Lateral flow test help

SRay1990 · 2021-12-20T16:28:52+00:00

Hey, Me and my son took a lateral flow as he was feeling a bit under the weather, sore throat, tiredness, coughing all night. Anyway, took a LF and his has come up negative but with a pink background? Mine is negative with a clear background. Anyone had this? Is it normal? I’ve read that someone was positive when they had this. Thanks in advance

joopy79 · 20/12/2021 16:29

Can you post a photo?

PurpleDaisies · 20/12/2021 16:30

He’s done a pcr and is isolating as well, isn’t he? You’re not just relying on a lateral flow?

That pink background thing is quite common.

dementedpixie · 20/12/2021 16:31

If he was coughing all night he should be doing a PCR

Elieza · 20/12/2021 17:00

If you are in the U.K. and have symptoms (a cough is one) you MUST get a pcr test. Lft tests are not so accurate.

You should know this by now, the message about testing when symptomatic has been around for over a year.

Get one booked for him asap.

I’m in Scotland and the whole household has to isolate meanwhile. It may be different where you are if in England or another part of the U.K.

Check on the government website re testing for yourself as you are a close contact, as is anyone else in the household group. Again as I’m in Scotland, laws here may be different from where you are.

Original poster

SRay1990 · 20/12/2021 17:49

@joopy79

Can you post a photo?

I do have a photo, just not sure bow to upload? I’m on my phone but not on the app and there is no option to upload photo

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PurpleDaisies · 20/12/2021 17:50

If you’re new, you have to wait a little while.

Is he isolating?
Has he done a pcr?

Original poster

SRay1990 · 20/12/2021 18:04

Thanks for being patronising guys!

I haven’t been hid under a rock for the past 2 years!

I do know when to get a PCR booked.
Just thought it was best to do a lateral flow first.

It was a question about pink background on lateral flow.

Thanks to those who answered without mentioning a PCR like I’m a child!

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dementedpixie · 20/12/2021 18:12

As long as there isn't a 2nd line then it's a negative test

PurpleDaisies · 20/12/2021 18:13

@SRay1990

Thanks for being patronising guys!

I haven’t been hid under a rock for the past 2 years!

I do know when to get a PCR booked.
Just thought it was best to do a lateral flow first.

It was a question about pink background on lateral flow.

Thanks to those who answered without mentioning a PCR like I’m a child!

People aren’t all doing pcrs and isolating for coughs. I’m glad you’re following the rules.

Elieza · 20/12/2021 18:18

Seems like a waste of a lateral flow test to me and discomfort twice for the individual concerned, when you have to get a pcr anyway!

What did you think a lateral flow test prior would show? How would it help anything?

TeeBee · 20/12/2021 18:20

The last one I did was pink OP.

ewchoc · 20/12/2021 18:52

I got a pink background on every lateral flow. The rest of the family's were always white. It doesn't seem to have anything to do with whether you have covid or not (we all caught it, but we know when & who from so I know my negative ones were accurate, as were the positive ones, and they were all pink). I read somewhere that it can be caused by acid and I do have reflux. I'm also generally snotty (allergies, hayfever etc) so wondered if that had something to do with it. DH thought I was flooding them by dropping on more than 4 drops of the solution, but I was really careful after that and still pink.

Original poster

SRay1990 · 20/12/2021 19:19

@ewchoc

I got a pink background on every lateral flow. The rest of the family's were always white. It doesn't seem to have anything to do with whether you have covid or not (we all caught it, but we know when & who from so I know my negative ones were accurate, as were the positive ones, and they were all pink). I read somewhere that it can be caused by acid and I do have reflux. I'm also generally snotty (allergies, hayfever etc) so wondered if that had something to do with it. DH thought I was flooding them by dropping on more than 4 drops of the solution, but I was really careful after that and still pink.

Yeah my lad is generally snotty aswell so maybe that could be why! Thank you for replying x

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Original poster

SRay1990 · 20/12/2021 19:22

@Elieza

Seems like a waste of a lateral flow test to me and discomfort twice for the individual concerned, when you have to get a pcr anyway!

What did you think a lateral flow test prior would show? How would it help anything?

And why is it a concern of yours for the discomfort for the individual. Shouldn’t that be my concern? None of your business anyway, but my son asked to have a lateral flow test just to be on the safe side as I took one aswell as I know I’ve been around someone with Covid and I’m doubled jabbed and know to take a test every day for 7 - 10 days after being exposed. Happy now? Or is it still a waste of a lateral flow?

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