Should I get my daughter PCR tested for a cough when she had Covid 7 weeks ago?

[coffeepleeease]

Just that really. I'm unsure as I know a PCR can show positive for up to 90 days after having Covid. So could show positive but it not be Covid. She's come down with a cold which she usually gets a cough and / or high temp with so just getting prepared.

No

Also no, no need.

I thought you were instructed to not test again for 90 days?

@shouldistop

I thought you were instructed to not test again for 90 days?

I thought that was routine LFT, I wasn't sure about PCR for symptoms

Nah! Thought my dd had covid 2 weeks ago with similar symptoms ie high temperature and cough. Negative PCR. Now she defo has COVID. So much circulating!!

I wouldn't, no

We're in a similar position op. Our nine year old son tested positive for covid nearly 4 weeks ago . He slept during the day for a couple of days, bunged up nose, some coughing but not much. He lost his sense of taste, which is slowly coming back, and he was feeling better - just tired. Yesterday, he came home from school with a 'barking' cough, nose bunged up again and a low fever. Our younger son also came home with the same symptoms. The NHS website says don't test again within 90 days - however it also states 'unless they develop new symptoms' - so both had PCRs today.

But if you test and it comes back positive how do you possibly know whether it is a new infection or not?

@ArianaG

But if you test and it comes back positive how do you possibly know whether it is a new infection or not?

We won't that's the problem but unlikely after only 7 weeks

Similar with my 14 year old ds2. He caught it end of nov. Caught it again in may/june. A few weeks ago he started with blocked nose, slight cough. Did an LFT and negative but still wondered if he'd caught it again...

@ArianaG

But if you test and it comes back positive how do you possibly know whether it is a new infection or not?

Our PCR results came back this morning. Negative thank goodness. Our eldest who had a positive 4 weeks ago is now negative. His new symptoms must be a cold/mild flu. We're glad we now know that he hasn't somehow contracted covid again and that it is now out of his system. He's asthmatic and cv and I'm cev so it's reassuring to know not covid. There was always the risk that his would have been positive again and we wouldn't have known whether it was just residual virus shedding or a new infection, but for us the risk of doing the PCR was worth it.

*I mean if it had been positive

So what happens in this scenario:

Child has Covid. 5 weeks later they start coughing again. They don’t test again and carry on as normal because it’s within the 90 days since the last positive test….but what if it isa new virus and they’re still going to school?

It’s quite worrying.

And what about in the scenario where has a child has Covid, gets symptoms 8 weeks later but doesn’t test as it’s within the 90 days….are these children still supposed to isolate for ten days just in case it is a new virus?! Or are they allowed to keep going to school and it’s a case of just hoping for the best?

You aren't supposed to take another PCR within 90 days of a positive result, because of the likelihood of a false positive. HTH.

@SpringheelJack

You aren't supposed to take another PCR within 90 days of a positive result, because of the likelihood of a false positive. HTH.

Unless new symptoms develop.

No - you are not supposed to do a PCR test for 90 days after COVID

Anyone who has previously received a positive COVID-19 PCR test result should not be re-tested within 90 days of that test, unless they develop any new symptoms of Covid. 19.www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

Thanks for replies everyone!