Positive LFT, symptoms but not the top 3

[sheeplikessleep]

Woken with headache, aches and sore throat and took LFT and it’s positive.
I know today is the first day of not taking a PCR if symptomless, but it only lists the top 3 on the website as a reason to get pcr (which I don’t have high temp, cough or taste).
I’m thinking still get pcr as I’ve got symptoms of covid (headache, sore throat, back is aching), but wondered if anyone has read anywhere about this glaring lack of clarity! Thanks

Well id say yes to PCR if lft was negative but as lft is positive you know you have covid so depends why you want PCR really.

The list of symptoms is completely out of date, but they don’t seem to want to change this, just book and tick one of the symptoms listed. You have symptoms so PCR is advised.

Just following the rules tbh but it’s unclear why they still want those with symptoms to get follow up pcr after positive lft.

Why do you want a PCR? You have covid, confirmed by LFT. You don't need a PCR to confirm it anymore.

The 'take a PCR if you have symptoms' is because LFTs are not sensitive enough to pick up enough cases to be reliable enough for use when you have symptoms and may give a false negative, however it has picked up yours.

@sheeplikessleep

Just following the rules tbh but it’s unclear why they still want those with symptoms to get follow up pcr after positive lft.

No, if you have symptoms you're meant to get a PCR instead of an LFT.

Thanks Mindymomo that’s my take out. I’ll get one booked.

It’s been well discussed in the media and on here over very many months what the prevailing symptoms for Covid are. Spoiler alert: it’s not cough. Temp and anosmia any more.

If you have doubts then look up the ZOE project which details actual real time symptoms reported by those with covid infections.

@noblegiraffe

Why do you want a PCR? You have covid, confirmed by LFT. You don't need a PCR to confirm it anymore.

The 'take a PCR if you have symptoms' is because LFTs are not sensitive enough to pick up enough cases to be reliable enough for use when you have symptoms and may give a false negative, however it has picked up yours.

It says if positive lft and symptoms, get pcr. If positive lft and no symptoms, don’t get pcr.

But symptoms they list are the top 3 only. That’s what I think is confusing.

And unless they change the certification process to reflect positive LFT on the Covid passport then PCR will still be important for pre travel purposes since it’s not advised to test again for90 days after infection for fear of false positive

You’re not supposed to take a LFT to check when you have symptoms as there is too much chance of a false negative.

However, as you HAVE done a LFT and it is positive, no need to do a PCR as well, you can simply take that as confirmation that you do have it and start isolating.

This is what is reported in The Times.

The only time you need to confirm a positive LFT with a PCR is if you think you might be eligible for new treatments.

I was just trying to follow the guidance and they suggest pcr if positive lft and symptoms.

I also thought there were reasons for getting a pcr ‘logged’ for passport purposes as well.

Just wondered how others interpreted the guidance.

I took lft out of immediate curiosity really, and am now isolating from Dh.

Thanks all for posting

@noblegiraffe

This is what is reported in The Times.

The only time you need to confirm a positive LFT with a PCR is if you think you might be eligible for new treatments.

Thanks noble

I wouldn't bother.

You have covid... What else will a PCR do/tell you?

Like others have said, you only need a PCR if you have symptoms.

The reason being as simple as this :

Someone has a cough, LFT negative so they go on with their life, but the LFT was a false negative and they actually have covid.

That's why those with symptoms should have a PCR. It's not to log anything or have it for passports. It's to make sure those with symptoms get them checked out.

You had a positive LFT, you have covid. You don't have any of the symptoms listed on the NHS website, even if they are outdated.

@VanCleefArpels

It’s been well discussed in the media and on here over very many months what the prevailing symptoms for Covid are. Spoiler alert: it’s not cough. Temp and anosmia any more.

If you have doubts then look up the ZOE project which details actual real time symptoms reported by those with covid infections.

Like most people I'm aware of this but it's not clear whether the guidance regarding taking a pcr refers to symptoms other than the 3 listed on the website.

Are you saying that people should get a pcr with any of the wide range of possible covid symptoms even if they have none of the 3 specified?

They still sound like covid symptoms, just not the main ones.
Mine were body/muscle pain, headache, sickness and then loss of smell.
Hope you feel better soon.

All I had was a sore thrait. No other symptoms. (triple jabbed if that makes a difference?).

You also need a PCR if you want to claim any of the isolation payments.

As you arent asymptomatic I would get a follow up PCR.

It is so so SO confusing now and makes me very angry.

My interpretation is that if you have a positive LFT, symptoms or not, then you can assume you have COVID and crack on with self-isolation without going for PCR. Because false positives are rare on LFTs so if the test has found the virus, you must have the virus.

But if you are unwell and the LFT is negative, you can't guarantee that it's not COVID because false negatives are fairly common. So you go and get a PCR, because you could otherwise be spreading COVID on the basis of having a negative LFT.

Of course 'symptoms' is also overly vague: we all know there are many symptoms of COVID now and many won't have any of the official three (fever, new continuous cough, loss/change of taste/smell). So you could have a headache, feel dizzy, body aches and test negative on LFT. These are definitely COVID symptoms so off you go to the website to book a PCR... but then it says you're not eligible because you don't have three particular COVID symptoms!

Why does it have to be so damn confusing and unclear?

Same here and I'm not going for a pcr. According to the rules I don't qualify for one as I don't have covid symptoms. Yes I agree the list is outdated but you have to select a symptom in order to be allowed one. I can't be bothered to lie and also don't feel I need it confirming.

I feel exhausted, my eyes and nose are burning. eyes feel really sore and I keep sneezing. Slight dry/sore throat but I've had worse.

No temp, no cough, no loss of taste or smell.

We're in Scotland so rules changed earlier for us. DD tested positive on LFD so she's treated as positive. Technically we should have got a PCR as she had a sky high temperature but we lat flowed because she had her eleventy billionth sore throat since September and we thought we should check. Then we woke up at a bit more and checked the temperature after the LFT had been done.

Interestingly DH and I have Omicron type symptoms but not big 3 and are still negative on lat flows (but staying home as we feel shite as hell...) DH was negative on PCR yesterday (slight cough but just about within the 'official' definition of continuous) so we'll do daily LFTs on us for the required time and if we don't test positive, assume the vaccines have stopped us shedding (but not symptoms)...

Thanks for articulating what I was trying to say, but struggling with a pounding headache!

That was to Lublin ^

@nuggetschicken

They still sound like covid symptoms, just not the main ones. Mine were body/muscle pain, headache, sickness and then loss of smell. Hope you feel better soon.

Thanks nugget

You are positive so don't need a PCR to confirm. PCRs are for key workers now really who may be testing LFT negative but hand symptoms.
It's to target the PCRs more effectively.