Feel really guilty

[Listener2021]

DM(88) was coming to stay for a few days tomorrow. we were all looking forward to it. But dd and I have really horrible colds and I've cancelled. LTF tests negative, done 3 now.
Dm says she never catches colds and hasn't had one for years but I don't want to risk giving her this.
what would you do?

We had DS tested today as he has developed a cough. Runny and blocked nose before that but can't be too sure. Touchwood I think it's a cold but you never know now!

@hahaboink
Are you saying that if you're positive and you have symptoms, if you do a LFT it will be negative?

Because that's not true. I had covid and I had symptoms and all my LFTs were positive (I did a PCR too

I said a negative LFT when you have any covid symptoms doesn't mean you don't have covid. Upon bringing fil to gp with a sore throat we were informed by the GP that he needed a PCR test. The GP said the LFT can be incorrect when you have any symptoms , we had done 2 LFT with fil both negative, he had a PCR and he is positive for covid.

I'm not saying this is the case for everyone. I'm relaying back what fil GP told us.

Definitely get a PCR test for you and your daughter, OP!!

With regards to your mum, I wouldn't feel guilty. Everyone's going on about how she's 88 and can decide for herself, but you're also an adult and you can decide what you feel comfortable doing. Whether that's because you don't feel like hosting whilst your ill, or if it is purely because you don't want to take on the risk to your mum, it's absolutely your choice.

You can reschedule once you're all well

I would get a PCR and let her come if it's negative.

You legally can't have her if it is Covid (And loads of vaxxed ppl only have cold symptoms, not official ones.) But if it isn't Covid she can decide for herself whether she wants to risk a cold. Which I imagine most ppl would, colds aren't dangerous or something to not see your family for. Covid obviously is!

Thanks, I will get PCR. Pretty sure it will be negative. Will suggest dd does too, but she's an adult, can't make her.

Sorry to say dd will be at uni if we postpone but that's how it is. I am always juggling people and times and seldom get it right.

DM does decide and take on a few risks that I would prefer she didn't, eg. long distance driving, but like people say, it's her choice. I just didn't want to give her a rotten cold.

Why do you feel guilty? You're ill, you don't want to make her ill, it's sensible to postpone this visit. I wouldn't visit my grandmother if I were ill!

And if you have a cough you need a PCR. Lateral flows aren't sensitive enough to rule out Covid if you have symtoms, they're only meant for monitoring the population and picking up the odd truly asymptomatic case.

I had multiple negative LFT with cold symptoms but positive PCR and have been really quite ill for almost two weeks.

My grandson tested positive last Sunday , he lives with us , husband and me got tested the next day , his positive, mine negative
I started with sore throat Wednesday night , slight cough started next day , PCR Friday morning , positive result
My lateral flows all negative until yesterday evening, with a very faint line
I don’t think you can go off lateral flow results, if you have any symptoms get PCR ASAP

I wouldn’t feel guilty at all. Even pre Covid I would steer clear of my grandmother if I had a cold. I think it’s a sensible thing to do

This surely is the most sensible reply on this thread.