How many of you are getting negative LFT but positive PCR with omicron?

[Lovemusic33]

Have LFT all 3 of us this morning, dd2 has cold symptoms (sneezing mainly, runny nose), all of us testing negative. Dd1 tells me that the nasal swab LFT are not picking up omicron?

Dd2 booked for PCR this morning as she can not go back to school until she has one due to her having a runny nose.

When we had delta in September my LFT was negative but PCR positive when I had no symptoms but dd1’s was positive with symptoms.

How many of you are getting negative LFT but are then getting a positive PCC with possible omicron?

What’s the chances of dd2 being negative in the PCR and her just having a cold?

Lfts aren't as accurate as pcr tests, they are there for picking up asymptomatic cases. That's why if you have symptoms you have to book a pcr test.

My DH did. He only got his pcr as we all had a cold we couldn’t shake. Every lateral flow for all of us showed negative and we’d been testing frequently due to work. He got a surprise positive PCR back on Christmas Day. I woke up feeling awful on Boxing Day so me and the dc all went for PCRs that day, all negative. I’ve had some kind of awful flu, it’s only this weekend I’ve been able to get out of bed. DH on the other hand has barely had a sniffle, a relief after he was so I’ll with covid last Christmas. I’m very worried that the lateral flows we have aren’t that reliable, DH has still never had one show positive.

We’re in the middle of a family outbreak from Christmas - out of about 11, 5 have now tested positive via PCR, 3 were symptomatic, 2 asymptomatic. 1 of those who was asymptomatic tested negative on LFTs for 3 days after PCR result had been confirmed as positive (she got PCR as she lives with someone who is symptomatic and couldn’t go back to work until tested).

This all being said, my DP who has had symptoms from the start has tested negative on PCR.

Feels like luck of the draw at this point, but has definitely happened to us.

My dh had runny nose and scratchy throat and positive LFT. Also positive PCR

@Iseeyoulookingatme

Lfts aren't as accurate as pcr tests, they are there for picking up asymptomatic cases. That's why if you have symptoms you have to book a pcr test.

This is wrong.

HTH

@ChequerBoard

The post you quoted is absolutely correct.
HTH

Family outbreak over christmas here - started from 3 families meeting up, all negative on LFs. Over the next few days members from all 3 families tested positive, and were positive on a Pcr before LF. For myself, I was Pcr positive 3 days before a LF would pick it up.

Anecdotally people are suggesting that swabbing as well as nasal to help LFs pick it
Up (throat first).

@Iseeyoulookingatme

Lfts aren't as accurate as pcr tests, they are there for picking up asymptomatic cases. That's why if you have symptoms you have to book a pcr test.

I have booked dd a PCR as I said in my post.

I tested negative on a LFT in September when I was asymptotic, tested positive on PCR (only tested as Dd1 had tested positive on PCR with symptoms). I agree that people should get a PCR if they have symptoms, which is why I’m getting dd a PCR.

Swabbing throat as well as nasal with a LF that post should say!

Just to add…..dd does not swab throat, she has Autism and just doing the nasal swab is hard enough, she may not be doing that correctly.

We had the opposite problem here. Despite endless positive lft, it took 3 pcr tests to get a positive. I have no faith in any of it.

Try swabbing your throats too. I tested negative just swabbing my nose yesterday. I did another test doing both my throat and my nose and got a strong positive. Three people in our household are positive at the moment and I have symptoms which is why I checked again.

[quote ScarlettDarling]@ChequerBoard

The post you quoted is absolutely correct.
HTH
[/quote]

Wrong again.

Lateral Flow Tests (LFTs) detect proteins from the virus, which are present when someone is infectious.

You can have the [virus] proteins whether you have symptoms or not,”. “The test doesn’t know if you have symptoms.” In fact, most studies of LFTs suggest they are somewhat more accurate at detecting positive cases in people who have symptoms than in those who are symptom free.
Thats why the new guidance advises that you can end isolation early if you test negative on a LFT on 2 consecutive days post day 6.

https://faq.covid19.nhs.uk/article/KA-01404/en-us?parentid=CAT-01025&rootid=

HTH:

@ChequerBoard if it weren't the case there would be no confirmation PCRS. LFT are primarily for asymptomatic detection largely because they are most effective when you are most infectious which is prior to developing symptoms. They also have a high false negative rate which is well documented. Considering the number of staff we are seeing test negative then positive when trying to clear isolation, it's a pretty pointless test.

This is all documented in the Sage papers produced before LFT were introduced for healthcare workers this time last year

@LemonMuffins. Interested to know why you had three pcr tests.

Why not just accept the first one?

@ChequerBoard no-one has said LFTs can't detect symptomatic cases, just that they're less accurate in doing so than PCRs (which nothing you've posted contradicts as far as I can see)?

[quote DesdemonaDryEyes]@LemonMuffins. Interested to know why you had three pcr tests.

Why not just accept the first one?[/quote]
Because she still tested positive on LFT indicating she had covid. The PCR didn't pick it up until the 3rd test I.e. the first 2 were negative even though she likely had covid

LFT are more accurate at detecting covid if you have symptoms which makes it strange to use them for asymptomatic testing. I suppose if they pick up a few cases that you wouldnt have found otherwise they can be useful

[quote ScarlettDarling]@ChequerBoard

The post you quoted is absolutely correct.
HTH
[/quote]
I was also going to say that is correct. If you have symptoms you have to book a PCR regardless of whether you lft or not and the outcome. LFTs are indeed intended to pick up asymptomatic cases.

[quote namechange30455]@ChequerBoard no-one has said LFTs can't detect symptomatic cases, just that they're less accurate in doing so than PCRs (which nothing you've posted contradicts as far as I can see)?[/quote]
The original poster said:

"Lfts aren't as accurate as pcr tests, they are there for picking up asymptomatic cases. That's why if you have symptoms you have to book a pcr test."

LFTs are NOT just used for picking in asymptomatic cases any more hence the day 6 & 7 isolation testing.

The reason to have a PCR test is bad use it has a wider range of detection than an LFT it's nothing to do with whether you have symptoms or not.

We need to stop linking LFTs with whether or not there are symptoms it does not impact how the test works.

If I had a cold/sore throat type illness I would have a PCR. I got a really bad one back in October. It was negative but I was off work sick.

Yes it could well be negative and just a big standard cold but it’s worth checking considering how contagious and wide spread omicron is now.

It does impact how the test works if LFT are more effective if you have symptoms and less effective if you dont

Me & DH atm have covid. Both same symptoms (runny nose, cough). His LFT was strongly positive mine negative, both done by me (throat & nose) both PCRs positive!

DD initially tested negative on LFT after a positive PCR, but about 4 days later tested positive on LFT

DH finally started to test positive on an LFT about four days after his positive PCR.