Get DM tested?

[LoveGoldberg]

My mum started with symptoms last Sunday (12/12/21) she has isolated at home unable to get to a test centre and unable to get a postal test. I now have my car back from the garage and there’s an appointment I could take her to tomorrow, she still has symptoms. (I would risk it with masks and windows open, I had it about a month ago and am triple jabbed). She’s done negative lateral flows throughout. If I take her for the test tomorrow and it’s positive then it must be that she’s had it since at least last Sunday as she’s been completely alone since then.

Would she have to isolate 10 days from tomorrow or last Sunday if it was positive? She wants the test because she wants to be certain she’s had it- she’s anxious about getting it so I think would be relieved if this was it, but is worried about then being stuck in another 10 days if she’s no longer contagious.

If the symptoms started more than 5 days ago - an automatic 5 days is added to test date for isolation, or it should if the form is filled out correctly by either yourself or T&T.
Hope she’s ok.

She’s fine! She doesn’t even feel poorly anymore she’s just irritated by the symptoms.
How long after symptoms starting is she likely to test positive?

I think it might almost be too late now for her to rely on the result of a PCR. Why don't you just assume she has it and she can isolate for a few more days rather than you risk taking her?

You can always do an antibody test later to see if she actually had it.

@LoveGoldberg

She’s fine! She doesn’t even feel poorly anymore she’s just irritated by the symptoms. How long after symptoms starting is she likely to test positive?

Can be up to 90 days.

I’m not saying she should get tested - just what the outcome will be if she does test and her symptoms started more than 5 days ago.

@Grimbelina that’s what I think would be best but because of how anxious she is about catching it her finding out she has definitely had it would make her feel better because it wouldn’t have been as bad as she expected. I think even if she knew someone she had seen had tested positive it would convince her that she definitely had it and then she would relax slightly.

Can be up to 90 days
I might take her Boxing Day - treat her to 10 days off work after Christmas 😂

I was told (by GP friend) not to take a relative for a test 10 days after symptoms started as there might be only a 50% chance of the PCR being positive at that point (so would give a false neg) if that helps.