Do I really need to take my son for PCR?

[edenhills]

Me, DH and DD have all tested positive for covid and are isolating. DS (11) has a temperature and just got a positive lateral flow. Is there any reason to take him for PCR test when we are sure he has covid? Me and DH are completely wiped out and don't want to move. My brain is mush though so wondered if there is a reason I can't think of?

I'd get a postal test just so it is recorded on his NHS records, might be useful in the future for all sorts of reasons.

If you plan to go away anywhere in the next 3 months you'll want it on his records so it can be used as a recovery certificate.

In a similar situation this summer, we didn't. DC was already isolating along with us, so I didn't see what more it would achieve having the PCR result confirmed. We extended their isolation period by the appropriate number of days.

Yes it needs to be recorded as he may continue to test positive for a while after he gets better.

Thanks everyone. I just realised they test at his secondary school. Will they need the PCR results to stop this? Otherwise he will get false positive on his return?

when he returns just send them an email saying he's just had covid so wont be testing for 90 days.

Personally I wpuld want it on his medical records so would test. Home test if you need to.

Postal? I know it takes a few days longer but it's not like you are going very far anyway!

I think there are benefits. Having a confirmed positive pcr will mean exempt from routine testing for 90 days.

Totally get it though. We've all had covid and going to and from test centre was exhausting. Dp caught it first. Me and dc had symptoms and negative tests for a few days before positives.

If I see a swab or test centre anytime soon again I'll scream 😅

I'd get a home test, but wouldn't drag yourself out to a walk-in.

Good to have it recorded for all the reasons already given.

@edenhills

Thanks everyone. I just realised they test at his secondary school. Will they need the PCR results to stop this? Otherwise he will get false positive on his return?

They might take your word for it- but a positive PCR is the only way to prove it.

He could test positive for a long while afterwards, so a formal positive test could be needed to explain future positives and avoid unnecessary isolation, or not being allowed on a plane or into an event (plus who knows what other situations will require a negative test in the future).

Also, if he becomes eligible for a jab the guidelines for young people are now to wait 3 months after a Covid infection- again a formal positive will help you navigate this.

I've also read that a positive PCR is needed to access long Covid clinics- not sure how true this is though....

Medical records… do a postal test!

I would get the home test just in case he has any complications and needs medical care later.

I'd do a postal PCR for the records unless there is a good reason why not. And treat him as if he has had a positive PCR in the meantime.

Go on the gov website and order a postal one, then get someone (friend, family, neighbour etc) to pick it up to post back. I think you can be fairly confident of the result, but it is useful to have it on official record.

Get a home test posted to you. It will help him to know either way when returning to school, so that he won’t need to test then.

Thanks everyone I've sent for a postal one.

It might be useful for the future if they have to tighten things up. I guess he hasn't had any vaccines, so having a positive test result he might be entitled to some form of certificate of recovery if it gets bad enough that we have to restrict unvaccinated from places. If you're not up to going out, order a postal pcr.