My lateral flow lines are getting darker

[LittleMissA]

I'm on either day 8 or 9, I had my first positive test last thurs (30th). I've only began testing again for day 6/7 to see if I could end isolation early and my lines are getting darker. They are now coming up before the control line whereas they didn't before.

Does this mean anything? I do feel like I have a cold more these last few days but still really mild overall.

Can I still end my isolation on day 10? I'm just worried as they're coming up so quickly and are so strong I could still be infectious.

No idea about the strength of the lines but isolation finishes on day 10 regardless as long as your symptoms have gone and you feel fine.

I am having this aswell OP, I am on day 9 and my lines are darker and come up quicker.
I believe regardless once your 10 days is up you can end it? Unless certain symptoms I think?

On day 7 I came down with what felt like a new cold despite not having left the house since before Christmas, I'm totally over it now

It makes a bit of a nonsense of the government's claim that LFTs are an excellent indication of active infection (hence the new day 6/7 LFT rules), but yes you're free to end your isolation after day 10 regardless of LFT - as long as you don't have a fever or D&V.

That's what is worrying me, I can technically end my isolation in a few days but I must still have enough of the virus in my system to be showing such clear positives so quickly?!?

It's fine after 10 days. Dh tested positive on 24th. Was still testing positive on Day 6. He tested on Day 10 as he was returning to work and was totally clear. However, even if you tested positivr on a lft on Day 10 you are no longer infectious. You can test positive for up to 90 days after.

I think it’s because the U.K. have a policy of reducing the number of cases rather than an elimination policy. So they’ve always known that a day 10 release will lead to some people ending isolation who are still infectious. But they consider that an acceptable level of risk. Where I’m from you’ve always needed a second PCR to release you from isolation. If it’s negative that’s fine. For the tiny proportion of people who get a positive, they are assessed by a doctor.

From what I’ve read, I think that the ukhsa assessed the risk of letting LFT negative people end isolation on day 7 was about the same as letting people go on day 10 regardless of whether they are positive or negative. I’d imagine if you are symptomatic and still getting strong positives you are probably still infectious, even if you no longer have to isolate. If it were me I’d probably be very careful about mask wearing and avoid busy indoor places for a bit once you are free.

@BlackInk

It makes a bit of a nonsense of the government's claim that LFTs are an excellent indication of active infection (hence the new day 6/7 LFT rules), but yes you're free to end your isolation after day 10 regardless of LFT - as long as you don't have a fever or D&V.

Its fine because there is sufficient evidence that the possibility of actively infecting anyone else after 10 days is miniscule

I don't think that positive line on lft equals still infectious. We have so much data after 2 years of studying this that I don't think there's any doubt that 10 days is fine to come out of isolation

After 10 days the vast majority will no longer be infectious but not all. There def seems to be a strong link between LFTs and infectiousness. The rules have to draw a line somewhere and everyone is different.

Like you op I’d be worried about still being infectious after 10 days. I reckon for a few days I’d be cautious if possible but if you have to go to work I think you have to go. Let your boss know the situation if they are reasonable.

My last day of isolation is tomorrow, had a positive PCR but always negative on lfts untill day 8 I think it, was as strong as anything so I'm concerned about still being infectious to

Do you still have symptoms? That is also a condition of ending isolation. Perhaps you remain infectious longer if you have symptoms?

@AllThatFancyPaintsAsFair

It doesn't add up though. If negative LFTs on days 6/7 mean you are no longer infectious (and by default positive LFTs on days 6/7 mean you are still infectious) surely a positive LFT on day 10 or 14 or 20.... means you could still be infectious.

I know everyone is different and everyone will be contagious for different lengths of time, but you have to admit that the messaging is muddled, and muddling!

@Siuan

Do you still have symptoms? That is also a condition of ending isolation. Perhaps you remain infectious longer if you have symptoms?

Only certain symptoms extend your isolation though. A cough doesn’t, or loss of taste or smell, as those could all lasts ages.

[quote BlackInk]@AllThatFancyPaintsAsFair

It doesn't add up though. If negative LFTs on days 6/7 mean you are no longer infectious (and by default positive LFTs on days 6/7 mean you are still infectious) surely a positive LFT on day 10 or 14 or 20.... means you could still be infectious.

I know everyone is different and everyone will be contagious for different lengths of time, but you have to admit that the messaging is muddled, and muddling![/quote]
I don't know what you mean doesn't add up

Are you saying you don't believe all the scientists in every country who are satisfied that after 10 days the chance of being infectious is tiny? You'd need to challenge their data if so

The whole things is a numbers game not a precise answer in every case

Mae up numbers but say 99% are infection free after 10 days there is no need to worry about a test to end isolation

Say 60% are likely to be infection free after 6 days it's worth everyone testing to release those 60 % If that rise to 75% after 8 days again worth testing etc

In the real world we have to balance the infecton risk with the huge damage to the economy. No one is forced to come out of isolation if they can afford to or want to isolate for longer.

Personally I don't find this muddling but I agree that during this whole thing there seems to have been a general loss of the ability to understand the basics of the science. Maybe this has always been the case but there was no reason to ever know it before. Obviously we can't be as knowledgeable as the experts but for some reason there is a section of the population who seem to think they know better

@Bbq1

It's fine after 10 days. Dh tested positive on 24th. Was still testing positive on Day 6. He tested on Day 10 as he was returning to work and was totally clear. However, even if you tested positivr on a lft on Day 10 you are no longer infectious. You can test positive for up to 90 days after.

This applies to PCRs, not lateral flows.

PCRs detect genetic material from the virus which can linger for weeks in a few cases, but is considered, and almost certainly is, inactive.

LFTs detect protein from the actual virus.