Multiple positive LFTs, negative PCR

[NearlyAlwaysInsane]

Difficult to know what to do really. As the title says, on Tues I had:

• One extremely faint positive LFT

So I checked with another LFT. It was negative. So, to make my mind up yay or nay, I took another and it was positive.

Next morning, I took another to check and it was a clear positive.

So I did a PCR. It was negative.

But I thought it was weird that a PCR was neg after so many positives. So today I took an LFT. It was positive.

I am now confused. Going for another PCR but wondering if the LFTs are picking something else up. And also, as I've had nose issues I've used the LFTs on the back f my throat rather than in the nose......perhaps that's the issue. Any experience on this welcome.

I know someone who had clear Covid symptoms, several positive LFTs and I think 2 negative PCRs, before she finally got a positive PCR on about day 10 of her illness. Most people, I'm guessing, wouldn't have kept taking PCRs if the first was negative, but she was convinced she had Covid.

2 very close friends (separately, not with each other!) had this happen in October, multiple positive LFTs but several negative PCRs before finally getting a positive PCR. Luckily both are sensible and kept testing.

From my understanding the lateral flow tests need a certain level of viral load to register a positive so it is likely you have covid. Some PCRs are being reported as faulty, either the test is faulty or handling at the lab faulty. I would keep taking PCRs.

On the other hand, negative lateral flows aren't reliable. My DP and I both currently have covid. Both our lateral flows were repeatedly negative although our symptoms were obvious. My PCR was positive before I got a positive lateral flow. I finish isolation on Christmas Day, lateral flow is still positive although the line is very feint.

I think it's time the government said positive is positive regardless of whether it's an LFT OR PCR test. False negatives are much more common than false positives. It's highly, highly unlikely to get several positive LFTs and not have covid.

Totally agree. A friend had two positive lateral flows and a negative PCR. Took that as no need to isolate. Hate to think how many people he has now infected.

@onlyreadingneverposting8

I think it's time the government said positive is positive regardless of whether it's an LFT OR PCR test. False negatives are much more common than false positives. It's highly, highly unlikely to get several positive LFTs and not have covid.

It may be unlikely but I test each time before I meet with people indoors (we don't go out that much and most of my socialising is on the back of a horse where I am very spaced apart from my friend). Over the last 4 months I have now had 7 faint positive LFTs and 7 negative PCRs. It's a bugger because I am having to allow three days for testing every time we go out - to take an LFT and get a positive, get a PCR and wait for the results, and of course not going out in the meantime.

I really don't know what will happen if I want to go on holiday and have to take an LFT at the last mintue before getting on a plane or boat.

Never had any symptoms.

Well the weird thing is I have no symptoms, in fact I've just been for a run!

But I have taken another PCR (fair enough as the latest LFT was faint positive). What a can of worms this has opened! (Is it? Isn't it? Etc etc)

It took me several days and several PCR tests to get a positive PCR (and I took daily PCRs because I was part of a research study) even though all three other members of my household were positive and I had Covid symptoms. With so many positive lateral flow tests you need to assume you have Covid and are asymptomatic. You can repeat the PCR if you would like but you need to start selfisolating and count from the day you first tested positive on lateral flow.

Happening in our house too. Partner tested very faint positive last Saturday - no symptoms apart from a a bit achy - PCR on Sunday was negative. LFTs continued to get darker. Had another PCR yesterday (Wednesday) at 9am and haven’t had the results back yet. Still doesn’t really have any symptoms apart from an achy back and a slight sniffle (me and our two boys have colds but testing negative)
I really can’t call what this new PCR will say to be honest - partner is totally fine in himself , he’s convinced he doesn’t have it but we will see! Hoping the result is with us by tomorrow morning!

DH had the same thing, some faint positive LFTs but no symptoms and a negative PCR.

@ConcernedAuntie are you sure your faint positives are positives and aren't evaporation lines showing in the test. Evaporation lines are a line but won't be coloured but is definitely there.