Would you get a PCR?

[nanbread]

Was in contact with someone who tested positive for Covid but 3/4 days before they were symptomatic (so not asked to isolate). Did a PCR test 5/6 days after contact and it was negative. 9 days after contact I started to feel a bit foggy and tired, also had v mild stomach issues which have now passed (but think this might have been something I ate).

No other symptoms so officially I don't qualify for a PCR. Testing negative on lat flow. Should I get a test anyway, just for feeling a bit tired?!

After reading this I probably would, lots on negative LFT but positive PCR & I’ve seen pp on other threads posting the same.
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/coronavirus/4324058-LFTS-are-pretty-much-useless-with-Delta-arent-they

If I took a PCR every time I felt a bit tired or had some diarrhoea, I’d have been testing several times a week for most of my adult life. Look, I appreciate that some people are more cautious than others, and are very keen to be seen to be doing the correct thing; but we really have to start looking at the situation relatively. No, in your situation I wouldn’t test.

I felt fine but DH had been in contact with a positive case. We both did lateral flows-mine was negative his positive. We both went for pcr and were both positive so don’t trust the lateral flow

Thanks - yes I know LFTs aren't accurate and am sort of ignoring it tbh.

I suppose I'm thinking - is it potentially a waste of time, money and effort me having a test just for feeling tired, I don't meet the criteria for testing in any way. I've already done one PCR in the past week, where do you draw the line?!

I would do a lft. It's pretty accurate in my household.

Get tested, it’s quick and then you’d know.

@ComtesseDeSpair

If I took a PCR every time I felt a bit tired or had some diarrhoea, I’d have been testing several times a week for most of my adult life. Look, I appreciate that some people are more cautious than others, and are very keen to be seen to be doing the correct thing; but we really have to start looking at the situation relatively. No, in your situation I wouldn’t test.

I agree with this, I wouldn't test unless I had obvious symptoms or needed to protect someone vulnerable.

I would repeat the LFT.

Yes, they do sometimes give false negatives, but they are accurate more often than not. You won't get endless false negatives.

Not wanting to drip feed but I've run out of lateral flow tests and the nearest test centre for PCR is 27 miles away, so quite a trek.

I can pick up some more lateral flow tests tomorrow though. It hadn't occurred to me to do them repeatedly.

My stomach still isn't quite right and I'm still feeling low energy... No other symptoms.

I'm not sure why you would? For what reason? If you are ill then just stay away from other people so you don't make them ill.

@ComtesseDeSpair

If I took a PCR every time I felt a bit tired or had some diarrhoea, I’d have been testing several times a week for most of my adult life. Look, I appreciate that some people are more cautious than others, and are very keen to be seen to be doing the correct thing; but we really have to start looking at the situation relatively. No, in your situation I wouldn’t test.

I've often thought that when I've read posts on here. Feeling tired and having a dodgy stomach is usual for me as is coughing, runny nose and headaches!

Personally I wouldn’t, I’d get more lft and try another if I still felt ill tomorrow. If you start to feel a lot worse get one.

Maybe our local test centre was overwhelmed when we needed a test, but we were able to get tests posted to home.

The Delta symptoms seem very different to whatever it was we were dealing with last year.

Hope you feel better soon

No I wouldn't.

I think this whole testing / not testing thing is making people obsessive about the tiniest of symptom. It's getting silly now