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Original poster

Void inconclusive pcr

26 replies

ChristmasAtHogwarts · 20/12/2021 19:58

Anyone know what causes this, and what I can do to avoid it next time? It’s on a child and I would rather make sure we don’t have to go through it yet again!!

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bonkersbirdie · 20/12/2021 19:59

DD (8) had this last week. When we went back I made sure I was a bit firmer with the swab as she was a bit reluctant the next time. Came back positive though unfortunately. Hope your child gets a negative and you can enjoy Christmas.

bonkersbirdie · 20/12/2021 20:00

*reluctant the first time.

genome · 20/12/2021 20:01

You might have done nothing wrong and they made a mistake with the test sample or there was a technical error.
Obviously make sure you have swabbed as directed and don't touch the swab with hands or on any surfaces. But other than that there shouldn't be a problem.

Original poster
ChristmasAtHogwarts · 20/12/2021 20:02

Oh god it’s so horrible when they’re already poorly.

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Original poster
ChristmasAtHogwarts · 20/12/2021 20:05

And thank you for the well wishes and relies by the way :)

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QuiltedHippo · 20/12/2021 20:05

I had to do the baby today and she's very snotty and they said to be careful not to get any snot on the swab or it can be inconclusive. Quite hard when they can't blow their nose

Original poster
ChristmasAtHogwarts · 20/12/2021 20:06

Oh dear.. he does have a runny nose too but he can’t blow his nose either. I can’t believe after 2 years someone hasn’t invented an easier test for kids.

If I invent one I’ll be a millionaire!!

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Moolia · 20/12/2021 20:08

My DD had this and I think it was either snot or the fact that there was much less liquid than usual in the testube thingy in the first kit.

ChipsAreLife · 20/12/2021 20:09

We had two in a row with DD! I did my other two at same time who came back with results but hers took three attempts! No idea why. Her sister was positive which is why I kept going back!

Metalhead · 20/12/2021 20:21

ChipsAreLife we had exactly the same with DD1, who was completely asymptotic - two invalid PCRs, followed by a positive on third attempt! Bizarre.

AlistairCamel · 20/12/2021 20:25

I got one for myself at the weekend! I felt like it was the most thorough I had been as well!

Original poster
ChristmasAtHogwarts · 20/12/2021 20:31

Is inconclusive likely to be positive at a later date or could it go either way?

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ponygirlcurtis · 20/12/2021 20:37

Both me and DS had an inconclusive test followed by a positive one. On both occasions the test was done just before symptoms appeared (younger DS was already positive) so I wonder if it was related to that.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 20/12/2021 20:44

@QuiltedHippo

I had to do the baby today and she's very snotty and they said to be careful not to get any snot on the swab or it can be inconclusive. Quite hard when they can't blow their nose
When I had my last PCR test I was told I didn't need to blow my nose, it doesn't make any difference.
Original poster
ChristmasAtHogwarts · 20/12/2021 20:58

His symptoms started Friday / Saturday and he had a high temp all Saturday night before his test on Sunday.. he’s actually much better now but I feel I need to be responsible if he sees anyone over Xmas. Dh did the test and said it definitely wasn’t done for the recommended time as ds was retching snd crying Sad

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bonkersbirdie · 20/12/2021 21:49

How old is DS? Under 11 don't have to do their tonsils just do both nostrils instead.

Original poster
ChristmasAtHogwarts · 20/12/2021 21:55

He’s 7, the guy at the test centre said he had to do tonsils which is what he struggles with I think?

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PinkSparklyPussyCat · 20/12/2021 22:01

Even DH was allowed to only swab his nostrils as he couldn’t stand having his tonsils swabbed.

bonkersbirdie · 20/12/2021 22:45

Yeah you can definitely do just both nostrils because that's what I did on dd last week. It was a drive through one rather than a walk in so they just leave you to do it in your own time instead of watching over you.

The guy showing us where to park etc said to let dd insert it up each nostril herself and then for us to do the twisting part to make sure it was done properly. Much less upsetting for everyone involved. She just climbed into the front and we listened to Christmas songs while we did it.

Jackiebrambles · 20/12/2021 23:06

I got an inconclusive test result, on my own test, in sept. My dh had a strong positive lft and symptoms so I knew covid was in our house. I knew my technique was ok as I’d done pcrs before. I went back for a second test and it was positive.

mountainshadow · 20/12/2021 23:30

You poor thing! What a frustrating experience. Our family had 2 inconclusive ones, 1 turned out to be positive and the other negative. Have also asked staff since if we can just do the nostrils instead of tonsils for the kids and no inconclusive tests since. Good luck!

Maryann1975 · 20/12/2021 23:41

We had three inconclusive tests a while ago. The 3 dc (10, 13 and 15) have always done their own tests With no problems, but because oldest had so many symptoms and felt so Poorly I swabbed her that time. So I knew the test had been done correctly, but all 3 came back inconclusive, mine was negative.

We had to go back for retesting and I mentioned to the staff member that the results from the day before wer inconclusive and was told we weren’t the first people that day who had gone back for retesting. He wondered if there had been a problem in the lab.

From the retest, one positive, 2 negative (as expected based on symptoms/lack of).

Original poster
ChristmasAtHogwarts · 21/12/2021 12:17

Dh took ds back today and tested again using only the nostrils. The staff said over 4s had to have their throats done too but dh didn’t bother. Please cross your fingers it’s negative for us.

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Original poster
ChristmasAtHogwarts · 22/12/2021 21:03

UPDATE
we repeated the pcr using nostrils only and it is negative!! I did a lateral flow in the meantime whilst waiting for results also negative. Thanks for your help everyone x

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AD80 · 22/12/2021 21:13

It might not be your fault, might be an issue out of your control.

My son is autistic and testing him is hell. The swab we done on him was very quick and only a couple seconds just doing the nose. He still got a positive result!

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