I can’t get a test

[mumofthreesmallmen3]

Hi, I’m having symptoms of coronavirus, which are temperature,sore itchy throat, runny and sore nose, sneezing and upset stomach last 2 days, some aching muscles, I’ve done lft since boxing day which are all negative, my dad who has dialysis three times per week in a clinic and therefore has to do a pcr every Friday as part of that and normally has results on the Sunday, I saw him briefly Xmas day, he wasn’t feeling unwell/symptoms, his result on the Sunday (boxing day) is positive and my symptoms started the next day 27th, I have heard that especially omnicron and with symptoms then lft doesn’t always detect, I can’t order a home pcr or go to get one anywhere! Do I still isolate, I can’t believe there is no pcrs available at all?!
Thankyou

Yes unfortunately you need to keep isolating until you can get a PCR. An LFT wouldn't change this as you have symptoms. Keep checking, they update it sometimes. Take care op, I hope your dad is ok

Yes, I'd isolate. Keep trying the website. I needed to order a pcr for myself yesterday & it took a good few attempts before they were available. I'd been hoping for a walk in at the local town but ended up ordering a postal that will hopefully arrive tomorrow. Hope your Dad doesn't become too unwell.

Thanks, it says on the website none available to drive or walk in and also none available to post, I do think I most probably have it, does it really not show up on lft? That’s why I’m called Confused as I’d expect it to really. I didn’t actually spend long with him,was probably a hour. I don’t have a cough at all but also read somewhere omnicron doesn’t always have cough as a symptom, slightly different symptoms for omnicron, were in London too where it’s prevalent

You still have to isolate with symptoms even if you have had a negative lft - they aren't always reliable, you need to keep trying for a pcr, I would just check constantly. Covid is rife at the minute and even an hours contact with your dad might mean you caught it. Sorry you can't get a test!

Cough is not always a symptom. We've all had covid recently and not much of a cough between us all. In fact Dd already had a nasty non covid cough from a virus a few weeks before she got covid. Having covid and isolating at home in the warm really helped clear that cough up 😅

Most show up on LF but not all, which is why if you have symptoms you need to do a PCR which is more accurate.

LF tests don’t suddenly become useless because you have symptoms. They’re just not as reliable in the first place.

Ok thanks, so to clarify I’m in isolation until I can get hold of pcr, whenever that might be?!

They release fresh PCR appointments every afternoon. Keep checking after midday.

Also DD never tested pos on LFT and did have a cough. I had a cough with Delta and omicron. Different symptoms for different people. Hope you feel ok

Yes if you have symptoms you need to isolate. Keep checking the website and slots or home tests should become available

They add more on throughout the day, so just keep going back on the website.

It's not guaranteed to show on LFT, dc1 showed positive on LFT, my NDN didn't when he had it. Likewise a colleague of my husband's has just had a positive PCR after more than 1 negative LFT (his wife has been positive since 22/12) & he's had symptoms since Boxing Day.

As for whether you have it vs another bug, again it's 50/50, none of the rest of us caught it when dc1 had it, not even her sister who she shares a room with, but that was pre Omicron.

Yes - in isolation until PCR but you can count your isolation period as starting from the day following the first symptoms, rather than 10 days from the PCR result. And it’s only 7 days isolation if a LFT is negative on both days 6 & 7

Same problem here, DP has positive lft mine was negative and we cannot get PCR tests anywhere at all :( just keep refreshing!

Tests are now available op if you are quick!

If your LFTs are negative it could just be a normal cold.
LFTs will show up with omicron just like with delta but it’s not foolproof at all eg ds showed positive with no symptoms at all but dh did not until his fourth day of symptoms

Someone near me says our local PCR drive through appointments update at 2pm. They are extremely busy but their are appointments to be had but test results are taking longer than usual to come back. Keep trying OP and yes isolate.

Test sites are available now, home tests are still unavailable.