having a head cold does not fit in to getting a test so I don't.

Do you meant PCR?

Mean*

My kid had a sudden fever, lethargic etc 4/5 days into self isolation after a positive contact at nursery. Negative PCR. Coincidentally and surprisingly picked up another different virus. No-one else at home had symptoms of positive lateral flow either, but good to be able to test.

A head cold isn't a symptom. If lft was negative, why hqve you done a PCR? Sounds like you are looking for a positive test for some reason