Is there any point having a PCR

[Werk]

DH has had symptoms since Monday, his LFTs remained negative until this morning. He has been isolating since Monday anyway and works from home usually so no change there. He didn't do much over the weekend either as we were just at home decorating so he has only been in contact with us and B&Q in a week.

He is a pain for always wanting to go against the grain and refuses to get a PCR test.
Whereas I am always keen to follow the rules and so really want him to get one. He says it is now too late.

Both double vaccinated and I had Covid 4 months ago.

Should be get one?

It's not too late. I think you can get tested anytime within 8 days of getting symptoms.

What are his reasons? If its to avoid isolating or some stupid rebellion against being a "stat", he's an idiot. If he'll isolate properly anyway and really doesn't want to have one then I don't suppose it matters too much.

Is he planning on isolating for the rest of the ten day isolation period?

He should get one really.

I'd probably consider not getting one so I wouldn't have to speak to Test and Trace! If he's going to isolate then surely it doesn't really matter.

The only things is that being on official records as ‘recovered from covid’ is actually quite useful. If he’s got it then I’d want it on public record!!

He will isolate, definitely. He is planning on isolating for 10 days from now. He is a bit of a hermit anyway.

It's more that he doesn't want to deal with test and trace. He likes thinking he is rebellious

We have DC at school, should I tell the school?

@Smartiepants79

The only things is that being on official records as ‘recovered from covid’ is actually quite useful. If he’s got it then I’d want it on public record!!

Good point.

Also if he is unlucky enough to get long covid, it might be useful to have an official record of having covid in the first place.

He should do the test so it's on his records in case he needs to access help for it later

Yes he should get a PCR as my parent had negative LFTs but as was still quite poorly did a PCR & that was positive.

If he doesn't get a PCR now, and then has to for some reason in next three months, he could still test positive and have to SI again.

@Smartiepants79 yes - I think that too. Having "officially" had it might be useful.

I had it back in July- just as things were reopening and I had some colleagues who had to isolate for 10 days as a result. They were not best pleased! However, I don't this really affects anyone apart from us. I can WFH. The DC have gone to school today after producing negative LFTs.

@MsMartini another good point.

I think the only concern would be if he needed to do a test for anything within 3 months it could still come back positive and with no record of him having covid it would be problematic.

I’d err on the side of cautious and have the PCR, just order one to the house. It’s best to have a record of recovery as you never know what’s coming down the line!

Im in Scotland - so expecting we’ll need a negative lft to go to the pub in the near future!

I'd get one, not so much for the current infection bit, but for the following 90 days, incase passports are required to do anything this winter, and infection in the previous Xdays get you out of testing

Is he actually just a bit scared of the test. Although it’s similar to a LFT 😂

My DH is similar, but his reasons defy logic.

At the very least you and your dcs should get a PCR as close contacts.

@Smartiepants79

The only things is that being on official records as ‘recovered from covid’ is actually quite useful. If he’s got it then I’d want it on public record!!

That's a good point. Maybe I would have a PCR in that case and just not answer T&T!

Is he in line for a booster jab? You can't have one within x weeks of a positive test (don't know what x is), so surely it's better to know? If it's negative, he may well get his booster sooner (depending on when it's due). If he's positive then he'll know not to get one within the timeframe.

Plus what everyone else said too. Just get tested!

@ReviewingTheSituation

4 weeks, 28 days.

I would get the PCR simply because there is an official record of having had Covid which can be useful in certain circumstances

Personally I wouldn’t bother, not if he’s going to isolate anyway.

If he was unlucky enough to become very ill it would be useful to have confirmation of positive test.
You are told to get a pcr when you log a positive LFT.
If he was to suffer long term effects - long covid, it might be a problem accessing medical care if his records don't show he had covid.

If he gets Long Covid, not having any evidence that he's actually had covid complicates matters and makes everything harder.

He has booked a drive through PCR for this afternoon.
His booster is due at the end of December.
If it is positive (which I very much think it will be) I will get me and DC tested too to be on the safe side - I am 4 months post positive PCR and so mine shouldn't be affected by that.
He sometimes has to travel for work (was due away next week in fact) and so I think that has swayed him, because he might end up with a positive once recovered.

Thank you - it helps to have some rational input.

This illness is so odd, isn't it?
He was in close contact with me when I got Covid and he didn't get it (nor did my DC) but he must have caught it randomly in B&Q or on the train on Friday (he popped into his office briefly because he has been issued a new laptop).

Yes, do get a PCR. I'm suffering from fatigue and suspect I had covid a few months ago, but I have nothing to say I did and it really makes life a million times more difficult.