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Original poster

Faint positive LFT?

18 replies

purplecardigan · 02/01/2022 20:07

Has anyone had repeated very faint positive LFT's but negative PCR? No symptoms either. I was in contact with someone testing positive Christmas Day so have been doing daily LFT since I found out.
Since Wednesday the LFT's have been every so slightly faintly positive. Went for a PCR Thursday that was negative so been in work since (NHS!!). Just find it very strange that the LFT's are still very faint. Line manager says as I have negative PCR basically to ignore them 🤔
Any experience? As I say also completely asymptomatic but just finding it odd! Pics attached of the v faint tests.

Faint positive LFT?
Faint positive LFT?
Faint positive LFT?
OP posts:
Original poster
purplecardigan · 02/01/2022 21:11

Anyone? Or am I a complete anomaly?

OP posts:
LaBelleSausage · 02/01/2022 21:14

I'll let you know! I'm pulling lateral flows that look like this but no PCR results yet.
Kids are both negative so we shall see.

Pommes · 02/01/2022 21:15

Are the LFTs from the same batch?

musicalfrog · 02/01/2022 21:17

They are def showing as positive but if your boss says you can still work then you can't really argue with that. Lateral flow tests are not as accurate as pcrs.

Christmascaker · 02/01/2022 21:17

I had this. When I do a lateral flow that needs a throat swab it comes back with a faint positive but nasal only tests negative. After the first one I had a PCR that was negative! No idea what’s going on?! Someone suggested it could be to do with what I’d eaten/drink but did some of them first thing in the morning.

Original poster
purplecardigan · 02/01/2022 21:26

@Pommes

Are the LFTs from the same batch?
Yes same batch but also used them on my partner and kids and showing completely negative
OP posts:
Tippytaps · 02/01/2022 21:26

Yes I have had this positive lateral flow tests, using both the older LFTs and the newer red dye tests, but negative PCRs.

Isolated101 · 02/01/2022 21:30

When myself and family had positive LFT’s and went on to test positive on PCR’s they have been so clearly positive you can’t miss it. No symptoms but definitely no squinting to see a faint line like you have to with the attached. I’m wondering if these could be caused by you being in contact with covid virus but not actually carrying it?

Original poster
purplecardigan · 02/01/2022 21:31

@Tippytaps

Yes I have had this positive lateral flow tests, using both the older LFTs and the newer red dye tests, but negative PCRs.
Interesting! So strange though. I don't understand what it is that is turning them faintly positive that a PCR isn't picking up. Absolutely not that I want to have covid or have any symptoms but I would like to be feeling sure that I'm not out and about spreading it, especially in my line of work!
OP posts:
Tippytaps · 02/01/2022 21:32

I also had the same, my husband using the same batches has always been negative. I have had symptoms he has not.

We decided to ignore the PCRs and isolate until my fever and cold went and then I got negative LFT.

Strange that the negative LFTs followed my symptoms clearing up and yet negative PCRs.

Original poster
purplecardigan · 02/01/2022 21:32

@Isolated101

When myself and family had positive LFT’s and went on to test positive on PCR’s they have been so clearly positive you can’t miss it. No symptoms but definitely no squinting to see a faint line like you have to with the attached. I’m wondering if these could be caused by you being in contact with covid virus but not actually carrying it?
If that's a possibility it makes sense? I was definitely in contact, for a prolonged period on Christmas Day. It was exactly a week later I got the first faint positive LFT.
OP posts:
Original poster
purplecardigan · 02/01/2022 21:33

@Isolated101

When myself and family had positive LFT’s and went on to test positive on PCR’s they have been so clearly positive you can’t miss it. No symptoms but definitely no squinting to see a faint line like you have to with the attached. I’m wondering if these could be caused by you being in contact with covid virus but not actually carrying it?
Sorry didn't finish.. but as you say, anyone I know who actually HAS covid, the LFT's have been strongly positive. (Including said contact on Christmas Day)
OP posts:
Opihr · 02/01/2022 21:34

Yes, this happened to my DS and when I looked into it a bit more it's fairly common, esp with Flowflex tests.

My DS definitely tested positive for real a month or so later so I'm pretty confident that when we had a faint positive LFT, no symptoms and a negative PCR, he didn't have COVID.

Phyllis321 · 02/01/2022 21:36

I had 3 faint LFTS (Flowflex) and a negative PCR. My work was happy for me to come in.

Original poster
purplecardigan · 02/01/2022 21:37

Really reassuring! Thank you both. These are the flowflex tests.

OP posts:
VaccineSticker · 02/01/2022 21:38

Go for another pcr tomoro if pos.

Tippytaps · 02/01/2022 21:39

Initially my only symptom was unusual cardiac issues. I didn’t feel sick until a few days later, then I got a cold with sore throat, headache and fever. My LFTs were never strong positives, always weak like yours. Some so weak that initially I thought they were negative until I got a positive then went back to the photos I took and zoomed in.

If it wasn’t across two different types of LFTs, and if my husband wasn’t also testing negative then I would have thought it was a dodgy batch. When I then got negatives once my symptoms cleared I am even more Hmm at the PCRs

ivehadenough1998 · 02/01/2022 22:44

Me I get them a lot only on flowflex

Faint positive LFT?
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