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Original poster

Positive LF negative PCR

12 replies

shreddednips · 12/12/2021 13:35

I've just got an unexpected PCR result! Had a very clearly positive LF test after being exposed to Covid in an A&E waiting room and developing symptoms. Just got the PCR results back and I'm negative.

I'd very much like to trust the PCR results because I really don't want to self isolate for 10 days. However, I'm a bit suspicious because it's the first time I've ever been exposed to a positive case (as far as I know, I work from home so don't come into contact with lots of people) and it's also the first time I've ever seen even a whisper of a line on a LF. I test routinely because I know someone who is clinically very vulnerable and I don't want to pass it on to them. Do I trust the PCR result?

OP posts:
Tinysnickers · 12/12/2021 13:50

Nope. Isolate and do another. Do a few more LF too. You might get one false positive LF but the chances of multiple false positives would be teenytiny (scientific term Grin).

Original poster
shreddednips · 12/12/2021 13:54

Thanks, I'll definitely do another tomorrow. Can't get hold of any lateral flow tests, DH has tried a few pharmacies but everyone is stocking up for Xmas apparently. But he got negative on LF and PCR so he can do the childcare runs etc while I isolate and get tested again, it just seems rather suspect!

OP posts:
Laurel1 · 12/12/2021 16:23

I had 4 positive lateral flows over Monday and Tuesday. 2 pcrs couldn't be read apparently and then 2 negative pcrs.

I've isolated at home and work are happy and encouraged me to do so. I've lost all faith in the testing system now.

Original poster
shreddednips · 12/12/2021 16:25

Sorry to hear you've been having the same problems 😩 it's absolutely bizarre. It just seems like too much of a coincidence that the one time I've been exposed (and it was quite a long time, more than an hour with the infected person coughing near me) that I get a positive LF. They've always been stark white before.

OP posts:
Lokdok · 12/12/2021 16:26

Just order more lfts- they’ll come tomorrow

Tinysnickers · 12/12/2021 16:47

Apparently pcrs that come back void are essentially 'almost positive' but not quite enough of the virus markers to actually call it a positive. My Oxford /ons swab one week after actually having covid came bacj as a void. I was expecting it to be positive.

Lucythewonderdog · 12/12/2021 18:21

@shreddednips

Thanks, I'll definitely do another tomorrow. Can't get hold of any lateral flow tests, DH has tried a few pharmacies but everyone is stocking up for Xmas apparently. But he got negative on LF and PCR so he can do the childcare runs etc while I isolate and get tested again, it just seems rather suspect!
Order them to be delivered.

www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests

Original poster
shreddednips · 12/12/2021 20:38

Thanks, I've ordered some. I think I possibly did the PCR too soon, it was just under 72 hours after exposure. I'd intended to wait another day but when the LF came up positive so quickly I thought a PCR was bound to pick it up too. We shall see 😬

OP posts:
Original poster
shreddednips · 13/12/2021 14:12

Just to update, looks like it was a false positive! I've done a couple more that are negative. It's weird because although the test line wasn't as strong as the control, it certainly wasn't faint. Peculiar. Feeling quite unwell although it's probably one of the many other viruses circulating, I've done another PCR to be safe.

OP posts:
Laurel1 · 13/12/2021 14:18

@Tinysnickers

Apparently pcrs that come back void are essentially 'almost positive' but not quite enough of the virus markers to actually call it a positive. My Oxford /ons swab one week after actually having covid came bacj as a void. I was expecting it to be positive.
This is really interesting as I had 2 voids before negatives. My theory was that I'd had it the week before and it was nearly out of my system.
my8thMNusername · 13/12/2021 14:18

I had the same apart from no close contacts that I was aware of. Two positive LFTs (many others were negative) and three negative PCRs over the course of a week. This was a few weeks ago now and I definitely don't think it was covid despite developing symptoms out the blue halfway through the week.

Luckily if it was, it didn't affect my ability to run fast or my senses (lost smell completely when I had covid months ago).

I also don't trust LFTs now.

my8thMNusername · 15/12/2021 20:54

@shreddednips

Just to update, looks like it was a false positive! I've done a couple more that are negative. It's weird because although the test line wasn't as strong as the control, it certainly wasn't faint. Peculiar. Feeling quite unwell although it's probably one of the many other viruses circulating, I've done another PCR to be safe.
Did you get PCR result yet?
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