To tell you that you're not exempt from PCR testing even if you've had covid in the last 90 days

[Moolia]

I have spoken to so many people recently who said that they had symptoms but didn't get a PCR as they had covid within the last 90 days so thought they were exempt from testing.

You are only exempt from LFTs, not PCRs.

Government and NHS rules say to get a PCR with new symptoms even if you've had covid in the last 90 days www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing/test-results/positive-test-result/

I personally now know 3 people who've had covid twice within 2 months. And with Omicron now dominant it's even more likely that people will get reinfected.

The top 5 symptoms are now: runny nose, headache, fatigue (either mild or severe), sneezing, and sore throat.

www.bmj.com/content/375/bmj.n3103

If you have cold symptoms, don't rely on LFT tests, get a PCR.

@RacoonRocket

Please could we have a link to these Government and NHS regulations that everyone, including the Government and NHS appears to be doing the opposite of?

Right here www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test

I would struggle to differentiate between a new infection and the issues from before because I am still having symptoms 8 weeks on from my infection - sore throat, headaches, runny nose, sneezing and fatigue have persisted all this time.

Test and Trace specifically told me not to take another PCR within 90 days because it would have a false positive. I think it is even if the positive PCR confirmation email

Track and trace told us not to test our daughter within 90 days because it might generate a positive PCR due to her covid and if she gets a positive PCR she has to isolate again.
We've had to cancel our christmas holiday because we couldn't get insurance because they felt she was at risk of getting a positive PCR due to her past Covid.
All a bit confusing then.

When test and trace ring you (every sodding day!) when you have COVID, they tell you every time they ring that you shouldn’t test again within 90 days.

@EarringsandLipstick

That's interesting OP.

It's a different situation in Ireland: www2.hse.ie/conditions/covid19/symptoms/recovering/#immunity-after-covid-19-infection

If you test positive for Covid, you do not require a test for 9 months after, regardless of symptoms.

We're generally more conservative in our approach to Covid than the UK, so interesting to see the difference here

In lreland you do need to get tested again IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS just not for being a close contact.

I was also told no testing of any kind by T&T. Is that ok with you?

They were advising not to test but advice on the website has changed - lots has changed since omicron. When my DD had it recently they said that any new symptoms and she’d have to start isolation again.

We all had covid last month, it's true that T&T tell you not to do a LFT or PCR for 90 days, BUT they advise if you get new symptoms within that time, you just have to isolate for 10 days. As others have said, the point is that you can apparently get a false positive if testing again within the 90 day window.

NHS guidance saying get a PCR within 90 days of a positive test if you have new covid symptoms www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing/test-results/positive-test-result/

Government guidance says the same www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test

It's worrying that a lot of people don't know this, apparently including T&T and the NHS!

I understand this is frustrating you but I really don't think the current situation is being driven by people not testing for 90 days post infection. The chances of getting it again so quickly are very low, yes it can happen but the pandemic is not being driven by reinfections.

How do you know that?

@BasementIdeas

They really need to make that more clear when you talk to T&T after a positive. They are the ones who told me not to test again for 90 days

Yes, me too. As I'm STILL exhausted after having Covid in October, I'm not sure how I'd know if I was tired for a different reason.

Your post suggests the guidance is to get a new PCR test within 90 days if the symptoms you have listed appear. The NHS guidance is only get retested if any of the 3 official symptoms cough, temperature or loss of smell.

Hi, OP. We're moving your thread over to the Coronavirus topic now.

@3teens2cats

We seem to have totally lost our own ability to risk assess since the pandemic. We have had so many rules and restrictions, which aren't always properly explained to us, so it's understandable we feel this way. My understanding is as follows; a pcr may not be reliable within 90 days of a positive test because that's how long it can potentially pick up an old, no longer infectious, case. Therefore you should not test unless you have good reason to think it's likely you have caught it again. For me this would mean obvious symptoms and a clear path of possible transmission. Regular asymptomatic LFTs are not advised by some places because if you get a positive you need a pcr which could be inaccurate. However an Lft should turn negative within a few weeks of infection so a positive lft should be taken seriously. I am still within 90 days of an infection but have just done a week of LFTs due to a close contact at work. I assessed the situation, read the often conflicting advice on line and made a decision what to do. This morning I have a slight temperature and a headache but i had my booster jab just under 24 hours ago so I won't be going for a pcr because I have a very common side effect and it's most likely that's all it is. Should I get further covid symptoms i would reassess. People on the whole are doing their best to make sensible decisions and apply guidance in the best way they can.

This!!

Same in Scotland

@Moolia

NHS guidance saying get a PCR within 90 days of a positive test if you have new covid symptoms www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing/test-results/positive-test-result/

Government guidance says the same www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test

It's worrying that a lot of people don't know this, apparently including T&T and the NHS!

This is only for the three main symptoms of Covid isn't it? Not for any other symptoms.

I have this situation currently. Ds tested positive a month ago, has started with a new cough yesterday. Phoned 119 for advice this morning and was told not to pcr as highly likely it would come back positive. They advised instead to do daily lateral flows and should one of them be positive, then to get a pcr.
However online it says to test if you have new symptoms! They need to make the guidance crystal clear.

It just says new covid symptoms. Top five symptoms are now runny nose, headache, fatigue (either mild or severe), sneezing, and sore throat.

@Imthecaffeinequeen

I have this situation currently. Ds tested positive a month ago, has started with a new cough yesterday. Phoned 119 for advice this morning and was told not to pcr as highly likely it would come back positive. They advised instead to do daily lateral flows and should one of them be positive, then to get a pcr. However online it says to test if you have new symptoms! They need to make the guidance crystal clear.

So T&T are not only not following NHS guidance in saying you shouldn't get a PCR they're telling you to use LFTs instead, which the NHS says should not be used for symptoms. Why is T&T giving out such bad advice that contradicts NHS guidance?

Why isn't this the sort of thing the press picks up on? This utter shambles.

@Moolia

It just says new covid symptoms. Top five symptoms are now runny nose, headache, fatigue (either mild or severe), sneezing, and sore throat.

Your link you posted on the guidance says the three main symptoms to qualify for a test.

Yes but that's because for some reason they are refusing to update the three symptoms even in the face of all the recommendations and scientific evidence. Current top symptoms are what I listed above.

Actually the government website does not state get a pcr for cold symptoms only cough, fever or loss of taste/smell. There's lots of normal colds going around! Only 12% of pcrs are positive