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Confused about testing after having had Covid

9 replies

ChangingStates · 24/12/2021 08:11

Dd had Covid 2 months ago. Track & trace said no testing for 90 days as tests can still show positive due to dead/trace virus (or something like that) but you are not actually positive / infectious. However the guidance is now you can end isolating on day 7 if you have 2 negative LFTs, that suggests LTF can be used within 90 days. It's conflicting guidance. Is it just PCR you don't do for 90 days but LTF are ok?

Dd has woken up feeling a bit under the weather- snotty nose, dry mouth- and grandparents are coming to stay later today. Don't know whether to LTF or not as don't want to risk them but also don't want to abandon Xmas plans if there was a positive but it's a false one because it's within the 90 days I was told not to test.
So fed up of all this Angry

OP posts:
Bordernotboarder · 24/12/2021 08:12

Not helpful to you but I’m also v confused about this.

ColettesEarrings · 24/12/2021 08:15

You should avoid general routine testing for 90 days unless otherwise instructed. Testing to end positive case isolation early is an example of that. Testing via pcr if you have new symptoms within 90 days is also already in the guidance.

Neolara · 24/12/2021 08:20

I don't know for sure, but Ds has covid and we have been testing him on LF for the last few days. Morning of day 6 he had a strong positive. Morning of day 7 he had a very faint positive. Evening of day 7 it was completely negative.. if he tests positive again in a few weeks, I would definitely consider this a few infection.

GoodnightGrandma · 24/12/2021 08:20

I assume that , if you can’t PCR test, and you have symptoms then you should isolate for 10 days.
But as you say, people are being told to LFT test after a few days.
Very confusing .

makingmiracles · 24/12/2021 08:24

Myself and dp tested negative on lft 4 and 5 days after a positive. 3 weeks later we did one for nativity at school, again neg, I’ve had to do to be able to visit mother in a nursing home, negative.

If we were to test on lft again, now we are 5 weeks post infection, after being negative on lft the past 4weeks, I would consider that re infection and get another pcr.

TulipsGarden · 24/12/2021 08:25

I believe it's because LFTs pick up when you're most infectious, so generally turn negative as the virus fades within you. I've seen loads of pictures on Twitter of people tracking the virus in and out, and it seems to take around 2-10 days to fade in and out again (usually around 4-5).

So if your daughter tested positive now it would almost certainly be a new infection.

PCRs are a lot more sensitive, and can pick up bits of virus that are floating around in your body long after the infection has passed.

Siameasy · 24/12/2021 08:25

You could speak to the Grandparents and ask them what they think. I know my parents would want to see their grandchildren.

ChangingStates · 24/12/2021 08:44

Thanks for your replies everyone, glad I am not the only one a bit confused! From your experiences it would appear a LTF should be a good indicator. A little more searching online and it's what @ColettesEarrings says- govt guidance is still not to test within 90 days unless new symptoms then still don't do LTF just go straight to PCR- under that guidance I need to decide whether snotty nose is new symptoms!
Recalculated days since dds positive - only 34 since testing positive and was also vaccinated (one dose as young teen) 5 days before that so her immunity should be pretty strong, just Omicron throwing a curveball on usual assumptions.

OP posts:
Dozer · 24/12/2021 08:45

False positives are rare. Would test.

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