Totally clear LFT yday and very strong today -am I likely to have just caught this?

[Kara198]

Just trying to work out my likelihood of going back to work after 7 days and also the probability of who I've infected.
I went out yesterday morning and did a LFT as we were going to a very busy venue with family. It was a totally clear negative result. Went to bed last night feeling like utter rubbish, coughed all night and woke with a temp today.
Did a test at 9am and the positive line came up as dark as the control line instantly.
I know it's impossible to say, but am I likely to have had this before our trip out yesterday? Or could I have caught it yday and it has just showed instantly?
Thanks

The incubation period is on average 5 to 6 days. You almost certainly were already infected yesterday.

Just from anecdotal experience - at the end of last term I saw a lot of primary aged children with either symptoms or positive siblings test negative for 3-4 days on LFT before getting a positive result. I don't think they are very good at picking it up in the early stages. So I think you prob did have it yesterday, sorry.

Okay, I thought as much. Thank you

Also anecdotal: I had a positive pcr on the 22nd and only got my first positive lft in the afternoon on christmas day so agree, it doesn't look like they are particularly accurate early on in infection.

LFTs are not meant to be accurate on early infection.

PCRs tested if you have the virus. LFTs are only designed test if you’re infection is well enough developed from pass it on to other people.

This is why you are told to PCR if you have symptoms, in case you’re not at peak infection and the LFT is not yet able to pick it up.

Average incubation for delta is around 5-6 days.
Anecdotally, average incubation for omicron is shorter, possibly around 2-3 days.

Either way yes you would have had it yesterday and they’d be considered close contacts so should PCR in 3-4 days time, sooner if they show symptoms.

Hope everyone is ok.