Positive lat flow now negative pcr

[Okwotnext]

My eldest son has covid. Confirmed cases in school. He had symptoms took a pcr and it was positive. He’s isolating. Younger daughter had sniffles. We did a lateral flow. It was positive. However subsequent PCR is negative. What do I do now. We expected she’d get a positive PCR. In theory she can now go into school. It just seems wrong - what do we do now?

I'd keep her off today and ask the school what they want you to do.

Maybe do another PCR test?

If either a lat flow or PCR is positive it’s highly likely the person has Covid. False positives (unlike false negatives) are very rare.

I’d keep her off school.

Arrange another PCR

It's possible that the PCR swab didn't pick up enough cells - I'd get another PCR. I know a couple of people this has happened to over the last few months and they did test positive after doing another PCR.

Sympathies - all my kids have covid at the moment, 9yo started with it and passed it on to the others plus his Dad and Stepmother. I'm the only person who doesn't have it (yet! It can only be a matter of time as impossible for a five year old to isolate completely on her own).

LFT false positive are common from what I've heard. My hubby had a false positive (his PCR was negative and he had no symptoms, I was positive on both and had symptoms). A colleague also had a false positive and no symptoms.

@Trinacham False negatives are more common statistically than false negatives, I think.

@Okwotnext I imagine with "the sniffles" contamination of the test is more likely so, if it were me, I'd keep her home and rearrange testing. Remember to have her give her nose a good clear before testing.

We have had the same. Sent the pcr to school and did another LFD that was negative and DC will go back in today. They have been unwell but are on the mend now.

@Trinacham

LFT false positive are common from what I've heard. My hubby had a false positive (his PCR was negative and he had no symptoms, I was positive on both and had symptoms). A colleague also had a false positive and no symptoms.

Statistically it’s much more likely the negative PCR was a false negative than that the LFT was a false positive.

My husband had a weak positive LFT (no symptoms) and his PCR was negative. Did another LFT before returning to work and was negative as well, so think the first LFT was a false positive. It does happen, all subsequent tests have been negative.

She did another lateral flow this morning. It’s positive again. She has therefore done another PCR late this morning. Results due tomorrow so we’ll see! She is currently isolating as advised and just suffering from a headache. Lots better than yesterday. Older son still very lethargic and dizzy but again getting slightly better. All started Sunday night so hopefully they’re over the worst.

Second Pcr is negative. No symptoms now so plan to isolate over weekend and if no changes she’ll go to school on Monday

Not great the tests cannot be relied upon. Ds had covid on PCR and a hot beacon of an LFT. DS last night had a hot beacon of LFT though has only minor sniffles at present. DH had 2 negative LFTs but feeling like crap! Awaiting the PCR results thrum thrum