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Covid

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Original poster

Are we still infectious? Day 13 of positive LFTs

26 replies

Alyosha · 28/12/2021 14:54

We all come down with Covid recently. I was patient 0, positive lateral flow 2 days after cold like symptoms. DS 2, 4.5 months, was next 2 days after my positive. DH and DS1 aged 3 remained asymptomatic and had negative LFTs, we stopped testing them.

We tested everyone today as we were due to see my parents. But DS1 and DS2 both have faint lines! DS2 is 13 days post his first symptoms and DS1 we have no idea about as has no symptoms and we last tested him over a week ago. The guidance is 10 days of self isolation which we are embarking on again due to DS2's positive test but can we take DS1 out? Is he going to infect anyone? Luckily both us adults are negative and get out of the house.

OP posts:

dementedpixie · 28/12/2021 15:17

You dont need a negative LFT to leave isolation if you've done your 10 days.

dementedpixie · 28/12/2021 15:21

Sorry misunderstood.
If DS1 has a positive test then he needs to isolate
DS2 shouldn't have tested so soon after a positive PCR

Mindymomo · 28/12/2021 15:29

Have any of you had PCR tests?

Original poster

Alyosha · 28/12/2021 15:46

Only me and DH. DH negative. Couldn't be fussed with putting our poorly baby through a PCR. Might consider PCR'ing the 3 year old but not sure we can be bothered - we know he's positive and we're following the 10 day isolation rule....if he tests negative on day 6 and day 7 we will leave.

I'm more worried that even though it's day 13 and we can leave isolation for DS2 we shouldn't because he might infect someone?

OP posts:

dementedpixie · 28/12/2021 16:04

Ds2 won't be infectious if he has done his 10 days

thetinsoldier · 28/12/2021 16:06

Yes, your ds could be infections - if you don't know when his day zero was.

My Dad tested positive on day 10 after Mum tested positive, just before Christmas...

Original poster

Alyosha · 28/12/2021 16:07

I know for sure when DS2 had day 0, but I thought LFTs were really good at showing when you're infectious, so even though he's day 13, surely he is still infectious with a positive LFT?

DS1 we are unsure about when day 0 was so will take first positive LFT as day 0.

OP posts:

dementedpixie · 28/12/2021 16:09

www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection says

You should not take any moreLFDtests after the 10th day of your isolation period and you may stop self-isolating after this day. This is because you are unlikely to be infectious after the 10th day of your isolation period. Even if you have a positiveLFDtest result on the 10th day of your self-isolation period you should not take any moreLFDtests after this day. If you are concerned you may choose to keep following the above advice until 14 days after the start of your self-isolation period.

WorstXmasEver · 28/12/2021 16:10

Yes. You isolate until you get negative lfts & you could kill someone if you don't.

I only had 2 positive lfts & a positive pcr on day 1 & still did the 10 days isolation.

BoredatHome321 · 28/12/2021 16:12

@WorstXmasEver

Yes. You isolate until you get negative lfts & you could kill someone if you don't.

I only had 2 positive lfts & a positive pcr on day 1 & still did the 10 days isolation.

It's just not the rules though is it.

Original poster

Alyosha · 28/12/2021 16:12

@dementedpixie great thank you! Just what I was looking for.

I will show my parents and see if they'll accept me coming over with DS2 for a night or two.

OP posts:

dementedpixie · 28/12/2021 16:13

@WorstXmasEver

Yes. You isolate until you get negative lfts & you could kill someone if you don't.

I only had 2 positive lfts & a positive pcr on day 1 & still did the 10 days isolation.

No you don't. Stop making up rules

WorstXmasEver · 28/12/2021 16:14

Also...all of my positive lfts were faint lines. Was still a positive pcr.

WorstXmasEver · 28/12/2021 16:16

So you're saying to ignore a positive test? You can still have covid after 10 days.

Why risk it?

BoredatHome321 · 28/12/2021 16:17

@WorstXmasEver

So you're saying to ignore a positive test? You can still have covid after 10 days.

Why risk it?

You can have a positive test for 90 days. Do you want to isolate for 3 months?

dementedpixie · 28/12/2021 16:18

@WorstXmasEver

So you're saying to ignore a positive test? You can still have covid after 10 days.

Why risk it?

They can pick up the old fragments of virus and show positive even when no longer contagious. You arent supposed to test after your isolation period had ended unless you get new symptoms

Abraxan · 28/12/2021 16:24

@WorstXmasEver

Yes. You isolate until you get negative lfts & you could kill someone if you don't.

I only had 2 positive lfts & a positive pcr on day 1 & still did the 10 days isolation.

This is not the guidance.

Your isolation ends on day 10 (day 0 being the date of test or day symptoms started, whichever is earliest) You do not need to have a negative LFT to leave isolation if 10 days plus.

Ds2 should have only done a test if he had new symptoms ideally. I think officially as it's a new test and after 10 days he is supposed to restart, well if a pcr test is positive, but it could also be residual virus from the initial infection.

Ds1 will need to isolate for 10 days, although can finish it early if he tests negative in days 6 and 7.

thetigerthatcamefortea · 28/12/2021 16:25

My 11 year old daughter has been told by school not to do a LTF test for 90 days following her positive case I'm guessing for this reason.

PoleFairy · 28/12/2021 16:31

You don't isolate until you get a negative lft @worstXmasEver are you insane?! It's not unheard of to get positive lft and PCR tests for 3 months after having covid. That's partly why if you get a positive lft you should get a PCR. Then you can add your positive PCR to your nhs app to prove you have recently recovered from covid so if you do get positive lateral flow when you need to travoe or something then you can show on your covid passport you have recently recovered from covid.

ItsSnowJokes · 28/12/2021 16:35

@WorstXmasEver

Yes. You isolate until you get negative lfts & you could kill someone if you don't.

I only had 2 positive lfts & a positive pcr on day 1 & still did the 10 days isolation.

This is bullshit. You isolate for 10 days or you can leave isolation sooner if you have negative lfts on day 6 and day 7. If you had to isolate until negative lfts you could be isolating for 90 days!

Your son is free to leave isolation after 10 days if you are sure of the date of infection or go by date of positive pcr test.

WorstXmasEver · 28/12/2021 22:32

I totally disagree with you lot & i isolated for 10 days after my 1st negative test.

I would suggest that perhaps your method isn't working seeing as there are around 150k cases today.

If you're still getting positive lateral flow tests then you still have the virus. False positives are very rare from the research I did when I had it.

WorstXmasEver · 28/12/2021 22:37

Well I tested positive twice when I lost my sense of smell. I then consistently tested negative after this & it was confirmed by a pcr & antibody tests that I'd had covid.

It was a very mild cold up until losing my sense of smell & that was the only indicator.

My experience seems very different to those still testing positive for upto 90 days after...

JoeMaplin · 28/12/2021 22:38

@WorstXmasEver

Yes. You isolate until you get negative lfts & you could kill someone if you don't.

I only had 2 positive lfts & a positive pcr on day 1 & still did the 10 days isolation.

That is not what the rules say! You isolate from your positive pcr, or your first day of symptoms for 10 days (now less if you test negative on days 6 and 7) How on earth do you think health and social care can continue to operate if this was not the case?

dotdotdotdash · 28/12/2021 23:10

@WorstXmasEver

I totally disagree with you lot & i isolated for 10 days after my 1st negative test.

I would suggest that perhaps your method isn't working seeing as there are around 150k cases today.

If you're still getting positive lateral flow tests then you still have the virus. False positives are very rare from the research I did when I had it.

We are talking about the government guidelines here, not your personal view!

ItsSnowJokes · 29/12/2021 07:38

@WorstXmasEver

I totally disagree with you lot & i isolated for 10 days after my 1st negative test.

I would suggest that perhaps your method isn't working seeing as there are around 150k cases today.

If you're still getting positive lateral flow tests then you still have the virus. False positives are very rare from the research I did when I had it.

Maybe you need to get on to the government and tell them your way is better than the government's. Then when the country crashes to its knees as everyone is isolating for 10 days AFTER their first negative test you can come out and say why its fine and that your way is the best way......

Or maybe the scientists after 2 years know how long it is actually contagious for and the way we are currently doing it is OK.

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