Why pcr test after getting positive antigen test?

[WhitePhantom]

Hi, DS has got a positive antigen test, and I believe he is now meant to go for a PCR test. All PCR appointments in our area are booked up for tomorrow and Christmas day, and I'm wondering why does he actually need to get a PCR test? He's vaccinated, we know he's positive, he's isolating... what will a PCR test give us?? Thanks! 😊

If you plan to go away or to any event that need a Covid passport then you'll need evidence of recovery within last 90 days, you may also need that for school as proof of why he does not need to PCR test for next 90 days.

We don’t need PCR tests here LFT positive and recorded result is enough.

No one checks.

Nothing to stop a few dishonest people doing tests to get passports I suppose!

That’s going to be the new direction, those who were doing PCR tests are now being utilized for vaccinations.

Thanks all. @HalfShrunkMoreToGo he's hoping to visit friends abroad mid Jan, so should obvs be well clear by then. He has his covid passport from having been vaccinated, so is there any implication in not getting a PCR test?

There's no official record anywhere that he's positive, and surely lots of people have been positive without ever even knowing, so if he doesn't get a PCR test... so what? Does it actually matter?

I'm / he's not trying to get out of going for a PCR test, but we're not clear as to what the benefits are.

Only Tesla son would be king Covid being a possibly.

Only reason would be long Covid being a possibly!!!

@BluebellsGreenbells how does a PCR test help on the case of long covid?

I checked again and some time slots had come available for Christmas morning, so we're booked in.

I'm still not sure why though 🤔

You can test positive for up to 90 days on a PCR test, so once you've had covid you're excused from having another PCR test (unless you have new symptoms) for 90 days. So, it's good to have the positive test logged on his NHS app.

With long covid it will obviously be easier to get a diagnosis if a positive covid result is logged on his medical records, which it will be with a positive PCR result.

PCR is more accurate than LFT.

These are the main reasons.

From what I've gathered while reading up last week (full household got covid) a pcr needs to be recorded as positive for you to be able to access long covid clinics/treatments for long covid. Obviously if you don't have the pcr technically your NHS records won't show you've had covid so doctors can't be certain and treat whatever potential issues you have from long covid as that. Its more of an 'incase' for the future type thing I think OP

Thanks for your answers, it makes a bit more sense to me now 😊

@WhitePhantom

Thanks all. *@HalfShrunkMoreToGo* he's hoping to visit friends abroad mid Jan, so should obvs be well clear by then. He has his covid passport from having been vaccinated, so is there any implication in not getting a PCR test?

There's no official record anywhere that he's positive, and surely lots of people have been positive without ever even knowing, so if he doesn't get a PCR test... so what? Does it actually matter?

I'm / he's not trying to get out of going for a PCR test, but we're not clear as to what the benefits are.

If he wants to travel to somewhere requiring pre-departure testing then he'd be wise to get a PCR test now so that there's an official "start date" for his infection. It's possible to keep testing positive on PCR for many weeks, but some airlines/countries will let you fly with a negative test if you're sufficiently far from your original diagnosis and have a doctor's cert to say you're all good.

I tested positive in an LFT on Tuesday, just had my PCR result back this evening and it's negative.

Always worthwhile validating an LFT test with a more accurate PCR.

@ChequerBoard

I tested positive in an LFT on Tuesday, just had my PCR result back this evening and it's negative.

Always worthwhile validating an LFT test with a more accurate PCR.

@ChequerBoard The only person I know that this happened to wasn’t convinced by the negative PCR and went back for a second PCR that was indeed positive….

What can cause a false positive LFT?

Part of the reason must be stats I guess.

@ChuckMater

From what I've gathered while reading up last week (full household got covid) a pcr needs to be recorded as positive for you to be able to access long covid clinics/treatments for long covid. Obviously if you don't have the pcr technically your NHS records won't show you've had covid so doctors can't be certain and treat whatever potential issues you have from long covid as that. Its more of an 'incase' for the future type thing I think OP

Yeah plus if you need hospital treatment for
Covid better than they know you have it. LFTs aren't as accurate so you would need swabbed again for diagnose on going to hospital.