Self isolation - confused on dates!

[Rosebell75]

Hi

I’m confused on when my self isolation is deemed to have started!

DH in contact with someone positive on Saturday 11th, he started with symptoms next day and tested positive on LFT on Monday 13tb (and subsequently PCR too)

I started symptoms that day too ie Monday 13th (cold, achy, slight temp, bit of a cough etc) but still showing negative on LFTs. I had PCR on Tuesday with a negative result back on Wednesday.

Been negative on LFTs still until this morning which showed a faint positive. However I was convinced I’ve had it all along as symptoms got progressively worse since last Monday with proper flu, headache, worsening cough etc.

My question is when do I count my first day of symptoms for self isolating purposes? Theoretically I’ve had these since Monday 13th but does the fact I had a negative PCR after then change the start date?

So confused!

I've had this dilemma. Dp had covid and I had symptoms days before I got a positive result all my pcr and lft's were negative. But after I actually tested positive I developed some new symptoms so I did it from positive test. There's a possibility you had another virus last week.

If you do a pcr test and trace will ring up and confirm when your isolation ends. They won't really take negative tests into consideration if you had symptoms. It might have been just too soon to detect it - this happens a lot.

But I would be cautious.

Thanks @AD80. I’m self isolating away from rest of family already as was convinced I had it and perhaps was too early to show on the tests so will just continue doing that and wait for another PCR.

Hopefully test and trace can confirm dates as you say too 🤞🏼

I had exactly the same situation, but took the pcr on wed and was negative. Symptoms all over the weekend and tested pos on lf on Mon (followed my pos pcr). I'm isolating until tomorrow but still feeling quite cold like symptoms.

Did you get an answer on when to stop isolating? Are you still feeling ill or getting positive lft?

X

Hi @Wimle. Sorry to hear you’re unwell too.

I had a positive PCR on Monday and as symptoms had been registered since the previous week I was told to self isolate until Xmas day.

I’ve now had negative LFTs for last two days which in theory should mean I can end my self isolation early. Still have some symptoms but no temperature etc which is the only one they tell you to continue self isolating with.

However, even more confused now as after a negative LFT again this morning, I took another one (god knows why!) at lunchtime and that’s showing a faint positive! Just took another one and that’s also showing a really faint positive (have to really squint and hold it in bright light to see anything).

Is that because the virus can still show up after recovery or does that mean I still have it and might be contagious? I’m not planning to end my self isolation early just in case but all very frustrating nonetheless!