Do I need LFT or PCR? I'm so confused!

[FTM8987]

I've just posted something similar to this on another forum, but thought this might be the best place for it!

I’ve come down with a horrible cold, streaming nose and sore throat, the first I’ve had in 3 years - and am feeling rotten.

I did a lateral flow test earlier and it was negative - my temperature was also normal.

Someone suggested that I should get a PCR test, but when I filled in the form on the gov.uk site, it said I wasn't eligible, because I don't have a continuous cough, loss of taste/smell or a temp.

So what should I do - is a LFT enough in my situation or do I need a PCR? And if the latter, should I just lie and pretend I have those symptoms on the gov.uk site, even though I actually don't?

Thanks!!

There's no way of telling if it's a cold or covid without a PCR. The new symptoms are very similar to a bad cold. You've done the right thing.

I think you've done the right thing. LFTs are not that accurate, I did one and it was negative but the PCR I did on the same day was positive. My first symptoms were a blocked nose and sneezing. I lied to get a PCR, good thing I did because I did have Covid. If it's negative at least you've ruled it out.

Good luck op. I’ve been in exactly your situation and was frustrated/confused that the PCr ordering site hadn’t updated the symptoms checklist. For 6mknths (or so) we’ve been told the classic three are no longer the sole or even main symptoms of the delta variant. In the end after confusion I ‘lied’ because I had significant change in taste (everything tasting if pencil lead fit a few days) and bad headache (no fever). PCr in my case was negative but no way was I going to ignore it and potentially spread Covid to others.
Good luck.

There are loads of coughs and colds around this is true. However I’d get tested to rule covid out rather than assume. So many vaccinated people I know had headache/cold/sore throats well before any traditional symptoms.
The governments three symptoms are out of date.

I do wonder if this is why cases are documented stable and how many people with a cold/sore throat and cough haven’t bothered testing because not traditional symptoms but actually have covid. Or they trust LFTS too much.

I was exactly the same op. My symptoms were a bad cold. I took a LFT which came back negative. My dd then got a positive PCR, so I took one at the same time as her. Mine came back positive too.

Hope you're feeling better soon op

I've woken up feeling worse than yesterday. Pretty sure it is just a cold but how do you know without doing a PCR if the symptoms are the same?

@Washeduponthebeach

Well she thought she must be negative since it kept coming up as negative.

But surely if you have the classic symptoms of covid, you know to get a PCR?

Ie got a scratchy throat and wheezy chest. Lft negative but I'm going to take today off (teacher) and go to the walk in centre near me for a test. I'm double jabbed so may not need to SI but seems sensible for a day or so.

oh no, do you think I should have just stuck with the LFT results? I have a lot of stuff planned for this week and am upset that I now need to put it all on hold when I don’t even have any of the symptoms listed on the gov.uk site!!
Then I wouldn't have asked the question if you're not going to like the answer!

oh no, do you think I should have just stuck with the LFT results? I have a lot of stuff planned for this week and am upset that I now need to put it all on hold when I don’t even have any of the symptoms listed on the gov.uk site!!

It's up to you. I personally would have lied, got tested and isolated until I got the result. But I understand why others wouldn't. If you don't have any symptoms on the list then the government don't expect you to do a test so you are free to carry on as you wish.

@ladymuck111

I've woken up feeling worse than yesterday. Pretty sure it is just a cold but how do you know without doing a PCR if the symptoms are the same?

You don't. That's why their list of symptoms is shit.

It has been reported that lots of people are getting PCR tests when common sense should tell them it is a nasty cold and it all costs to the NHS, the economy with people isolating, prolonging the 'fear', - are people really being that compliant?

Enough is enough - by all means if the cold is 'nasty' take a few days off and dose up.

Their list is shit. It's so frustrating not knowing what to do. Treat as a cold and carry on with normal life or get tested properly for covid

I agree @ladymuck111. I feel I should get a PCR as I’m now worried there’s a slim chance it could be Covid, and I would feel very guilty if I passed it onto someone else. I’ll be frustrated if it’s only a cold and I’ve disrupted my plans for nothing though (but also relieved it’s not Covid I suppose).

Also I read the LFTs have about 95% accuracy, although the anecdotes from posters above (negative LFT then positive PCR) are a bit concerning!

If I applied for the PCR yesterday I assume it won’t arrive until Tuesday?

@bunnybuggs

It has been reported that lots of people are getting PCR tests when common sense should tell them it is a nasty cold and it all costs to the NHS, the economy with people isolating, prolonging the 'fear', - are people really being that compliant?

Enough is enough - by all means if the cold is 'nasty' take a few days off and dose up.

But it's not always a cold. In my case it was Covid. You don't know unless you get a test.

This is what worries me. I'm passing it off as a cold and going about as normal but it quite possibly might not be going by other posters

Also I read the LFTs have about 95% accuracy, although the anecdotes from posters above (negative LFT then positive PCR) are a bit concerning!

LTS are for when you do not have symptoms, so when you feel completely fine!
They are for catching people with virus who do not know they have the virus.
If you feel unwell you get a PCR test.

Lfts*

LTS are for when you do not have symptoms, so when you feel completely fine!

But if a LFT can tell someone without symptoms that they do have Covid, why can’t it tell someone who DOES have symptoms that they have Covid?

LFT are for asymptotic people they won't show positive if you have symptoms

This is what worries me. I'm passing it off as a cold and going about as normal but it quite possibly might not be going by other posters

This! And I’m actually feeling quite a bit better this morning…

LFT are for asymptotic people they won't show positive if you have symptoms

Is that really the case? It seems strange that the LFT can’t detect Covid in someone with symptoms but can detect it in someone who doesn’t. It doesn’t make sense to me, but hey ho.

@Darceyhemingway

LFT are for asymptotic people they won't show positive if you have symptoms

That doesn't make sense

They're to stop people going around with COVID and not knowing. We've been doing them in the NHS tor months to see if it helps with the spread and it has. A lot of people are getting positive LFTS with no symptoms then taking a PCR and it's positive. They're not instant PCR checks.

Also if you're worried about time Is there a drive through centre you can go to? You could go today and you'll have the results by tomorrow

@crayray yes it does. A lot of people don't know they have COVID as they don't have symptoms so the LFT was designed for that, to stop the spread of asymptotic people spreading it. If you have symptoms a LFT will be negative.