Confused about testing!

[WTF0ver]

DH and I were away last week, back on Friday. He started feeling ill on Sunday - fever, cough and sore throat and spent hours in bed. Sunday night I prepared a lateral flow test for him but I messed up and didn't put his sample in properly so after the 30 mins had passed nothing had happened. I added 2 drops of sample then and it came back saying negative but I'm not sure if it was too late to show a proper reading or something?

Did another test last night. DH did it when I was in the bathroom so I didn't see him doing it but he showed me the result after 10 mins had passed - it was showing a faint positive result but he said it turned positive under a minute after he put the sample in! Would this be a correct positive result or is it possible something had been done wrong again? I also looked online and read that you shouldn't do the lateral flow test if you have symptoms? He could smell and taste fine but had the sore throat and cough and fever so not sure if this counts.

So I'm confused about all this. Also yesterday I had bad sinus pain, irritation and nose was running constantly and I couldn't stop sneezing. A bit like a head cold too. I assumed this was just sinus issues as I get them but DH said I should do a test too. I haven't done it yet but he's talking about going to an external testing centre to get one done.

What should we do? We're in Scotland. Thanks.

Lateral flows are supposed to be for no symptoms, they can show up on some people straight away if positive but if you have any symptoms you need a PCR test that gets sent away. You both need book a test and isolate until results

If you have any of the 3 main symptoms you need to do a PCR test not a lateral flow.

You sound like you both have Covid I'm afraid and need to get PCR tests asap. Hope you feel better soon

Take PCR tests. LFTs aren't accurate enough to rule out covid...why do people still not know this!?

LFTs are to pick up asymptomatic cases you wouldn't normally find. PCRs are for when you have symptoms

@HalfShrunkMoreToGo

If you have any of the 3 main symptoms you need to do a PCR test not a lateral flow.

This /\/\

I'm really surprised people still don't know this. It's been the case for over a year now.

You both need to book pcr tests as soon as possible and isolate until you get the results.

I'd checked out of a lot of the covid stuff because I was feeling overwhelmed and we've been careful not really going out.

Am assuming we'll need to self isolate and can't get a test at a testing centre, need to order one online? thanks

He needs to get a PCR test as he's had a cough and a fever. You technically don't according to the NHS page (not sure of Scotland guidelines so you might need to check them yourself) but I would if I were you just to rule covid out. Better safe than sorry.

I've got a chest infection at the minute that I was so sure was going to be covid but I had a test and it was negative. Similar symptoms to covid; cough, temperature, tight chest, difficulty breathing. I feel half dead 😷

Get well soon

@WTF0ver

I'd checked out of a lot of the covid stuff because I was feeling overwhelmed and we've been careful not really going out.

Am assuming we'll need to self isolate and can't get a test at a testing centre, need to order one online? thanks

You can go to a testing centre if you can get there safely, so drive there and back and not stopping anywhere else. Unless you're very ill and it would be dangerous to travel.

And yes, self isolate until your results are back.

Ok thanks, I can just book that online I think? And I'll request one for myself too.

Lateral flows were given out as freebies to sweep up asymptomatic cases because they’re not as sensitive.

It doesn’t mean you can’t use them with symptoms though, it just means you can’t rely on them.

If his has shown a positive then he should get a PCR and isolate. They can be posted quickly enough.

My DS had positive lateral flow and showed up immediately so that sounds right. I waited for 30 minutes to read it but stayed positive from the start.

We are waiting for PCR so don’t know final result yet.

As others have said, you both need a PCR test (lateral flow is for asymptomatic cases).
Book in to your nearest one online ASAP and isolate until you have results.
www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test

I'm booking his test but it's saying you can only add a second person if they have symptoms -

People you live with who do not have symptoms can only get a PCR test if they’ve been in contact with someone who’s tested positive for COVID-19, or they have been asked to get a PCR test. Ordering unnecessary tests is wasting NHS resources.

Not sure if I qualify with my sinus stuff?!

Your DH already had a positive lateral flow test, so you can assume he has Covid.

Book PCR tests for all of you. You have symptoms and you are a contact of someone who's tested positive.

Yes just book a pcr for you all. No one will arrest you 😂

Just book a pcr test for you both. I have a sore throat headache sinus paid and am awaiting pcr test to be delivered today i added it on to ds who only has a slight sniffle but isn’t allowed back to college until he has done a pcr test

Ok thanks for clarifying!

That's us booked, fingers crossed for neg result. Thanks everyone for your help.

So if you have symptoms then LFT's stop working - is this true? Don't they still work if you have symptoms as presumably there would be more virus for them to detect??

We are in the position of many positive LFT's - but they only showed a positive a couple of days after symptoms started. PCR was negative, but each LFT done since has been positive - now the line is getting paler each day.

Not been back for another PCR because it's a 30 minute drive away and about the last thing anyone fancies when they are ill.

Does anyone have any opinion on this?

We are in the position of many positive LFT's - but they only showed a positive a couple of days after symptoms started. PCR was negative, but each LFT done since has been positive

It might be worth starting a new thread to get some advice, but if you've had multiple positive LFT then i'd say it's highly likely that you have / had Covid.

@Whinge

We are in the position of many positive LFT's - but they only showed a positive a couple of days after symptoms started. PCR was negative, but each LFT done since has been positive

It might be worth starting a new thread to get some advice, but if you've had multiple positive LFT then i'd say it's highly likely that you have / had Covid.

Thank you for your reply, yes, that is what I assume.

@ArnoldtheAngryTapir

So if you have symptoms then LFT's stop working - is this true? Don't they still work if you have symptoms as presumably there would be more virus for them to detect??

We are in the position of many positive LFT's - but they only showed a positive a couple of days after symptoms started. PCR was negative, but each LFT done since has been positive - now the line is getting paler each day.

Not been back for another PCR because it's a 30 minute drive away and about the last thing anyone fancies when they are ill.

Does anyone have any opinion on this?

You should get a PCR test even if you are getting positive lateral flows because

• you can then get a covid official result of work need that for sick leave/WFH
• PCRs go through lab testing which includes gene typing the virus so that they know which variant is more prevalent and can spot if any new ones are popping up
• They can then notify any close contacts so that they can be tested to help stop transmission

The official symptoms list seriously needs to be updated. Delta is presenting as sore throat, headache, sneezing, feeling “off” and then only later fever, cough and sometimes lost of taste / smell.