Can you take a pcr test too soon?

[worriedatthemoment]

Dh started feeling unwell last Friday , by Saturday he had a streaming cold and headache , and sat evening developed a slight cough and was having sweats but no temp, cough became a bit more regular and he began to feel a bit worse took a lvt which was negative, woke up sunday still feeling grotty and still had cough so went for pcr test, test came back negative.
He then was worse Monday cough became a bit worse too , Tuesday about the same and started feeling better weds and feeling better again today, just a slight headache as sinus a bit blocked. he took another lvt test at home tues which was also negative.
Im paranoid it is covid and that maybe the pcr missed it if he took too soon, as symptoms were slightly worse on monday although there on sat & sun as well.
He is going to take a lvt test again today before he goes out for a walk but is it possible to take a pcr slightly too early ?
We have family event on saturday and I am
Ultra paranoid incase covid has been missed.

Sounds just like a cold tbh. When DS had the sneezing/ runny nose symptoms his lateral flow and PCR were strong positive. With the Delta variant you're most infectious 2-5 days after contracting the virus, when symptoms (if any) are at their peak, which sounds like last weekend for your husband.
If he keeps testing negative on LfT he should be fine.

Thanks , just a friend put doubt in my mind

Sounds like it could just be another virus or a nasty cold. There is a lot going around. People I know were very poorly last week - whole household come down with fevers, aches, sore throat etc. All went off for a pcr test and not one tested positive so just another virus. My own Dd had a nasty cough a few weeks ago. I was convinced that her pcr would come back positive but it was negative.

Thanks think we will just keep him taking lvt tests , I know there not perfecf but best we have and all we can do, could go for another pcr but then that would be 6 /7 days after symptoms started
If he still has cold he will stay away anyway , we have all been keeping distance at home as none of us want it and been doing lvt tests which are clear as I have to do 2 a week for work anyway.
He is feeling loads better today , just makes you paranoid and I could book another PCR test but seems wasteful.

Yes, it is definitely possible.
My friend took a PCR with similar symptoms. Negative.
Did it again 3 days later. Positive.

Could he take another test just to be on the safe side, OP?

His symptoms sound exactly like mine and i was positive.

I guess he could although technically he now has no cough or high temp and never lost his sense of smell , so does he still fit the criteria, just done another lvt and that is negative

Could be RSV, there's a lot of that about.

Thing is we aren't isolating now the rest of us as test was negative and ds both out or at work, so would I need to call them home if he takes another pcr test

They have both just done a lvt this morning which was clear as we have been being doing them still as mixing at work etc

I tested negative on lateral flow, but was positive on PCR. During my 10 day isolation I never tested positive on lateral flow.

I did a PCR because DD had positive lateral flow and I felt unwell.

@Blueskythinking123 he did have a pcr test on sunday and that was negative
We just do lvt normally as part of mixing at work and I have to
We also all had pcr tests just over 2 weeks ago as ds2 had a sore throat and high temp and sneezing , which were all negative

@DontDrinkDontSmokeWhatDoIDo what stage did you take your pcr ? And did you ever do any lvt ?
Dh symptoms started fri though not 3 listed for covid as no temp or cough then ( well actually felt a little off on thurs just not write right)
Sat mild cough and sweats started though no temp on thermometer and exhustion
Took lvt test - negative
Sun - felt a little worse so took pcr sun morning as cough a little worse and sneezing came back negative
Mon- felt little worse
Tues- felt same _ took a lvt - negative
Weds - felt but better , barely any cough just little bunged up
Today - feels lot better, just headache due to sinus- lvt negative

Throughout all though he has had sweats never registered a temp on thermometer and never lost smell or taste even when sneezing and snotty

Dd has been poorly. Lots of negative lateral flows and a negative pcr.

There are lots of bugs around.

There are loads of bugs flying around right now. At work we are admitting more pneumonia's and chest infections than Covid right now.

[quote worriedatthemoment]@DontDrinkDontSmokeWhatDoIDo what stage did you take your pcr ? And did you ever do any lvt ?
Dh symptoms started fri though not 3 listed for covid as no temp or cough then ( well actually felt a little off on thurs just not write right)
Sat mild cough and sweats started though no temp on thermometer and exhustion
Took lvt test - negative
Sun - felt a little worse so took pcr sun morning as cough a little worse and sneezing came back negative
Mon- felt little worse
Tues- felt same _ took a lvt - negative
Weds - felt but better , barely any cough just little bunged up
Today - feels lot better, just headache due to sinus- lvt negative

Throughout all though he has had sweats never registered a temp on thermometer and never lost smell or taste even when sneezing and snotty

[/quote]

I had PCR test 6 days into symptoms - 4 days of negative lateral flows beforehand.

Is he vaccinated? I haven’t heard much about it but in theory that could affect the window in which you’d test positive by lowering the viral load to too little to be picked up only peaking for a short window.

I think I’d be tempted to do another PCR (presuming there was a fairly quick turn around for your results) but even with a negative I think it may be best for him to stay away from the event if he’s still symptomatic. If his symptoms have prompted him to test it’s only going to prompt anyone else to do the same if they catch it.

Obviously I’m saying that with minimal facts about your circumstances but in an ideal world I would reduce my contacts as much as practically possible for anything that mimicked covid symptoms to avoid passing on the stress of waiting for a test result.

@Cornettoninja yes fully vaccinated , no cough today just an occasional runny nose and a slight headache, cough minimal yesterday as well
Pcr may come back in time but who knows none available until tomorrow now as sites shut early here.
Dh has not been out since last friday as like you say no one else wants a cold etc either in these times and we have sd at home best as can as well to be on safe side, cleaned touched surfaces etc
Hoping by sat pm he has no symptoms at all of even a cold
All lvt have been clear and pcr was 3 days into symptoms starting

I think you’ve done everything that is required of you officially so it’s more reasonable enough of you to review his symptoms tomorrow. Most wouldn’t even do that after a negative result and wouldn’t be in the wrong for doing so.

Another test at this point would be for your own reassurance, your not obliged to without development of new symptoms or worsening. He’s getting better and you have a negative PCR. Waiting for symptoms to resolve is above and beyond. I think that’s a good thing if you’re able but equally I wouldn’t judge you for carrying on with life.