Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Would you take a PCR test for this?

56 replies

jendifer · 26/08/2021 08:15

Woke up Tuesday with a blocked up nose. It developed in to a lot of sneezing and runny nose. Took an LFT - negative.
Didn’t sleep much Tuesday night and felt rotten Wednesday - cold, tired, achey and still sneezing a lot. Temperature, smell/taste all normal. Took an LFT - negative.
Woke up in the night coughing a little, but that is often something that happens when I have a cold. Negative LFT this morning.

It feels like a cold, BUT I’m meant to be at a festival over the weekend and away with work next week. Would you take a PCR because of this or just trust that it is a cold? I’m double jabbed and haven’t heard from anyone I’ve seen that they’ve tested positive.
DH has been tired and sneezey but again, LFTs all negative for him.

OP posts:
Angrymum22 · 26/08/2021 22:15

DS had cold symptoms the day he came back from Boardmasters. The first LTF was faint positive the day after very positive.
I am trained to do LFTs so it may be that LFTs are not being done correctly. You have to put the swab a long way back in your nose until it pretty much touches the back of your throat. Waving around in your nostril is a waste of time. You need to count to ten, while twirling it around. It should make you sneeze.
When you put the swab in the small test tube squeeze and squash the end between your finger and thumb so the fluid covers the full length of the swab and swirl it around for at least ten seconds.

worriedatthemoment · 26/08/2021 22:19

@Angrymum22 hopefully my ds did do it right then as he sneezed as soon as took out swab and normally always makes my two sneeze when they do them.
These new test kits are just nasal up both nostrils and no throat

Woolver23 · 26/08/2021 22:45

Yes I would do a PCR - because then you won't be worrying about it and feeling obliged to take endless LFTs.
Also if it is just a cold, you'll have confidence in being able to reassure your friends when you see them at the weekend.

ApplesAreTheBaneOfMyLife · 26/08/2021 22:50

Yes

Angrymum22 · 26/08/2021 23:18

Basically most of the swab handle needs to disappear up the nose. I have been doing them almost daily for work and they rarely cause discomfort now. In fact we tend to stand chatting while we are doing them. The nasal ones are far easier. It wasn’t so pleasant watching everyone wrenching!

Waxonwaxoff0 · 27/08/2021 05:59

@ChickpeaCrunch

If you test too early with PCR it might not catch it? Or does it?
From what I read symptoms start about 3 days on average after catching it so if you have symptoms it's not too early to test.
bumblejee · 27/08/2021 06:37

I've got Covid at the moment, double jabbed. Started with a bunged up nose & sneezing & very tired. None of the classic symtoms, tested positive on pcr on day 3.

LindaEllen · 27/08/2021 07:10

@Siameasy

I’ve got Covid at the moment and it is nothing like a cold. No temp no cough no snot. DD and DH have got classic cold symptoms have done many tests of both types - all negative. DMIL has the same thing. We think there’s a cold going round. Poor DH feels miles worse than me but still has to go to work while I’m sitting at home feeling ok! So what I’m saying is hopefully you just have a cold as they’re still out there!
..and on the other hand, when I had covid it was exactly like a cold. So your anecdotal experience doesn't really mean much, does it?
worriedatthemoment · 27/08/2021 07:41

@Angrymum22 what if blood gets on swab? Tried doing lvr this morning as have to do twice weekly for work and blood on swab ( tried 3 times) so just used one in the end , can this make results in valid or give false positive do you know ?

worriedatthemoment · 27/08/2021 11:42

Op have you booked a pcr ?

worriedatthemoment · 27/08/2021 11:43

Debating wether to get ds one he just has runny nose at moment and lvt negative yesterday and today. So doesn't qualify as per rules

GreenTortoise · 27/08/2021 11:45

I would. I came into contact with someone Monday briefly and they tested positive on Wednesday but had a positive LFT on the Tuesday. I had a PCR done yesterday and hopefully will get the results today! 🤞🏼

lljkk · 27/08/2021 11:54

No. I wouldn't get a PCR test. We aren't supposed to make up our own rules about when to take a PCR test.

zaffa · 27/08/2021 11:55

So I tested positive on three lateral flows (on consecutive days) from one batch and negative from two consecutive LFT from a different batch (currently awaiting PCR results). One set of those tests are wrong for definite; so I wouldn't trust LFT results that much

Waxonwaxoff0 · 27/08/2021 15:25

@lljkk

No. I wouldn't get a PCR test. We aren't supposed to make up our own rules about when to take a PCR test.
It's better to get one than potentially spread Covid around.
worriedatthemoment · 27/08/2021 15:27

@Waxonwaxoff0 thats what I am thinking he has one and stays home until result , the rest of us don't have to isolate but have all done lateral flow tests to be sure and will be limiting our contacts , our local test centre seems to have a lot available later today

rosy71 · 27/08/2021 15:29

Yes. Sounds like the symptoms people are getting now.

Speckledy · 27/08/2021 15:30

Yes, I would and did take a PCR this week with very similar symptoms and the Zoe app also said I should. It was negative as were two LFTs so whatever I have is just some other crappy virus but it's knocked me out.

worriedatthemoment · 29/08/2021 12:17

Ds1 had pcr which was negative , still has runny nose , no of her symptoms developed, but hes stayed in anyway so as not go give anyone a cold
Now ds2 has developed same runny nose
, he has allergies though and hayfever so not as unusual for him

actiongirl1978 · 29/08/2021 13:32

I got a cold 5 days after my initial symptoms of nausea and vertigo. Swiftly followed by sore glands, anosmia and generally feeling woozy.

I had a PCR after the first symptoms (which were 4 days after DD tested positive with nausea) but it was clear. Second test was on day 7 and positive.

worriedatthemoment · 29/08/2021 14:30

@actiongirl1978 are you incl nausea etc s symptoms? Did track and trace tell you count from then

actiongirl1978 · 29/08/2021 15:28

Yes I count the nausea - it was the exact symptom that gave DD a positive test the same day. I woke up three nights in a row feeling like the bed was moving and I was going to throw up. I only felt like that with morning sickness before.

I didn't speak to test and trace, I filled in the online questionnaire and that's it. I have been at home with my DD and already done one for her so everything covered.

I did speak to my GP who called me after my positive test as I have asthma, he said that nausea and vertigo were often early symptoms and that the government should change the categories for testing.

actiongirl1978 · 29/08/2021 15:38

One more random symptom - I'm starving all day. I can't properly taste anything but I have a massive appetite. Mainly for toast and marmalade but also I'm eating loads of eggs and craving protein.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 29/08/2021 16:03

@actiongirl1978

One more random symptom - I'm starving all day. I can't properly taste anything but I have a massive appetite. Mainly for toast and marmalade but also I'm eating loads of eggs and craving protein.
I had a huge appetite too despite losing my sense of taste. I'd hoped that I might lose some weight but no Hmm
Original poster
jendifer · 29/08/2021 16:04

Just wanted to update and say that the PCR came back negative.

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread