How long to get a negative LFT after being Covid positive?

[Curlybrunette]

Hi, bit of a random question.

My dad (double jabbed) has just had a positive LFT. He's been ok-ish, felt 'a bit off' since last weekend, very slightly breathless, very slight cough, a bit more tired than usual.

He has done LFTs every day since last Saturday, negative until last night. He is retired so has just isolated at home rather than going for a PCR.

So as I said last night he got a positive LFT. He's in the frame of mind where as he's at home isolating anyway, he doesn't see the need for a PCR, he wouldn't go out and risk anyone (he's been really careful from the start of the pandemic) , and he's said he just won't go out again until he gets a negative LFT again.

This is where it's tricky, his symptoms started 8 days ago, so I thought 10 days isolation means he could go out on Wednesday. Is that correct, isolation is from day 1 of symptoms. Does not getting a positive LFT until much later change the timescale?

He's a quiet guy and has been so isolated in the last 18 months, he was just building the confidence to go out again and meet with his pals, I worry that the positive LFT could last for ages and he'll go back into his lonely self.

I do know the sensible thing is for him to just get a PCR but he's determined he doesn't want one (thinks it's a waste as he's staying in anyway and there's people that need the test more than him).

So, if anyone you have been positive, how long was it before you got a negative LFT.

Thank you

The problem is that without a PCR he's got no guideline for when to remove himself from isolation

From reading the .gov guidance it says isolation is for 10 days after symptoms started so that would be next Wednesday.

I'm more worried that his LFTs stay positive for ages and he never leaves the house again!

Yep, it's isolation from start of symptoms. My symptoms started on 20th August, didn't get my PCR until Friday 27th, but I am free to go about my business from Wednesday 1st September.

I believe the advice is not to do LFTs for 3 months after confirmed positive as you can still have evidence of the virus in your system which would cause a positive LFT.

Thank you.

I did wonder, I've heard PCRs can stay positive for ages but didn't know about LFTs.

I had a negative lft on day 8 and my dd day 5 but we still had to isolate for our 10 days so from when our symptoms started

LFTs are much less sensitive than PCRs. Every LFT I did when I had Covid was negative, even the one I did on the same day as my positive PCR. So I don't think it will be an issue.

I believe the advice is not to do LFTs for 3 months after confirmed positive as you can still have evidence of the virus in your system which would cause a positive LFT.

That's PCRs.

It's my I understanding that after positive covid test, lft can continue to show positive for up to 90 days afterwards.

Check with GP. He could do with a pcr test.

Technically, it's from when his symptoms start. But surely it's pretty obvious - if he's getting positive test results, whether LTR or PCR, he needs to continue to self isolate? If he got a positive PCR test, they would tell him to self isolate for 10 days from when the result came in. So I'm sorry, but he needs to stay home.

On plus side, DH's LFT was positive as was his PCR he then took later that day. His LFT's continued to test positive for a week and are now negative.

Exactly a week. Positive LFT on the Sunday, a negative the next Sunday. I did LFT'S throughout the week and they were getting fainter so I assume my viral load was less as the week went on.

The guidelines indicate that a PCR should be taken following a positive LFT. I reported my positive LFT and got track and trace telling me I needed to book a PCR which I did. They did take into account when my symptoms first started which was the day before.

I have only heard that a PCR shouldn't be taken within 3 months of having covid as that can show CT levels that indicate infection. A LFT really only picks up when someone has a higher viral load hence the issue with false negatives that have been reported.

I hope he continues with mild symptoms and gets back to normal quickly!

Wasn't there a guy in the news a while who tested positive for a year?

@hellcatspangle

I believe the advice is not to do LFTs for 3 months after confirmed positive as you can still have evidence of the virus in your system which would cause a positive LFT.

That's PCRs.

It is both LFTs and PCRs from what I've read.

At work we are told not to use LFT for 90 days as they can indeed stay positive. It seems the LFT is not as sensitive at picking up a positive. I would imagine 10 days from symptoms therefore would be ok for you dad.

Dd continued to LF herself every day though her isolation - through boredom of being stuck in a flat on her own more than anything else! As the week went on they got fainter and fainter until by about day 8 there was no line. They're really not that sensitive (that's why there is this fallacy floating around about them not being "accurate").
Your dad should count forward ten days from when he first felt poorly (14 if he wants to be extra-cautious to protect his friends and family) and then go about his business as usual.

This is an interesting indication of how LFTs can look as infection progresses.

Thanks everyone :-)

LFTs depend on the viral load. DD and her boyfriend were both positive for 7 days, then negative as they got better. She had been negative for a few days by the time she was out of isolation. It seems like they're not as sensitive as PCRs but can be a good indication of when you are most likely to transmit the virus.

My LFTs have been positive since the middle of May. All PCR negative, but my fingernails are now falling out and I have such exhaustion I just don't feel I can do much!

I tested today (day 11 since symptoms) on LFT and had a negative. Last tested on day 8 and was still positive)

What happens if you still test positive on LFTs after your 10 day isolation but don't have symptoms? Do you disregard it?

@GoldFrankensteinAndGrrr

This is an interesting indication of how LFTs can look as infection progresses.

@GoldFrankensteinAndGrrr I can't see that link-

Particularly interested as DS-in his 20's has had only one jab (was supposed to get second one when already poorly) and has had symptoms for a week. He has had 6 negative LFTs and awaiting results of PCR.

I know ppl got coughs and fevers pre covid but it does seem like he might have it.

Hopefully PCR results tomorrow!!

@mumsiedarlingrevolta ah it's not working for me either! Here's a screenshot instead (the positive was confirmed by PCR)

Mine was negative by day 11

@GoldFrankensteinAndGrrr

thanks so much-
very interesting. fingers crossed the negatives we've been getting are indeed negative!!

LFTs often don’t pick up the early stages of infection. It would be sensible for him to isolate from 10 days since having symptoms. If he did a PCR he would still only have to isolate from 10 days since start of symptoms (NHS would call and ask when his symptoms started and that’s when the clock would begin counting). So he is right in that he doesn’t really need a PCR, he should just isolate 10 days from symptoms and then as long as he doesn’t have any symptoms except a cough or loss of smell (as these can carry on even when you’re not contagious anymore), then he is fine to be released,