How soon after exposure can I take a PCR test?

[speakout]

I was exposed to covid yesterday- for several hours at close contact.
Should I take a PCR test today or do I need to wait another day?
How long does the virus take to show up?

Depends on how long the person has been positive that you were in contact with. I presume you didn’t know they were positive, so if they’ve got result after you saw the person, then they would be in the early contagious first 48 hours, so I would get a PCR test today and test daily with a LFT.

My understanding is that the optimum is to test 3-5 days after exposure. You can do earlier but it may not be as reliable.

I've just had covid. My 'symptoms' started on Monday night but lft and pcr weren't positive til Thursday.

Local guidance here has just changed sue to our high rates, now recommending isolation for 2-3 days following contact, then test and isolate until results.

If you are able I would isolate and wait a little while to be sure.

My 'symptoms' started on Monday night but lft and pcr weren't positive til Thursday.

That's interesting, what were your first symptoms? I had a sore throat for a couple of days so got a pcr test (I know it's not listed as a symptom but so many people seem to get it with the delta variant) it came back negative so I'm assuming it's a cold.

Bit of an odd question Does anyone know if I had a positive PCR from yesterday but go for another PCR today/ tomorrow to check will track and trace link the two?

If you've had a PCR recently you'll find you're unable to book another one for a week (unless symptomatic).

Thanks, NHS suggest testing 3-5 days after exposure, immediate testing is not usually accurate.

THe person I met yesterday didn't know she had covid, only started feeling unwell in the evening, took a lateral flow test last night which was positive.

My kids have had covid recently.
One had a positive lft. One had four neg lfts but due to exposure from sibling booked a pcr. That came back positive. Lfts only turned positive two days after pcr.

I had something similar recently. I had contact with someone on the Monday afternoon. That person then tested positive on a LFT that evening, asymptomatic. I was told very quickly. The person then had a PCR on the Tuesday, confirmed positive on Wednesday.

I was contacted by Track and Trace on the Thursday, told to do a PCR. Ordered a home test, which arrived Friday lunchtime. Did PCR straight away (so 4 full days after contact). Sent back straight away but didn't get the Negative result until Sunday pm.

So almost a week process. But I did reduce my contacts and I did do LFTs every day in that week and the following week.

Forgot to add - next time, I would order a home PCR straight away so that I could then do the test on day 3. So why not order a home test now so that you can do it Tuesday am?

THanks.

3-5 days after exposure is best but don't assume if negative that you won't get it.
My Bil just went down with it 11 days after being exposed to it by his daughter.

Has person taken a pcr? If you are vaccinated you only need pcr if that is positive.

The person has just had a PCR test this morning- no results yet. But she had a positive lateral flow test last night, and she has some symptoms.

Test and trace would recommend a test on day 2 and 8 after your exposure. I've seen a lot of people lately who have tested negative on day 2 and positive on day 8 so it might be worth doing both.
Then again I've seen households where some are positive and the others never caught it!

Thank you.

It is my daughter- she caught the virus at work we assume.
She had covid only 4 months ago and been double vaccinated- so a surprise.

Oh no, I hope if she does have it she's not to ill with it.

@Elsie97 they should be able to link them, although the system I use doesn't always link them automatically so the contact tracer wouldn't necessarily know to look for another test iyswim? Why did you go for another test?