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Original poster

Is there a point in doing a pcr?

61 replies

Couldntmissthisonethisyear · 16/12/2021 22:45

My sons class got sent home yesterday as the teacher and 8 children were positive.
He was negative on a lateral flow last night and a very faint line tonight.
Feeling under the weather with a mild cough, its obviously covid.

What is the need for a pcr now as we will all just stay home now anyway so it would just be adding to the numbers.

Or is there an actual reason that my stressed head can't think of, I thought about a recovery pass but he's not old enough to need to show one?
As for tracing contacts it would only be his class and they're all contacts anyway and are at home with the advice to get a pcr.

OP posts:
grafittiartist · 16/12/2021 22:46

Had this conversation today- will be interested to see.

AD80 · 16/12/2021 22:48

For me I think it's helpful to have in record they've had covid. I know they could get it again... also after a confirmed positive test you shouldn't routinely test for 90 days do a pcr would mean he's exempt from any routine testing!

gogohm · 16/12/2021 22:49

We have decided we will just lft if we are positive, that said still avoiding currently - I had covid in March 2020 and not since

Chickpea22 · 16/12/2021 22:49

My DH tested very obviously positive on lat flow and developed symptoms last week. He hasn’t bothered with a PCR. Told contacts himself and is isolating at home. I guess it might be useful to know numbers but I found the track and trace a real pain in the arse when I was feeling extremely unwell with covid. Rather puts you off.

Flamingolingo · 16/12/2021 22:51

For kids, for me it’s that (at the moment) following a positive pcr they are exempted from further pcr in the next 90 days. That and knowing that they have had covid and it’s on their health record.

slaybell · 16/12/2021 22:52

I wouldn't bother with one if I was positive on LFT. I'd be isolating anyway.

The only reason I see is to determine if it's omicron as your household also needs to isolate with you. Unless you are all isolating anyway? Then I don't see the point really.

CovidMakesThingsHarder · 16/12/2021 22:53

@Flamingolingo

For kids, for me it’s that (at the moment) following a positive pcr they are exempted from further pcr in the next 90 days. That and knowing that they have had covid and it’s on their health record.
This. If he’s unfortunate enough to get long covid then his positive PCR will help
HauntedPencil · 16/12/2021 22:54

I think it's better atm in case it is omnicron - sure I've read they might look at this issue ti free up PCRs

GreenLunchBox · 16/12/2021 22:55

Same debate here with a family member. Positive lateral flow and will be isolating for ten days anyway as it's obviously covid. All previous lateral flows have been negative and they were in contact with a positive person (only on lateral flow also).Also lots of other contacts of this first person have tested positive(on lateral flow). Too tired to go and post the PCR test

I don't know how many of these people are doing flow up PCRs. Makes me think the numbers must be so much higher than recorded.

GreenLunchBox · 16/12/2021 22:56

@slaybell

I wouldn't bother with one if I was positive on LFT. I'd be isolating anyway.

The only reason I see is to determine if it's omicron as your household also needs to isolate with you. Unless you are all isolating anyway? Then I don't see the point really.

I think they've done away with that Omicron rule
Somebodylikeyew · 16/12/2021 23:00

You just don’t know what the future may hold, and for that reason I think I’d do the PCR.

TulipsGarden · 16/12/2021 23:00

I would want it on my health records - it's much easier to access help with long Covid if you havea positive test result. As a child he's less likely to bed that, but you never know.

And I think it's the responsible thing to do - as a society we need to know how it's spreading.

TulipsGarden · 16/12/2021 23:00

*need that

Icequeen01 · 16/12/2021 23:07

I've just tested positive on a LFD and have booked a PCR for tomorrow. I need to provide evidence to my employer that I am positive so I receive my full pay. This is my second time getting Covid and first time was awful. I'm just hoping this time it will be milder. I've had my booster so fingers crossed.

Tatapie · 16/12/2021 23:08

@TulipsGarden

I would want it on my health records - it's much easier to access help with long Covid if you havea positive test result. As a child he's less likely to bed that, but you never know.

And I think it's the responsible thing to do - as a society we need to know how it's spreading.

This! I agree, please do bother to get one.
Frazzled2207 · 16/12/2021 23:14

In terms of my 6 yo son I didn’t bother. Lft was positive, half the class and the teacher and the had it, he was coughing etc. The only place he’s been was at school. I just told them (and the class mums whatsapp) that he had covid and kept him off for 10 days. Test and Trace would have been a waste of time.

While I agree having it on medical records could be helpful I know lots of people who got covid at the beginning of the pandemic before tests were widely available. They have been to docs with concerns, the docs tends to believe you when you say you had it, regardless of records.

HammerToFall · 16/12/2021 23:17

@GreenLunchBox unfortunately not. me and my daughter tested positive today. he school has has several cases of
omicron so we've been told
we all have to isolate. i work for labour abs delivery bed management abs 8 midwives have had to go off after ESC made
them all lateral
flows and then six of those have to go pcr. it's going to be horrific havent go for any one to cover bed management on maternity. i'm
glad. i'm glad
i'm not there'

Glitterandunicorns · 16/12/2021 23:17

I understand why some of you may not see the value in a PCR test, but please please get one done.

God forbid, but if you end up with Long Covid or any other long-term conditions as a result, it will be far easier to access services you may need if you can show you've had Covid.

In addition, it's so important that the decision makers understand the true scale of the problem to enable them to formulate an appropriate response (I don't just mean lockdowns there; I mean getting businesses affected financial support and stuff like that).

I hope all of you with positive lateral flows make a speedy recovery.

KylieKoKo · 16/12/2021 23:18

It's worth it if you want to travel abroad. Some countries will accept a covid recovery certificate instead of expensive PCR tests.

Curiousmouse · 16/12/2021 23:19

Now we can have it in records, I'd definitely want that for my child.

Original poster
Couldntmissthisonethisyear · 16/12/2021 23:19

Hmm maybe the long covid would be my only concern then but I think that's doubtful statistically.
We would all be isolating as its just me and 2 children so as he can't go anywhere, none of us can.
I don't need "proof" for work or school as I'm off on annual leave for Xmas now.

If I'm thinking this way and seems like I'm not the only one going by the replies then I think pp is right and it's worse than it seems now 😔 even though that doesn't seem possible

OP posts:
SickAndTiredAgain · 16/12/2021 23:26

I’d get one done for the reasons people have stated, mainly having it on a health record.

The isolating if it’s omicron rule was got rid of though. If you are under 18 or double vaccinated you are advised to take a daily LFT, but not required to isolate if a contact of omicron.
In Scotland you are technically only advised to isolate as a contact of any positive case, but it has been presented a bit like it’s the law, which it isn’t at the moment.

Cherrytart23 · 16/12/2021 23:26

My ds did pcr he tested positive I had symptoms and tested positive on numerous lft but never done pcr as obvious I had it.
I wish I did pcr now because 3 months on I have been having health issues only started after covid but gp has no evidence I had covid even after I have explained the situation its dismissed so I would recommend a pcr just for medical records.

Frazzled2207 · 16/12/2021 23:31

@KylieKoKo

It's worth it if you want to travel abroad. Some countries will accept a covid recovery certificate instead of expensive PCR tests.
This is true but only for 3 months or so I think
ShiftingSands21 · 16/12/2021 23:57

They are actually probably going to have to do away with confirmatory PCRs in less than a week as there won’t be capacity anymore. So think it’s reasonable to just do lft and no PCR from now really.