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Confused about symptoms and tests and transmission

5 replies

40somethingJBJ · 27/09/2021 17:30

On Wednesday last week, I tested positive on a LF test. I do one of these each week as standard before going to a group on Thursday morning. I had none of the classic symptoms, but did have a bit of a sore throat and a runny nose. I ordered a PCR which arrived Thursday, and was sent straight back.

By Friday, I had a cough and a temperature, so I was convinced my PCR would be positive. My partner, who I’d spent the entire previous weekend with, was also ill with a cough and temperature, plus he lost his sense of smell, so he tested too. I also did a PCR on 15yo ds, as he’s been a close contact of 3 positive cases at school, and seemed the most likely source of infection, although he had no symptoms and his LF was negative.

Test results are back - ds negative, me negative and dp is positive, but his daughter, who he lives with, is negative.

Just really confused about how I’ve a) managed to get a negative PCR after a positive LF and with all the same symptoms as he has, and b) not caught it off him. It seems a bit of a coincidence if I’ve contracted another random bug at exactly the same time he’s contracted Covid, and exhibiting the same symptoms, and I’m dubious whether I believe the test results!

Is it more likely that I got a false positive on the LF or a false negative on the PCR, does anyone know? I just don’t want to be sharing the germs if I am actually infected, as I give a lift to an elderly lady on a Thursday and I’d never forgive myself if I made her ill.

OP posts:
Reallybadidea · 27/09/2021 17:34

There's been quite a lot of people reporting negative PCRs after a positive lateral flow. It's perfectly possible to get a false negative Pcr. Especially seeing as you have symptoms. Personally I would do another PCR and isolate in the meantime.

BlackInk · 27/09/2021 17:37

False negatives (on both LFTs and PCRs) are far more common than false positives. I think you should do another PCR I'm afraid, especially as you now have classic symptoms. Make sure you swab very thoroughly! With PCRs the fail rate is around 30% so they're not infallible.

40somethingJBJ · 27/09/2021 17:38

Yeah I’m going to continue isolating anyway, as I’d hate to give it to anyone else. Took 4 days to get my PCR results back last time, so I’m kind of reluctant to do another one, as I’ll be out of the isolation period by the time it comes through I would imagine!

OP posts:
tumpymummy · 27/09/2021 17:43

Dont do a postal PCR they take ages to come back. Much quicker to go to a test centre.

40somethingJBJ · 27/09/2021 17:59

@tumpymummy

Dont do a postal PCR they take ages to come back. Much quicker to go to a test centre.
I can’t at the minute as I need bloody fuel and nowhere has any!
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