Should I lie to get PCR test?

[Coconut49]

Have heavy cold and have also lost voice. Rarely cough - only to clear phlegm from throat. 3 negative LFT's. Friend is adamant I should get PCR test but I would have to lie on form as haven't got continuous cough, temperature or loss taste/smell. What would you do? Surely if government wanted us to test with cold symptoms they would change criteria to access PCR?

@Ozanj

Pregnant women are exempt from the testing criteria, or they are locally. Our local testing centres (both walk in and drive through) will take pregnant women as walk ins even if you have no symptoms. Just use the service.

But I am not pregnant??!!

See I probably wouldn’t bother getting a pcr with a positive lateral flow unless I actually need one for work - as they are rarely wrong.

Having had covid with none of the “big three” symptoms I always would, with other symptoms because there are a lot of false negatives.

[quote whatswithtodaytoday]@pommedeterre The LFT is (usually) not as good as the PCR for picking up low levels of the virus (they are checking for different things, I forget what exactly).

So if you do an LFT and it's negative you probably don't have a very high viral load at that moment, but you might still test positive on a PCR because they're more sensitive. Not sure where three days ago comes into it?[/quote]
It has taken 2 days for the LFT to turn positive despite being able to benchmark it with a positive PCR test for 4 cases I know.

Therefore a negative LFT is to approach with caution.

Yes, there are loads of appointments available (where I am anyway) also not all covid symptoms are 'classic'

Just be honest with your friend, OP. You don't personally mind if what you have is covid, and you don't want to have to isolate, so you're going to cite the 'official three symptoms' and 'not wanting to waste NHS resources' as a reason for not testing.

Like the rest of us, you know perfectly well that these days what seems like just a cold could also be covid, but you don't actually particularly want to find that out if you have got it - a true positive would be as unwelcome to you as a false positive, because of the need to isolate.

It's totally your choice, so own it.

@393847593478resu

Just be honest with your friend, OP. You don't personally mind if what you have is covid, and you don't want to have to isolate, so you're going to cite the 'official three symptoms' and 'not wanting to waste NHS resources' as a reason for not testing.

Like the rest of us, you know perfectly well that these days what seems like just a cold could also be covid, but you don't actually particularly want to find that out if you have got it - a true positive would be as unwelcome to you as a false positive, because of the need to isolate.

It's totally your choice, so own it.

Totally unfair and unreasonable comment.

OP has already taken THREE tests for covid all of which have been negative. It is overwhelmingly unlikely she has Covid.

Government advise is to access a PCR if experiencing symptoms which OP does not have, or if a close contact with a known, identified case (which OP is not).

You are welcome to make up your own rules for yourself if you wish, but at the very least have the humility to realise that not everyone shares your personal dogma 🙄.

Voice of reason - thanks Bizawit 😃

@Ozanj

Pregnant women are exempt from the testing criteria, or they are locally. Our local testing centres (both walk in and drive through) will take pregnant women as walk ins even if you have no symptoms. Just use the service.

Pregnant women have never been exempt.

Why did you ask? You've made your mind up and have faith in LFT (more than the government).

@393847593478resu

Just be honest with your friend, OP. You don't personally mind if what you have is covid, and you don't want to have to isolate, so you're going to cite the 'official three symptoms' and 'not wanting to waste NHS resources' as a reason for not testing.

Like the rest of us, you know perfectly well that these days what seems like just a cold could also be covid, but you don't actually particularly want to find that out if you have got it - a true positive would be as unwelcome to you as a false positive, because of the need to isolate.

It's totally your choice, so own it.

^^This.

I would take the test just to get it on your records that you have had covid. You might need to go abroad and a requirement is negative pcr which you might not get if you had covid recently.

No don't get one. You're still supposed to only get one for the original 3 symptoms. Don't be guilted into this, you are only obligated to follow the official guidance