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Covid

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Original poster

Please advise me!

25 replies

mrsdolittle · 05/12/2021 20:04

On Thursday last week my colleague tested positive on LFT (confirmed by PCR). I was in very close contact to her on the Tuesday and Wednesday (literally sitting side by side for two days).

I'd been doing LTF's everyday since and took a PCR on Friday - came back negative yesterday.

BUT this evening I am feeling really odd. Really cold, bit shivery but temp normal (according to my thermometer anyway - which to be fair is a bit crap!). Bit achy, bit of a headache, a bit nauseous. Just generally feel a bit shit. I've tested again on LFT - still negative.

Thing is I have a really important day/week at work tomorrow which I really can't miss unless I am proper ill/actually have covid. My instinct, unless I wake up feeling fine tomorrow, is to call in sick and get another PCR - regardless of the LFT result.

Does this seem reasonable? I can't think straight. If I end up taking time off work and it isn't covid I won't be at all popular.

Any advice welcome 🙏

OP posts:

Original poster

mrsdolittle · 05/12/2021 20:12

Should probably add double jabbed but not had booster yet (booked for Saturday)

OP posts:

PrincessPaws · 05/12/2021 20:15

I would do another LFT tomorrow if you feel better, and would call in sick and do a PCR if you aren't. The average time to develop symptoms is 5/6 days, which fits with when you were sitting next to her

SilverGlitterBaubles · 05/12/2021 20:16

Regardless of the importance of the day at work no one will appreciate your attendance it if you potentially have Covid. The responsible thing to do if you still feel like this in the morning is not to go into work and to get tested.

Original poster

mrsdolittle · 05/12/2021 20:20

Thank you. I'm wondering if I went too soon for the PCR.

I don't have much faith in the LFT. DH had covid a few months ago and he always tested negative on them - though PCR was positive

OP posts:

Flanjango · 05/12/2021 20:22

Book another pcr. It can take time to show up on lf tests and if you are symptomatic it's best to test.

Wonderfulchristmastime31 · 05/12/2021 20:22

Dp had very close contact all day with a colleague on Wednesday 1/12 just gone. The very next day his colleague tested positive on a lft with no symptoms - his wife had tested positive.

Dp did lft tests Thursday - Friday and all negative. Pcr test on Friday evening which came back yesterday as negative

Fast forward to today he's had a very clear positive on lft. He's double jabbed. Done another pcr so will await results of that but likely it's positive or we will be pcr testing again.

He doesn't have any specific covid symptoms. Had a headache all day which isn't all that uncommon for him, shivery but no actual temperature and a slight sniffle.

Wonderfulchristmastime31 · 05/12/2021 20:23

@Wonderfulchristmastime31

Dp had very close contact all day with a colleague on Wednesday 1/12 just gone. The very next day his colleague tested positive on a lft with no symptoms - his wife had tested positive.

Dp did lft tests Thursday - Friday and all negative. Pcr test on Friday evening which came back yesterday as negative

Fast forward to today he's had a very clear positive on lft. He's double jabbed. Done another pcr so will await results of that but likely it's positive or we will be pcr testing again.

He doesn't have any specific covid symptoms. Had a headache all day which isn't all that uncommon for him, shivery but no actual temperature and a slight sniffle.

Also, forgot to add he's been vomiting all day!

Mykittensaremyfriends · 05/12/2021 20:27

You need to do another PCR and isolate until you get the result which I suspect will be positive as all the symptoms you describe are the first shown when my child started. Had done a negative lateral flow hours earlier and they often takes days to show up in symptomatic cases. Hope you feel better soon

freddiethegreat · 05/12/2021 20:36

I had pretty much exactly what you describe a week ago. Went to bed feeling rough Sunday night, felt worse overnight, did an LFT on Monday morning & the second line screamed at me (then confirmed by PCR). Try again in the morning. But you feel ill & feverish, so you need to isolate & take a PCR anyway.

Ormally · 05/12/2021 20:48

If you turn up to work and pass it on, this will put various people right in the firing line to develop symptoms from the 11th-12th onwards. Might just be clear for Christmas, but I can tell you first hand that it can regularly drag on past the 10 day mark.

Our experience has been similar, even after the first positive case in the house was into its run - LFT nothing, nothing, nothing, and then one day, no mistaking the positive.

CovidMakesThingsHard · 05/12/2021 20:53

Call in sick and say it’s because you are symptomatic and following government guidelines to isolate until your PCR comes back.

Original poster

mrsdolittle · 05/12/2021 21:07

Thanks all.

So even though iI don't have a cough, I haven't lost taste/smell and though I feel shivery I don't have a temp am I still classed as symptomatic do you think?

In the eyes of my employer I mean.

OP posts:

spinachpie · 05/12/2021 21:13

I would be asking you to work from the stationery cupboard if you turned up in my office! Can you wfh?

Jacaranda75 · 05/12/2021 21:17

Yes definitely take time off and test. You could literally ruin people’s Christmases.

Mykittensaremyfriends · 05/12/2021 21:25

Our experience was cold/shivery followed hours later feeling feverish, nauseous and headache. Sore throat and aching started a day or so in followed by the cough and loss of smell after a week, amongst other symptoms.

The Zoe app lists 21 symptoms, most of which could be mistaken for a cold or other illnesses, so best to get another PCR test to rule it out.

Original poster

mrsdolittle · 05/12/2021 21:27

@spinachpie

I would be asking you to work from the stationery cupboard if you turned up in my office! Can you wfh?

Can't really work from home - can do bits and pieces via email but my job is pretty hands on.

They will just have to manage without me. You never know - it might make them appreciate me more

OP posts:

sociallydistained · 05/12/2021 21:44

I feel the same as you OP. Actually waiting on a close contact at works results to come through but I started feeling crap last night. LFT negative so far for them and me but they had symptoms and went for PCR.

RuthW · 05/12/2021 21:58

You shouldn't do an lft if you have any symptoms. You need a pcr.

Original poster

mrsdolittle · 07/12/2021 08:38

Bit off an update. Woke up yesterday still feeling crap but LFT negative. Didn't go to work (not popular) and sent off postal PCR yesterday afternoon.

This morning still rubbish (my bones HURT!!!!). Did LFT. Very strong positive.

So absolutely right advice not to go to work.

Thanks all x

OP posts:

Bumblebee2930 · 07/12/2021 08:52

@mrsdolittle

Bit off an update. Woke up yesterday still feeling crap but LFT negative. Didn't go to work (not popular) and sent off postal PCR yesterday afternoon.

This morning still rubbish (my bones HURT!!!!). Did LFT. Very strong positive.

So absolutely right advice not to go to work.

Thanks all x

Hope you feel better soon op. It can happen so quickly. Dp sent form negative on pcr on Friday evening and string positive lft Sunday and then pcr confirmed!

toomuchlaundry · 07/12/2021 09:03

You will have to rearrange your booster

Cookerhood · 07/12/2021 09:18

@RuthW

You shouldn't do an lft if you have any symptoms. You need a pcr.

The LFT will still work, it doesn't magically know when you develop symptoms. It's just that PCR is more accurate. The government have done people a disservice not explaining this as it's a common myth.

PiffleWiffleWoozle · 07/12/2021 09:21

Good call OP. Hope you feel better soon.

Original poster

mrsdolittle · 07/12/2021 10:59

Thanks all 🙏

Bit more advice needed please. So I've registered my positive LFT and am obviously now getting texts telling me to book a PCR. But I did a Postal PCR yesterday so I'm not going to book another one.

Will my records get joined together if you see what I mean. So they realise I'm not ignoring the texts/emails

OP posts:

Ormally · 07/12/2021 15:57

Wait for the postal PCR result - if positive then I think it should work out because of the connected NHS numbers that go with the records of both, and potential T&T follow-up. If not, then I'm not sure but it probably depends what proof your work needs.
Sorry you have a positive - hope it plays out and passes with no issues.

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