Testing negative on lateral flow

[disappointed101]

I was a close contact of a child who tested positive either Tuesday or Wednesday. My last contact was Tuesday. Last night I developed a headache and am a bit congested. A little achy on the back of the neck but that could have been laying funny. I have been doing daily lateral flows but all have been completely negative. Just did a PCR to be sure. Could it be something else or is there a chance it is COVID? I work in a stressful environment so could be stress related too?

Well there’s a chance
But I’d put money on the pcr being negative

I've just had a horrendous cold/chest infection with similar symptoms which on paper sounds like Covid, but also had negative lateral flows.
It's weird, I kind of forgot that there are still other illnesses like flu etc and then was surprised that I can be ill but not have Covid!

If you want to be sure then take a PCR, but as @Toanewstart22 says, it will probably be negative too.

I had mild symptoms this week (DD1 positive PCR on Monday). I kept getting negative LFTs so I did a PCR yesterday.

it came back positive and I'm feeling pretty grotty today. It could well be covid, but there are tons of other bugs around too.