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Covid

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Original poster

Multiple positive LFTs but negative PCR?

38 replies

Ellie1311 · 20/12/2021 22:27

So my partner started to complain of a sore throat on Friday night and by Saturday said he felt achey. On Saturday night he had a faint positive lateral flow. We booked PCRs for us both for the Sunday as well as our two kids as they are full of cold so thought we’d all get checked to be safe. Sunday morning before we went for our PCRs he was positive on a lateral flow again - I did one from the same batch and it was negative. On Monday morning we had some LFTs through the post so a different batch - again he tested a faint positive and myself and the kids tested negative. We were so sure that his PCR would come through positive so I’m so shocked that it’s actually come back negative tonight along with ours.
Symptom wise he is still feeling slightly achey but he has no cold or headache symptoms at all and isn’t fatigued. We are double jabbed but not boosted as of yet.

I’ve attached picture of todays test …his is top and mine is at the bottom.

Do we take this positive PCR as definite? Or do you think it is wise to isolate and test on the laterals for another couple of days and then get another pcr?

I’ve never heard of this happening before - more like the other way around so

Multiple positive LFTs but negative PCR?

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Original poster

Ellie1311 · 20/12/2021 22:28

Sorry it should say should we take this negative PCR as definite!!!

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steppemum · 20/12/2021 22:30

but both of those tests look negative to me?

You need 2 lines to be positive and I can only see one?

Pickledlipstick · 20/12/2021 22:32

They are negative??

TheOpen · 20/12/2021 22:33

They are negative. Looks like you're in the clear

WhiskeyInTheJar33 · 20/12/2021 22:34

If PCR has come back negative then I would go with that! Lateral flows aren't that accurate and the ones in your photo look negative to me also.

explodingeyes · 20/12/2021 22:35

I'd class that as negative. I can see the faintest pink on top one but positive ones I've seen are a much much clearer line

BlackCatz · 20/12/2021 22:35

I'd take that as a negative and move on.

Satsumay · 20/12/2021 22:36

I can see the line. With symptoms and several positive LTFs it's likely he has it. He should isolate and retest in 2 or 3 more days. If he then gets a positive PCR result the isolation will begin from the day after first symptoms.

There are several of us on here who've had positive LTFs followed by negative PCRs. But with symptoms I think it's more likely just too early for the PCR to pick it up. Not sure why as they're meant to be more accurate.

Satsumay · 20/12/2021 22:37

I'm in a dark room with phone brightness very low so that might be why I can see it and others can't.

ReggaeTramp · 20/12/2021 22:39

This happened to my husband - faint line like yours. First PCR negative - he had symptoms so booked another to double check the next day. Came back positive.
On Day 9 of his isolation my LFT came back positive. PCR negative. It’s been suggested we tested too early on PCRs. I’ve done another PCR today and am taking whatever this says as definitive!

Original poster

Ellie1311 · 20/12/2021 22:40

Thanks everyone. The line is definitely there on the top one. The one on the bottom is mine (negative) - you may need to zoom in on the photo I’ve also attached a closer version of the one I took on Saturday night.
I will take above advice and get him to re test in a couple of days. I’m so worried about passing anything on as his mum has just gotten over cancer and we have a premature nephew who we’d be mixing with over Christmas so we just need to make sure that he’s ok!!

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Original poster

Ellie1311 · 20/12/2021 22:41

…

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uhohspaghettiohh · 20/12/2021 22:42

I can see it. Hope he's feeling better soon. I'd do another PCR in a few days x

Original poster

Ellie1311 · 20/12/2021 22:44

@ReggaeTramp

This happened to my husband - faint line like yours. First PCR negative - he had symptoms so booked another to double check the next day. Came back positive. On Day 9 of his isolation my LFT came back positive. PCR negative. It’s been suggested we tested too early on PCRs. I’ve done another PCR today and am taking whatever this says as definitive!

I’m wondering if he’s in the very early stages too and that’s why it’s come back negative but then it’s so confusing because I thought they were more sensitive? I will get him to stay home and do another PCR on Wednesday. Hope you turn out negative!

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donquixotedelamancha · 20/12/2021 22:59

We had this with DD1, sent her back to school only for her PCR to be positive the next day.

Ultimately you are sticking things up your nose and trying to catch tiny particles- it doesn't always work.

massiveblob · 21/12/2021 00:02

On that second photo now I can see it I'd assume it's been positive recently or just developing. On my DC one it was more clear than that within 30 sec

Original poster

Ellie1311 · 21/12/2021 07:04

@massiveblob

On that second photo now I can see it I'd assume it's been positive recently or just developing. On my DC one it was more clear than that within 30 sec

Yes the line never got any darker and it took a good 15 minutes for the line to develop. This is why we thought could it have been a dodgy batch but then ours were totally negative. It’s just so confusing but then it does say any line no matter how faint is a positive?

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Laurel1 · 21/12/2021 07:04

I had 4 positive lateral flows from different batches over 2 days. 2 pcrs were unreadable and 2 were negative. I isolated as I refused to believe that I didn't have it at some point. I also felt rough as anything. These were all my blatantly positive tests.....

Original poster

Ellie1311 · 21/12/2021 08:40

@Laurel1

Oh wow yes how on earth did you get a negative PCR with those being so positive ??? It’s just so confusing.

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Original poster

Ellie1311 · 21/12/2021 10:08

Test from this morning - still faint but still positive . He’s isolating and going for another PCR tomorrow. He’s woken up with a slight cold. We’re all still testing negative. I just don’t know what to think.

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bedtimescrolling · 21/12/2021 15:37

The rule is generally if you get a positive LF then you are very likely to have Covid - unlikely to be a false positive. Even if your PCR is negative.

NotquitewhatImeant · 21/12/2021 15:45

We had a faint positive lft then negative PCR. We were advised to test again in 48hr and sure enough the second test was positive

freckles20 · 21/12/2021 15:58

This happened to my friend. She booked a second PCR as she was baffled, and that one came back positive 🤷🏻‍♀️.

If it was me I'd err on side of caution especially due to your vulnerable mum.

ReggaeTramp · 21/12/2021 16:16

My second PCR also negative. I have no clue what is going on! Now showing positive on LFT still but so faint you can barely see it. No idea if I’m meant to be isolating. Wondering if I still need to wait a month to get my booster!

Original poster

Ellie1311 · 21/12/2021 16:49

@ReggaeTramp

That is so strange. I have a feeling my partners will be negative too. - if it is I’m going to ring 119 and get some advice. Although I have a feeling they’ll tell us to self isolate anyway. Can I ask which brand you tested positive on? Partner is testing multiple positives on the fast flow blue packet brand but negative on the green and white brand?

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