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Original poster

False positive PCR test

35 replies

lalaloopsy83 · 08/12/2021 14:05

Hey, was wondering what to do in this situation.
My son early last week tested positive on a PCR test after showing symptoms, we all have been in isolation since and been very strict with mask wearing, hand washing while in the house with him.
We all got tested day 2 and apart from my son, me and my daughter tested negative. Day 8 comes and PCR test for my daughter is positive, no symptoms at all and she hasn't been near him since his positive result. I have done two home tests after on my daughter with negative results and within 24hrs did another PCR test on her which has also come back negative.
Do we continue to isolate on the one PCR positive with no signs of Covid or listen to the 1 PCR negative and 2 LTF tests that were done less than 24hrs after the positive?
Thanks for reading

OP posts:
InTheLabyrinth · 08/12/2021 14:17

Given covid is in the house, I'd go either the positive or being correct.

If you are in England, the positive PCR is legally valid, and isolation for your daughter a legal requirement.

Redcrayons · 08/12/2021 14:24

Haven’t T&T been in touch to tell you/her to isolate. It’s not optional, you can’t test your way out.

Original poster
lalaloopsy83 · 08/12/2021 14:34

We've been in isolation for 10 days so far, we have been following the rules. That includes my daughter. Had a missed call from T&T yesterday morning with nothing since, that's why I'm asking here.
My sons due to go back to school tomorrow and my daughter is desperate to get back too. Obviously we would further test with a LFT in the morning to make sure she's ok to leave the house

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Waxonwaxoff0 · 08/12/2021 14:40

You can't ignore a positive PCR. It overrides any negative result. LFTs are not accurate at all so it's more likely they were false negatives than the PCR being false positive.

InTheLabyrinth · 08/12/2021 14:41

Where do you live? As in what country?
It will affect what you can legally do, but I'd be astounded if school will take your daughter in with the positive pcr a few days ago.

Bee4229 · 08/12/2021 14:42

No if she's had a positive result, she'll have to isolate. Dp has covid and he is pretty much asymptomatic so she could have it still. My friends kids tested positive and had no symptoms whatsoever. Only tested them as they had been in close contact, they had to isolate for 10 days feeling totally fine.

Redcrayons · 08/12/2021 14:44

That not how it works. Your daughter has to isolate 10 days from the day she tested positive if she has no symptoms.

TulipsGarden · 08/12/2021 14:49

Your daughter has to isolate for 10 days from her positive test - she certainly can't go back to school! She could have caught it at any point over the last 8 days and still be infectious. You can't just keep testing until you get a negative, and I very much doubt school will want her back.

Original poster
lalaloopsy83 · 08/12/2021 14:52

In 24 hours she had a 1 positive PCR and straight after a negative PCR test with two LTF tests also being negative.
Speaking to T&T with my sons, you isolate on the first days of symptoms being as "day 1" not the PCR result. That was their advice last week

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SunnySideDownBriefly · 08/12/2021 14:53

The lateral flow tests aren't as sensitive as a PCR so it's not even worth doing them if she's had a positive PCR. Legally, she needs to be in isolation for the 10 days. There isn't any getting around it.

Bee4229 · 08/12/2021 14:54

@lalaloopsy83

In 24 hours she had a 1 positive PCR and straight after a negative PCR test with two LTF tests also being negative. Speaking to T&T with my sons, you isolate on the first days of symptoms being as "day 1" not the PCR result. That was their advice last week
If you have symptoms you isolate from the day of symptoms but if no symptoms you isolate from day positive test was done.
Waxonwaxoff0 · 08/12/2021 14:55

@lalaloopsy83

In 24 hours she had a 1 positive PCR and straight after a negative PCR test with two LTF tests also being negative. Speaking to T&T with my sons, you isolate on the first days of symptoms being as "day 1" not the PCR result. That was their advice last week
It doesn't matter. The positive test still overrules it and she is legally required to isolate. It isn't optional.

If you are asymptomatic, you isolate from the day of the positive PCR. It's very clear on the government website.

Bee4229 · 08/12/2021 14:56

Your son can go back to school when he's done his 10 days isolation, your daughter has to isolate for another 10 days. If you are double jabbed and symptomless and negative pcr you don't have to buy of course that's hard because you will be home with your Dd!

Original poster
lalaloopsy83 · 08/12/2021 14:56

@SunnySideDownBriefly

The lateral flow tests aren't as sensitive as a PCR so it's not even worth doing them if she's had a positive PCR. Legally, she needs to be in isolation for the 10 days. There isn't any getting around it.
And what in 24hrs she test negative straight after a PCR positive. They were both PCRs
OP posts:
Waxonwaxoff0 · 08/12/2021 14:56

I also had negative LFT the same day I had a positive PCR. So have many others. They are not reliable.

Iggly · 08/12/2021 14:58

Why on earth did you do another PCR?
You may have done it wrong the second time.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 08/12/2021 14:58

Not sure why you're arguing the toss, she is legally required to isolate, if she doesn't you are breaking the law and potentially spreading Covid around. That's that.

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 08/12/2021 14:58

@lalaloopsy83

In 24 hours she had a 1 positive PCR and straight after a negative PCR test with two LTF tests also being negative. Speaking to T&T with my sons, you isolate on the first days of symptoms being as "day 1" not the PCR result. That was their advice last week
But you said she was asymptomatic, so for her Day 1 is the date of the positive test result.

It’s horrid for her but it sounds as if she needs to isolate for another ten days, I’m afraid 😕

SirVixofVixHall · 08/12/2021 14:59

@Waxonwaxoff0

You can't ignore a positive PCR. It overrides any negative result. LFTs are not accurate at all so it's more likely they were false negatives than the PCR being false positive.
This. A false negative on a PCR is also much more likely than a false positive, probably your daughter didn’t get a good enough sample for the second test. Your dd was with your ds before he tested positive, she will have been exposed to the virus and then had a positive PCR - why did you do a second one ? LFTs are not very accurate at all. My dd also had no symptoms with covid, but she was still able to pass it on, she infected my DH. You really must keep your dd at home.
Waxonwaxoff0 · 08/12/2021 15:00

It's shit but that's the way it is. My DS had to isolate for 16 days in total as I caught it then he tested positive 6 days after me.

nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut · 08/12/2021 15:03

You are massively more likely to have a false negative than a false positive.

I assume its a bit like pregnancy tests. They can miss the hormone/protein if it is present but can't detect it if its not there.

GnomeyGnome · 08/12/2021 15:03

I'm confused with your timeline. You say you did a PCR on day 2 but then say day 8 your daughter's PCR was positive. Did it take that long to get the results or did she do 3 PCR's altogether?

Waxonwaxoff0 · 08/12/2021 15:05

Especially as she is at school. You'd be an utter dick if you sent her in and she spread it to her classmates in the run up to Christmas.

Original poster
lalaloopsy83 · 08/12/2021 15:18

@GnomeyGnome

I'm confused with your timeline. You say you did a PCR on day 2 but then say day 8 your daughter's PCR was positive. Did it take that long to get the results or did she do 3 PCR's altogether?
You test day 2 and day 8. Day 2 was negative Day 8 was positive Day 9 was negative All PCRs
OP posts:
Original poster
lalaloopsy83 · 08/12/2021 15:20

@Waxonwaxoff0

Especially as she is at school. You'd be an utter dick if you sent her in and she spread it to her classmates in the run up to Christmas.
Thanks for the "utter dick" remark 🙄 I am asking because I'm confused and haven't spoke to T&T yet. Obviously I'm not trying to spread to anyone, Jensen why we are day 10 of isolation here
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