Strong Positive lateral tests and symptoms but negative PCR

[MsMeNz]

As the title be says really, I've heard from there seems to be a worrying increase in this. DH1 wasn't feeling well but off, tired, n dizzy etc last weekend after two days did a lateral and then PCR all negative.
I'm double jabbed but had a head that lasted all week and I don't uselly get them a bit off food and a slight tickle in through and a tad of fatigue. Negative tests also. So I assume must be done other bug.
Then 3 days ago son two complains of feeling bit tired, then next day dizziness after school looks flushed and a little warm to touch, I thought I will do a lateral flow test and it was positive.
So book PCR test but that came back negative, did another lateral and still a strong positive.

So either 3 out of 5 of us (suspect husband may be getting it in last few hours) has had it this week but PCRs not picked it up for some reason. What is with that? Anyone else have similar experiences?

School has said to send him back but I'm not comfortable being 99 percent sure he has it. (From what I read a false positive especially multiple is very rare for laterals and to be clear he had not had any good or drink hour or so before tests)

Personally I think if you get a positive on a lateral flow then surely there must be some level of covid in order for it come up at all. Friend’s child recently had positive LFT but negative PCR so sent child back to school despite child having same symptoms as various other local children who tested positive on PCR. They’re following guidelines so they’re not in the wrong but it does feel totally ridiculous.

Yes I've had similar with a family member. Did a lot of reading and a false positive lateral flow is rare, so multiple positive lateral flow is definitely going to be positive (lateral flow does give false negatives though).

I assumed there was a fuck up at the PCR end. Either with the test, the method or the lab. Got a second pcr which was positive.

Could samples degrade in the time it takes to process?
s lft is immediate.
Or it sounds like people have non standard symptoms so?

One area did have a very strange drop in cases it all went green now back up again.
Plus one msoa went to say 11 yet i knew of 2 school cases.
I wouldn't be surprised at gov supressing the data.

Although the lft arent great either so who knows.

I think if you’re getting symptoms, even after getting a negative PCR that isolation should happen.

Happening loads in our area and there are a couple of threads on this. Get a second PCR. I just urged my colleague to after three positive LFTs and a negative PCR and her second has come back positive (surprise surprise)

Yep happened to us and another kid we know, and seemingly from threads on here it's happening a lot across the U.K.
I don't understand what's happening, I sent DS back to school after pcr and did another LFT which was negative.

Yes one of my DC had multiple positive LFTs over several days but all PCRs were negative. No symptoms at any point. I've heard of lots of people at our school getting the same. We kept her at home as a precaution anyway and did daily LFTs for the rest of us.

I would def keep off. Just tell school he’s not well enough to be in. It must be possible on a pcr just to not pick up enough sample?

I think one false positive could happen but multiple false positives very unlikely

@Lanique

Happening loads in our area and there are a couple of threads on this. Get a second PCR. I just urged my colleague to after three positive LFTs and a negative PCR and her second has come back positive (surprise surprise)

I'm in a similar situation. I know of several children with the same symptoms all testing positive on multiple LFT, but then only around 50% testing positive on PCR. I really think something is going on with the PCR tests.

Same here. It's really confusing. Get a 2nd PCR a few days later. DH had 3 positive lfts and symptoms but a negative PCR. Then he lost his sense of smell and got another PCR which was positive. I don't know how we're supposed to keep up!

This was our experience (have posted about it on other threads), but eventually DS did get a positive PCR on the second attempt. The possibility of a false negative PCR is much, much higher than the possibility of a false positive LFT, so it’s extremely frustrating that the current guidance allows the positive LFT result to be overturned by a negative PCR. At least three of DS’s school friends went back to school following their negative PCR, which is exactly what they are advised to do - no wonder it’s spreading like wildfire now!!

I tested positive on a PCR back in March (with symptoms). I'd had symptoms for four days by that point, and had had a negative PCR on day 2. I think you should get a second PCR.

Quite easy for there to be a mistake at a lab they are processes thousands of the things.

I would do another one or just assume positive and act accordingly.

I am having the same with my daughter over the past 5 days she has had 11 positive LFT (all different batches) and 2 negative PCR. I received the 2nd negative PCR result yesterday and this morning she is still testing positive on the LFT, Hardly any symptoms apart from lethargic and headaches. I am unsure what to do with regards to the guidelines

This is ridiculous. We've had this locally too. Has anyone asked the Zoe app bloke about this?

I’ve had 4 positive LFT’s since Friday. One negative PCR so I called the NHS line who told me they think the PCR is wrong! I’m waiting for my second result. DH & DS have tested negative (I’m the only one with symptoms) so I’m thinking maybe I have another cold/bug that shows up on LFT’s?

I just came on to post about this! DS tested positive last Monday (PCR). I had a PCR on Tuesday - negative. I've been doing LFTs every day. I got a weak positive on Friday, repeated it and positive again. So I had a PCR on Friday - negative.

I then did a LFT yesterday and another today - Both positive. So that's 4 out of 4 LFTs in 3 days positive. I went for another PCR today. But I can't keep going for PCRs constantly and don't know whether to isolate. I've got a bit of a snotty nose and sore throat but not even enough to warrant taking paracetamol.

Same here, and in hospital others shared same experience in last fortnight.

DS:
2 LFT strongly +, then 2 PCR negative. He was sniffly. 119 insisted we send him to school. 1/3 of his classmates are PCR + so it's highly likely he is + too

DH:
2 LFT strongly +, but 3 PCR negative over last few days. Full Covid symptoms.

Given that I have PCR confirmed Covid and am ill with it, and 1/3 of DS classmates are positive, it seems bonkers to take the 119 advice and assume DS and DH are negative.

And there are multiple other examples this week from DS' class alone - all + LFT then coming back - on PCR. Some of them later turn to + PCR and there are a LOT of + PCR cases in the school. It seems safest to assume that the LFTs are picking up + cases. But 119 is instructing us to ignore repeated + LFTs.

I think something is up with the PCR tests or the cynic in me would think they have been 'tuned down'. COVID is ripping through our local schools. many are off with this flu but negative PCR. There are many members of staff and children I am aware of who are symptomatic, strong repeated LTF but negative PCR.

It feels like the PCR has been toned down to hide the true rate or there is a major issue somewhere. This is happening too much.

My other son is now pretty unwell with a big fat positive on the lateral.

The son who was infected first today felt much better and tested negative so that is good.

I guess we'll have to go through another PCR testing round now eldest son as symptoms and positive lateral.

Just to add yes I'm not much for conspiracy theories but it does seem odd so many ppl experiencing this this last week or so in this general age group.

I guess good to get immunity for winter. Just selfishly hope myself and husband don't get very unwell despite being both double jabbed 🤞 so weird all this worry for 18 months or so and it's finally here for us. Almost surreal.

So I spoke to the NHS Covid helpline and when I explained the situation she didn’t seem surprised. I was told to ignore the PCR results and go by the LFT as my daughter has had so many positives and was told that she needs to continue to isolate. I asked if I should arrange another PCR and they told me no follow the LFT, it makes you wonder if they know something we don’t regarding the testing

I’ve just had a second negative PCR, so I’m thinking the positive LFT’s might be showing up because I do have a cold and it might be similar to Covid???

@GruntBaby

And there are multiple other examples this week from DS' class alone - all + LFT then coming back - on PCR. Some of them later turn to + PCR and there are a LOT of + PCR cases in the school. It seems safest to assume that the LFTs are picking up + cases. But 119 is instructing us to ignore repeated + LFTs.

This seems similar to my experience. All those who are getting LFT positives have the same symptoms, yet only 50% are showing as PCR+ I don't think any have retested with PCR tests if they have a negative one, but it would be interesting to see if any PCR- turn into PCR+