Negative PCR but I think it’s wrong

[HeechulOppa]

I just wanted to garner people’s opinions really. My ds (9) came down with Covid on Friday 17th. A third of his class are off with it, including his best friend who he’s joined at the hip with. Best friend’s whole family since tested positive. DS was very symptomatic and poorly with many (omicron?) symptoms - cough, temperature, sore throat, runny nose, stomach ache. His pcr came back positive.

On Sunday dh (double jabbed, no booster) developed the same symptoms but LFT were negative. He was doing them every day. He was, and still is, poorly.

On Tuesday Night I started having symptoms the same as dh/ ds. On Weds morning Dh and I both got pos Lateral flow tests. We have been poorly since. DH’s LFT came back Positive instantly - mine took the full half hour. Also, since Thursday we have Had no taste or smell. Tonight Our pcr results came back- his are positive and mine are negative.

Possibly relevant I had the booster the day before my son had symptoms/ positive LFT, but still only a few days before I became ill.

Honestly I 100% think the results are wrong and that I DO have covid. This evening I did a different LFT and it was also positive- and the results came quicker. I’ve ordered another pcr but am worried Christmas delays may mean I may not get it in time if I only have a mild case.

I know it sounds really stupid but I am upset about this. I am certain I have Covid and dammit I want it on my medical records! I think also I felt reassured that having covid now, and us not being too badly affected, was a good thing.

Other points -

I used two different LFT brands - neither or them were FlowFlex

I did take the pcr correctly (and the LFTs for that matter)

I am continuing to isolate regardless.

Thanks for getting this far - it’s just really stressing me out as I know I do have Covid!

Tl;dr - Whole family develop strong covid symptoms (Suspect omicron due to symptoms) and all have positive LFTs, all are ill with it but my pcr is the only negative one and I don’t believe that’s correct due to symptoms and repeated positive LFTs.

Pcr aren’t 100 accurate.

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

I had a few negative PCR tests when I had Covid at the beginning of the illness. I took daily PCRs as part of a research study and was surprised that it took several days to actually test positive. I was already selfisolating because I knew I had it anyway. If you want it on your medical records take another PCR test.

Repeat the PCR

Sounds very likely to be a false negative. Could have been too early or just a lab issue. I would redo the PCR.

With two positive LFTs and confirmed cases in your household, I think it’s definitely safe to assume that the PCR was a false negative and act accordingly.

I think with both types of tests, false negatives are much more common that false positives. Like with pregnancy tests, the test is picking up on something to give that positive line, no matter how faint it is.

Hope you feel better soon.

I had two separate positive LFTs from different boxes an hour apart but a negative PCR.
I've got a cough, headache, sore throat etc.
Covid is rife in our rural community and I was the only one who didn't go on the work Christmas party to a crowded hotel party night so m a bit annoyed.
I've isolated myself just in case. Luckily I'm off until the 3rd and had nothing planned except packing to move.

Sounds like a false negative.

Know what you mean with wanting it to be on your record. Make sure you register the LFTs as positives. At least it’s logged somewhere. These results appear in you covid pass on nhs app. If you click domestic or travel then scroll down to view covid records and it’s registered there. Apologies if you know this already!

It does seem, particularly with Omicron that there is a small time window of when you test positive, so could be you tested too early or too late. I appreciate you want to know one way or another, I would be the same.

Thanks everyone for your replies, they’ve made me feel better!! I guess I needed some reassurance because given the circumstances being negative is virtually impossible but I thought I was going crazy! A few people have (very kindly) suggested maybe I was feeling ill because of general exhaustion and I just wanted to shout ‘no, it’s covid!’ but with a negative PCR it kinda made me feel like I was deluded.

Just thought I’d update that I did get a second pcr test and it was positive, in case the same happens to anyone else.

@HeechulOppa

Just thought I’d update that I did get a second pcr test and it was positive, in case the same happens to anyone else.

Good! In the nicest possible way, not wishing covid on you but I felt the same need to be almost 'vindicated' with the correct answer and want it on my records too. I tested negative by PCR on the 25th december, felt awful on the 26th and then tested positive by PCR on the 27th. Having definitely been exposed to it for the few days before as my daughter had it. Three other family members tested negative on the 25th too and each tested positive on 28th or 29th by PCR. It can change fast even when you are sure you've got it.

I've had friends test 3 times before a pcr positive. I only tested once and got a negative and didn't repeat as I definitely had it when dd did . Doesn't need to be on your medical record, loads of people have had it without a positive test