Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Confused about testing!

46 replies

WTF0ver · 21/09/2021 08:34

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.

OP posts:
FeatheredHope · 21/09/2021 11:25

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

This. Other countries updated it a LONG time ago and I know that short U.K. list of “official” symptoms is putting people off getting tested. The USA’s CDC list is far better www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html

crazyguineapiglady · 21/09/2021 11:59

@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?

LFTs do work with symptoms, but they are generally not as sensitive as PCR tests and need quite a high viral load.

If you have had several positive tests then it's pretty sure you have covid, unless you are accidentally contaminating your sample.

You don't have to drive anywhere for a PCR - you can have them posted to you.

dementedpixie · 21/09/2021 12:14

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??

No they don't stop working but they aren't as sensitive as PCR so if you have symptoms they can't be used to rule it out as they have a high false negative rate.

They are actually more effective when you have symptoms but still not accurate enough.

Tommika · 21/09/2021 12:58

The lateral flow tests are cheaper and less sensitive, as a result there is a higher rate of false negatives. The intent of free routine LFTs is to assist with catching cases earlier.

If you have symptoms or have interacted with potential positive cases then you can use a LFT but may get a false negative.
If you have symptoms etc then you should take a PCR

For every LFT I have taken the negative result has come up quite quickly, but the ‘official’ result is to be read during the specified time window - between 15 & 30 minutes on the current generation of nostril tests and at the 30 minute point for the original throat & nostril tests.

Original poster
WTF0ver · 22/09/2021 13:16

Test results just back. DH positive, me negative! Now I'm wondering if I didn't do it right! I feel ok had slight body aches and slight cold type symptoms last night but nothing bad.

Been told I can just return to normality if I have a negative result, feels weird though when DH has to self isolate!

OP posts:
Kaley3043 · 22/09/2021 13:21

Simple answer - pcr test.

Kaley3043 · 22/09/2021 13:21

Just seen updated. Speedy recoveries 💕

Original poster
WTF0ver · 22/09/2021 13:50

It was PCR tests we did yesterday, but got different results so am a bit weirded out and not sure what to do.

OP posts:
Tinydancer321 · 22/09/2021 14:10

Seems weird how she is positive and your negative with symptoms.
Personally I don’t agree with the governments idea of households not isolating together. Makes the point of isolating pointless. Pcr only test positive at certain times. So I suppose you could test again however on paper your free to carry on. 🤷🏼‍♀️

respecttheforum · 22/09/2021 14:14

I would test again and still isolate but then I'd be isolating if anyone in my home tested positive. I know you don't have to but that's ridiculous.

HipHopBanzai · 22/09/2021 14:14

Sorry to hear about your DH.

Just book another test tomorrow. You'll be encouraged to do so as one of his close contacts anyway.

crazyguineapiglady · 22/09/2021 14:18

Even PCRs have quite a high false negative rate (maybe 30% whereas the LFT can be up to 50%) - so the fact that you have symptoms and are a close contact of some positive suggests that the negative PCR isn't accurate.

Original poster
WTF0ver · 22/09/2021 14:49

I'll do another test and see what it says.

OP posts:
Original poster
WTF0ver · 23/09/2021 09:46

Did another lateral flow this morning, negative again. I had a good rummage too.

I've got a fitness event booked for tomorrow night, it's outdoors and we'll be socially distanced, wondering if I should still go.

OP posts:
Sarcobaleno · 23/09/2021 09:53

I wouldn't go. Obviously the rules are you are allowed to and yes, understandable that people go to work etc but something that isn't necessary would get binned if it was me.

Original poster
WTF0ver · 23/09/2021 10:00

Yeah thats true. I'm wondering if I'll get my money back or can transfer to a future event. I'm still feeling a bit off tbh, slight headache and bit lethargic so might not have the energy regardless.

OP posts:
Sarcobaleno · 23/09/2021 10:08

To be honest I would be really unimpressed if I attended an event with someone who lived with a positive case and "felt a bit off" even if it's outside. Hope you feel better soon

Original poster
WTF0ver · 23/09/2021 10:15

So would I! Cancelling it. Hoping they do another one sometime, bloody Covid.

OP posts:
VanCleefArpels · 23/09/2021 12:46

Did another lateral flow this morning, negative again. I had a good rummage too.

Lateral flow tests are not suitable for those with symptoms!!

Original poster
WTF0ver · 23/09/2021 13:12

Hmm my husband got a positive result from his and that's why we got PCR tests done.

Should I request another PCR test when I just did one 2 days ago and we got our results yesterday?

OP posts:
Original poster
WTF0ver · 23/09/2021 13:14

Also I don't have any symptoms. I was feeling a little lethargic today that's it.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page