Void PCR test

[TraumatizedFlower]

MIL has received a void PCR test result. How? Did she not swab correctly?

It might have been spilled or contaminated at some point too.

Is it possible to fail the rest by not swabbing properly?

Test!

It usually means the swab didn’t collect a clear enough sample. She may not have swabbed properly or for long enough.

@TraumatizedFlower

Is it possible to fail the rest by not swabbing properly?

Yes. But it's not the only option.

What's to stop people not swabbing properly and getting a negative when their positive? Does the PCR test actually check for saliva/nose juice!

What's to stop people not swabbing properly and getting a negative when their positive? Does the PCR test actually check for saliva/nose juice! because if they dont swab properly they will get a void not a negative

We tried so hard but my ds 11 wouldn't allow me to help swab properly. Touched his tongue for one second max. Went nowhere near a nostril.
We didn't get a void. We got a negative.

@TraumatizedFlower

What's to stop people not swabbing properly and getting a negative when their positive? Does the PCR test actually check for saliva/nose juice!

The test will be void

We tried so hard but my ds 11 wouldn't allow me to help swab properly. Touched his tongue for one second max. Went nowhere near a nostril.
We didn't get a void. We got a negative.

Why did you send it off for testing when you knew the sample wasn't collected properly?

Why are you so convinced she didn't do it properly when people are giving suggestions? It sounds like you're trying to catch her out. Bit weird.

@Noshowwithoutpunch

We tried so hard but my ds 11 wouldn't allow me to help swab properly. Touched his tongue for one second max. Went nowhere near a nostril. We didn't get a void. We got a negative.

What was the point then? You know the result is invalid.

@Noshowwithoutpunch

We tried so hard but my ds 11 wouldn't allow me to help swab properly. Touched his tongue for one second max. Went nowhere near a nostril. We didn't get a void. We got a negative.

You must have got something.

@girlmom21

Why are you so convinced she didn't do it properly when people are giving suggestions? It sounds like you're trying to catch her out. Bit weird.

I'm just interested in what a void means. I think PCR tests are more accurate when a doctor/nurse takes the swab. Many people probably don't swab properly.

I think the people in the lab know what they're doing. Don't you?

There wasn't enough of what they wanted to test so void.

Maybe she didn't swab for long enough but you have a very weird reaction. Almost like you want to be all joyful she didn't swab properly.

@PrettyBlunt

I think the people in the lab know what they're doing. Don't you?

There wasn't enough of what they wanted to test so void.

Maybe she didn't swab for long enough but you have a very weird reaction. Almost like you want to be all joyful she didn't swab properly.

Weird? Because I ask what would cause a void result🤣.

I think you have an overactive imagination 🌸

@TraumatizedFlower I had a test done by a nurse before I could have my 20 week scan and I'm certain she didn't swab properly. She just did my cheeks and the inside of the opening to my nostrils.

We've just had one that said it was not possible to read it properly. Is that what you had ? I've been really worried about it as I only did it as happened to have pcr here and was seeing someone vulnerable. I didn't have time to retest as result came in as on way. Did 5x LF in days before all negative and two since. Hoping it's just a swab error.

@TraumatizedFlower

Is it possible to fail the rest by not swabbing properly?

Yes. Or it could have leaked or something like that.

I was told the absorbent pad they put in with the tube means they can test from that in case of leakage.

This was April 2020.
We'd taken ds to a&e on medical advice as he was having palpitations.
On checking him over we were told it was possible virus and to take him home and get a test as they were only testing people they were admitting and they didn't want to admit him.
Ds wasn't compliant with the test so we did what we could in terms of swabbing.
We called GP who said they were unable to personally assist and advised us to send the test anyway rather than dispose of it.
The test came back negative. Not void.

Sorry, above is in reply to girlmom22

My DH had a pcr return as void and it was done by a nurse at a test centre so not necessarily done any better than if you did it yourself. Subsequent pcr he did himself was negative

Been reading a bit and I think a void test is likely to be lab error/ contamination etc.

I still think a lot of people get a negative due to inadequate swabbing particularly in kids.

Any PCR lab technicians on mumsnet?