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Original poster

'Do an LFT before you go out'

125 replies

Powersout · 29/12/2021 22:59

I'm feeling pretty stupid at the moment. My husband tested positive on PCR on 23rd December and started isolating but as my daughter and I were testing negative on LFTs we decided to carry on with the original plan to go to my parents' for Christmas day. My parents were informed about the situation and had no hesitation in letting us come as long as LFTs were negative on the morning. Of course, I woke up with symptoms on Boxing Day and tested positive on an LFT and later PCR. Yesterday my Mum tested positive and now my Dad is showing symptoms...

In hindsight it was such a stupid thing to do. Earlier in the pandemic theres no way I would have gone to my parents house if someone in my household had tested positive. But I have followed government guidance throughout and was therefore following the 'do an LFT before you go out' message that seems to have been rammed down our throats over the last few weeks. But you can be highly infectious 2 days before you get a positive LFT cant you? So why aren't the government qualifying the message at all with this information? I get that it's a simpler message for the majority of the public who have no known exposure to positive cases but shouldn't the message be different for those of us who have had prolonged contact with a case? Or are we meant to just use our common sense which surely is not a great idea for a public health message?

As I said earlier, I feel bad and stupid for passing this on to my elderly parents. Not looking for sympathy but wondering if anyone else agrees that the message is confusing?

OP posts:
Whywhywhy48 · 29/12/2021 23:42

When my husband tested positive we all had PCR tests. He was positive. Me and my daughter negative. That was on the Wednesday. I was doing LTF tests and they were negative untill the Monday after and my LFT showed positive. My daughter didn't get it.

Frazzled2207 · 29/12/2021 23:43

I think you followed the rules and as your parents were aware and willing nobody really did anything wrong.
It’s quite obvious though that 1. LFTs are unreliable and 2. You going out would have been a risky move. You surely can’t have thought that just because your LFT was clear and you weren’t breaking any rules there wasn’t any risk?

BluebellsGreenbells · 29/12/2021 23:44

I think it’s clear on the government website

'Do an LFT before you go out'
'Do an LFT before you go out'
Original poster
Powersout · 29/12/2021 23:44

@breadwidow

I agree OP that the messaging isn't great. It's true you didn't break any rules in what you did, though as others have said up thread I do think you should have got a PCR, though I admit too that messaging on this is confusing. I've attached 2 images of messages from test and trace with different content. The first is screen shot I received of email notifying me of contact with a positive case back in early December (which happened at a work Xmas party). It clearly instructed me to book PCR test so I did, though I didn't isolate til I got the results as LFTs showed negative (which perhaps wasn't the best thing but I actually had my MIL visiting when I got the message so I couldn't isolate right away). The second is the much delayed message from T&T I got following my sons positive PCR on 23rd December. They didn't do the tracing call til the 27th so I didn't get the message til then but it only mentions doing the LFTs. Our whole family had already done PCRs anyway - he tested positive on an LFT on the 22nd so we all had PCRs on 23rd. I wonder if the diff messaging is because there's now a lack of PCR tests, or it could be simply diff between email and text
This is very interesting. Obviously if the advice had been for me to have a PCR then I would have done so right away and my poor parents may have been safe.
OP posts:
Original poster
Powersout · 29/12/2021 23:48

@BluebellsGreenbells

I think it’s clear on the government website
Fair enough.
OP posts:
doublemonkey · 29/12/2021 23:51

Surely if you've all had covid now and recovered, it's a good thing? Also shows how crap the vaccines actually are.

You'll be happy in the long run to have proper immunity now.

Original poster
Powersout · 29/12/2021 23:51

@Frazzled2207

I think you followed the rules and as your parents were aware and willing nobody really did anything wrong. It’s quite obvious though that 1. LFTs are unreliable and 2. You going out would have been a risky move. You surely can’t have thought that just because your LFT was clear and you weren’t breaking any rules there wasn’t any risk?
I really did! As previous posters have said, the gradual move has been from 'follow the rules or else' to 'use a bit of common sense' - I feel a bit indoctrinated into following the rules set I suppose so didnt really question things as much as I should have.
OP posts:
JanglyBeads · 29/12/2021 23:52

I do apologise if you're double vaxxed or child close contact you are only advised to do LFTs not a PCR, that bit's changed in the new guidance

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

I was reading it only yesterday and obviously confused the part for those who do have to self isolate (they do have to PCR)!

Original poster
Powersout · 29/12/2021 23:53

Exactly this. I do hope the same message is being sent out to everyone.

OP posts:
Original poster
Powersout · 29/12/2021 23:54

@doublemonkey

Surely if you've all had covid now and recovered, it's a good thing? Also shows how crap the vaccines actually are.

You'll be happy in the long run to have proper immunity now.

Mild symptoms for all of us so far but we're only between 1 and 4 days in.
OP posts:
PeeAche · 29/12/2021 23:55

My in-laws both have it and have been fine. Like a common cold. I have it now and hoping it'll be okay for me as pregnant. Got a headache but still managing to get on with all my jobs around the house (off work for Christmas break).

DH also has it but, despite displaying all the symptoms of a common cold, seems insistent that he is in fact "dying" 🙄

We all caught it in much the same way: FIL tested daily for 7 days after close contact with his other son. We had our merry Christmas. On day 8 (Boxing Day) he woke up with a stinker of a cold and tested again. Bingo, positive. And lo. 14 people now have Covid. But we're all doing fine and all trip vaxxed.

Anyway, hope you're feeling okay OP. Your parents will be fine, I think. Get well soon. Atchu! 😷

frasersmummy · 29/12/2021 23:59

It doesn't help when the rules are different across the 3 devolved parliaments. I really think testing and isolation should be the same across the uk

OopsadayZ · 29/12/2021 23:59

@Coyoacan

It is frightening to see how rule-bound so many people are to the point that logic goes out the window. But I hope everyone makes a full recovery, OP.
This.

One DC tested positive, so we didn't see in-laws for Christmaseven though our LTFs and PCRs were negative. We didn't wa t to risk it. We chose to do PCRs as LTF are not that sensitive.

Yea there are rules. But we also have brains and choose to use them.

whynotwhatknot · 30/12/2021 00:01

dont know where youre supposed to get lfts from to test daily everywhere has sold out

elsx · 30/12/2021 00:02

OP, don’t feel bad, the messages and guidelines are a mind field right now.
My step dd had a positive lateral flo on the 23rd (not a single symptom), we followed up with three negative lateral flo’s and a pcr test.
Massive family meal planned for Christmas day, obtained my whole families blessing and put it down to a dodgy test? (As all other tests were negative). PCR taken on xmas eve, boxing day the dreaded text comes through.

I let all family members know, they all did tests and two displayed positive on boxing day.

Worrying how the lateral’s can be so on and off. Me and my dp are positive we have covid now, tight chest, sore throat, temperature but we’re both showing negative (pcr’s booked tomorrow).

Still can’t believe the numbers are so high and they’re saying nothing. Night clubs all sold out in London for New Years… seems mad to me!

Hope you’re symptoms aren’t too bad. Sending hugs!

TinaYouFatLard · 30/12/2021 00:02

OP you must feel terrible, but I think it’s being more and more widely acknowledged that we will all encounter this virus at some point. Hopefully your parents have avoided the more serious strains and with the benefit of the vaccines, will have a mild illness.

lemonsaretheonlyfruit · 30/12/2021 00:04

@ajandjjmum
You make a very good point I think about wanting to spend time at Christmas with people we want to edging over what might normally be considered 'common sense' when it comes down to the minutia.

A lot of posters on here are very judgemental about anyone that doesn't follow the rules (whatever they are at the time.. if we can even keep up to date) to the letter.

I have started exercising common sense (which still means I am a 90% rule follower) but I refuse to respect it all as much as a did a year ago. It's all lost weight for me for a number of reasons.

Whitefire · 30/12/2021 00:07

It really doesn't help that the 4 nations are all doing their own thing. However the easy way for England dwellers to know what to do is to just do what the hell you like, just maybe not lick too many people.

Clarefromwork · 30/12/2021 00:07

You are right, really the message for a close contact should be to isolate for 2 days and then daily lateral flow tests for 5 days (that wouldn’t be popular though)

LopsidedWombat · 30/12/2021 00:07

I think there's so much misunderstanding about the whole thing and it's hardly surprising. My dad had a stubborn cold for several weeks and was very unwell with it. I suggested he get a PCR test and his response was "I've had a negative LFT and I can still smell and taste fine". I thought it had been common knowledge for a while now that covid can present as a cold, especially when triple vaccinated like he is. So I expect many people would have trusted LFT tests over Christmas and now be in the same situation as yourself. Personally I'd not mix with anyone vulnerable if someone in my household was positive, regardless of what official guidance does or doesn't say. If omicron is as transmissible as they say, it seems inevitable the whole household will get it. But then I have been overly cautious since day one due to having quite serious problems with my immune system.

I hope you and your family have a quick recovery and with any luck next winter we won't need to be so careful!

PurpleDaisies · 30/12/2021 00:08

@SLH2003

This is the email I got from t&t...

Says get a PCR.

NHS Test and Trace has identified you as a contact of someone who recently tested positive for COVID-19. Unless you are exempt, it is your legal duty to stay at home and self-isolate. You must self-isolate until 4th of January (including this date).

You should book a PCR test to check if you have COVID-19, even if you do not have symptoms.

This has changed recently.
PurpleDaisies · 30/12/2021 00:11

There was a recent headline on the telegraph saying t and t were advising people incorrectly about the latest isolation rules.

They’re here for England If anyone wants them

www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-contacts-of-people-with-possible-or-confirmed-coronavirus-covid-19-infection-who-do-not-live-with-the-person/guidance-for-contacts-of-people-with-possible-or-confirmed-coronavirus-covid-19-infection-who-do-not-live-with-the-person

Original poster
Powersout · 30/12/2021 00:15

@PeeAche

My in-laws both have it and have been fine. Like a common cold. I have it now and hoping it'll be okay for me as pregnant. Got a headache but still managing to get on with all my jobs around the house (off work for Christmas break).

DH also has it but, despite displaying all the symptoms of a common cold, seems insistent that he is in fact "dying" 🙄

We all caught it in much the same way: FIL tested daily for 7 days after close contact with his other son. We had our merry Christmas. On day 8 (Boxing Day) he woke up with a stinker of a cold and tested again. Bingo, positive. And lo. 14 people now have Covid. But we're all doing fine and all trip vaxxed.

Anyway, hope you're feeling okay OP. Your parents will be fine, I think. Get well soon. Atchu! 😷

Thanks. I do feel ok although now on day 4 have lost my senses of taste and smell which is a bummer.

DH had one day of chronic diarrhoea and a temperature and no nasal symptoms at all. He is proud of how 'efficiently' his body reacted Hmm

OP posts:
antisocialsocialclub · 30/12/2021 00:16

As you’ve probably worked out LFTs only pick up the virus when there’s enough viral load in your body to register. It’s very possible that even if you had a PCR it wouldn’t have picked it up either.

This happened to me, although I isolated just to be sure and lo and behold a few days later symptoms got worse and I tested positive on LFT and PCR. If I had no symptoms though, I wouldn’t have known I had it.

Opihr · 30/12/2021 00:16

@JanglyBeads

I do apologise if you're double vaxxed or child close contact you are only advised to do LFTs not a PCR, that bit's changed in the new guidance

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

I was reading it only yesterday and obviously confused the part for those who do have to self isolate (they do have to PCR)!

Yes, it's changed very recently and they've quietly dropped the PCR requirement.

2 of my children tested positive just before Xmas and in both cases were picked up by LFT's, so for them they worked brilliantly.
However, despite the rest of us taking daily LFT's that were always negative, I booked the rest of the family PCR's on Day 6. 3 more positive cases found despite the negative LFT's Confused

LFT's have their place but I don't think they're sensitive enough to replace PCR's completely in the case of household close contacts.