Advice please...so confused!

[BadWriter]

Household of 3: DD, DH, and me.

DD started coming down with a temp and cold symptoms on Tuesday, by Wednesday both DH and I started coming down with the same. I booked PCRs for all 3 to come by post which came on Thursday (yesterday), tested ourselves quickly and got them back in priority post by 1 p.m. By this morning, DH and I both feel really crap, as if we have flu. DD is already bouncing back from hers.

Anyway, long story short...DH is positive and DD and I are negative!

How?! We all have the same symptoms, in fact I'd say I have the most COVID-like symptoms as my sense of smell is nearly gone by this evening and I'm short of breath when walking across the house. I'm running a temp even with paracetamol in my system.

The stupid thing is DH's result came in first; when his was positive I just stupidly assumed all 3 would come back that way so didn't isolate away from him, so NOW we're probably exposed even if DD and I don't actually have it.

My Q is this, where do we go from here?

Technically, DD should be allowed to go back to school Monday with a negative PCR; she still has a cough though her temp is normal now. I should technically be able to take her to school as I am negative, but I have major symptoms and feel like I have flu.

My thoughts are to re-book tests for DD and me and stay isolating until those come through. Will the school be understanding of this, do you think?

Interestingly, we are in the Southwest and I've read stuff lately about false negatives in the area, although we did the PCRs by post so maybe that doesn't apply.

Any thoughts? Thank you in advance.

Hi OP, that is tough. Personally I would rebook tests for you and DD and explain to school that because you feel so ill/have new symptoms (as you weren’t so bad when you got tested) you need to isolate until you get the results and therefore can’t bring her to school. I am sure and hope they will understand- I work in a school and although technically this would be an unauthorised absence- (if she doesn’t have symptoms and has had negative PCR) I think that’s better than the alternative which is that you have it and maybe even she does…

If she is still negative and you are positive you are meant to send her in BUT the practicality of that is very difficult!

Personally I'd be rebooking tests for the two negatives and continue to isolate. Explain to school that you've got new tests on the way and continuing to isolate as all household symptomatic.

It is possible that the original test (for whatever reason) did not pick up Covid in both you and your DD. However, another test may pick it up later.

It’s also possible that you are have another virus, and your DH Covid would otherwise be asymptomatic. In this case you could still possibly get a positive result later on, especially if you haven’t completely isolated from him. However, this isn’t a given.

Whatever the reason, you need to do what you feel is right.

Similar thing happened to us. I'm assuming we all had it. I refuse to believe that we all had symptoms of a virus that is spreading like wildfire but I was the only one in our house that actually had covid and the others had a different virus.
Book another test.

Thanks all, I have re-booked the two PCRS but probably won't come until Monday now. I guess I'll keep DD off and phone the school explaining we're re-testing as both still symptomatic. My current state means it would be hard to walk her to school (no car) anyway so if they put it down as unauthorized, so be it.

Have you tried LFTs?

Yes I would recommend LFTs as well as a PCR if you have them. Ours showed up positive very quickly.

It's possible that you have all caught a flu-like virus but that your dh also has Covid. We recently did LFTs because my ds had a terrible cough, my DH, my ds and myself all tested negative but my symptom free DD tested positive. PCR tests confirmed exactly the same results so now my symptom free DD is in isolation! If my DS hadn't had a cough we would have never picked up my DD's asymptomatic Covid.

I have run out of LFTs and the website stops you from ordering any more if you answer "yes" to "I have COVID-19 symptoms." It redirects you to booking a PCR. Very confusing!

Lie to get LFTs, the system’s not terribly helpful. Meanwhile book more PCRs.

Doctors on this thread all saying symptoms plus close contact should never be ignored just because of one or two negative tests initially:

Lie to get LFTs, the system’s not terribly helpful. Meanwhile book more PCRs.

Doctors on this thread all saying symptoms plus close contact should never be ignored just because of one or two negative tests initially:

twitter.com/dgurdasani1/status/1459171169836359680?s=20

If you don’t want to lie to get LFTs is there anyone who could pick up some LFTs for you and drop them on your doorstep?

All chemist around me are giving out LFTs.

The school should be fine by this. Schools in our area are asking (but can't enforce) that family members test after 3 days and isolate until then. PH says the best trike to test is 3-5 days after exposure.

Thank you all. DD's and my PCRs have just arrived but too late to put in priority post for today (considering I have to arrange someone to pick them up and do it since I'm isolating just in case)...I'll need to check if there are any Sunday pick-ups around here, otherwise will get them out 1st thing Monday and phone her school to say we're being cautious and re-testing as we both still have symptoms despite the negative tests.

P.S. I did decide to lie and ordered more LFTs too...thanks to the person above for giving me the bravery to do so.

Do you know anyone local that can drop a couple of LFD tests through your door?

@Howshouldibehave I have a friend who said yesterday she could drop a couple in. I hate to burden anyone on a Saturday but may just ask her if, she's out and about anyway, would she mind doing so. Ironically her family has just gotten out of isolation; I think the virus may be making its way through DD's school. Thanks!

@BadWriter

considering I have to arrange someone to pick them up and do it

You're allowed to go to the post box to post tests even if you are isolating.

LFTs - you're not lying if your daughter is now 'fine'. I got some by filling in the form as if I was my child.

Thanks all, posted DD's and my 2nd PCR tests in the priority box this morning so should get results tomorrow hopefully. We watched the video and did it step by step a bit more carefully this time, just in case the 1st tests were done incorrectly. LFTs are showing negative for all 3 of us this morning, even DH who had a positive PCR.

All of us are feeling slightly better now...just have fatigue and lingering coughs...no more temps.