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Original poster

Flow flex

36 replies

flowflexflop · 15/01/2022 10:09

I've read a couple of threads on this but struggling to get my head around it - I tested positive on flow flex - wasn't convinced so checked with another lateral flow, was my last flow flex so used nose & throat - negative! Went for pcr - negative! At pcr test they gave me another box of flow flex and while waiting for results I did 2 - both positive.. booked another pcr to double check also negative.. in the last 5 days I'm consistently positive on flow flex but completely negative on any other brand of lateral flow and 2 neg pcr tests!! I've been testing twice weekly for work since the summer so I doubt it's picking up old infection - I was positive on Dec 2020.. What's going on? Could they be picking up
Something else - I follow instructions no eating or drinking before tests and I don't smoke or vape...

OP posts:
Haffiana · 15/01/2022 10:15

You have Covid. I don't understand why you are doing so much double testing.

Original poster
flowflexflop · 15/01/2022 10:17

Except I have no symptoms and I am only testing positive on one brand of test and not on the "gold standard" pcr. I was asked to pcr after my lateral flow for work hence the extra tests

OP posts:
NYnewstart · 15/01/2022 10:17

On multiple flow flex test you are positive. You have covid.

Pcr and other lateral flows you test your throat. I’d say you are probably doing the throat bit wrongly.

Blubells · 15/01/2022 10:18

The PCR test is more accurate than any LTF so I don't think you have Covid.

Original poster
flowflexflop · 15/01/2022 10:21

I don't think I am doing the throat bit wrong but I suppose that is a possibility... although would the pcr not be inconclusive rather than negative if the sample wasn't correct? I also managed to do it correctly for my positive pcr last Christmas. Quite a few mumsnet members have reported similar issues with flow flex. 111 have advised I go with pcr as they are more reliable than lateral flow tests

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 15/01/2022 10:21

How would doing the throat bit wrong affect the test if she's also doing the nose test that flow flex uses?

There are a few threads on here where flow flex are always positive but PCRs are negative

lawandgin · 15/01/2022 10:22

I know someone this happened to. She never got to the bottom of it but was also advised to go with PCR results.

Blubells · 15/01/2022 10:24

PCR is the 'gold standard' so generally more reliable. Maybe you had a faulty batch of ltf tests?

Omicrone · 15/01/2022 10:24

@Haffiana

You have Covid. I don't understand why you are doing so much double testing.
Surely she can't have Covid if she has tested negative on two PCR tests?

You test your nose and throat on a PCR don't you? So she would still be getting the nose bit even if she was doing the throat bit wrong, which is unlikely anyway as it would come.bck invalid.

I think the Flow flex have been giving quite a few false positives?

cherin · 15/01/2022 10:28

I think it’s Flowflex. Report it on the yellow card in the webpage of the medicine agency under “devices”, you’ll not be the first one. My kid had the same. Pcr clearly negative. Other brands negative. On Flowflex it gave him a faint positive. I am not one to undermine the results of a test, I’d generally stick to the most conservative interpretation of rules and err on the side of caution but…I have managed to find a box of Orient Genes which I am using only for him. He did test positive there a few days ago, confirmed by PCR, I’ve have since used the Flowflex on him (I could not resist doing him a test at day5) and the line is a very distinct red one.

dementedpixie · 15/01/2022 10:29

@Blubells

PCR is the 'gold standard' so generally more reliable. Maybe you had a faulty batch of ltf tests?
PCR still has a fairly high false negative rate
HesGotHisTrombole · 15/01/2022 10:31

There’s a massive thread on here about this. Loads of people consistently and always testing positive only on Flowflex

dementedpixie · 15/01/2022 10:32

I have a mix of tests as ds brings flowflex from school and I've got orient gene ones from the sports centre. Also have old nose and throat ones that ds originally brought from school. Frightened to use the flowflex ones after threads on here

Original poster
flowflexflop · 15/01/2022 10:34

Definitely tested both nose and throat so I assume pcr was correct - I did the second pcr just incase of a false negative but I doubt I would get two false negatives on pcr on two consecutive days? Also completely white negative lateral flow from other brand? Flow flex was admittedly a a faint'ish' line each time but by no means a squinter.

OP posts:
Original poster
flowflexflop · 15/01/2022 10:35

I work in the public sector and tested when pcr as we have such a shortage of staff at the mo advice from work and 111 is to go with pcr tests. I will report on yellow card site I didn't even realise that was an option.

OP posts:
Haffiana · 15/01/2022 10:45

@HesGotHisTrombole

There’s a massive thread on here about this. Loads of people consistently and always testing positive only on Flowflex
Yes, for MONTHS. However this is not the case here.
Haffiana · 15/01/2022 10:47

PCRs have a high false negative rate. Testing negative on a PCR MAY mean you don't have it, or it may mean that the test missed it.

LFTs have a very, very low false positive rate. If they show positive, then it is extremely likely that they are correct.

Haffiana · 15/01/2022 10:48

@flowflexflop

Definitely tested both nose and throat so I assume pcr was correct - I did the second pcr just incase of a false negative but I doubt I would get two false negatives on pcr on two consecutive days? Also completely white negative lateral flow from other brand? Flow flex was admittedly a a faint'ish' line each time but by no means a squinter.
If you do another PCR in a day or so, it will likely show positive.
Original poster
flowflexflop · 15/01/2022 10:51

@Haffiana why is this not the same case here? I haven't used flow flex before this is my first experience with them? Also I have been negative on other lateral flows and pcrs the only discrepancy is the flow flex test.. and this has been over 5 days so surely I would have had a pos pcr this morning if I was already testing positive on the flow flex 5 days ago? I think the chance of two negative pcr in a row would be quite unlikely as do 111?

OP posts:
Original poster
flowflexflop · 15/01/2022 10:54

We have had some flow flex in the house which my DC had used for school - I had just picked one up for handiness before this I have always used the nose and throat variety

OP posts:
roses2 · 15/01/2022 10:55

Wow this is worrying. I got sent a batch of Flow Flex yesterday from the gov website.

Haffiana · 15/01/2022 11:06

[quote flowflexflop]@Haffiana why is this not the same case here? I haven't used flow flex before this is my first experience with them? Also I have been negative on other lateral flows and pcrs the only discrepancy is the flow flex test.. and this has been over 5 days so surely I would have had a pos pcr this morning if I was already testing positive on the flow flex 5 days ago? I think the chance of two negative pcr in a row would be quite unlikely as do 111?[/quote]
Because this hasn't been happening to you for months. It is illogical to assume that you have a problem with FlowFlex just because you have tested positive with it.

The number of people on this board who test positive with a LFT and then negative with a PCR and even with 2 PCRs AND THEN go on to finally have a positive PCR, is much higher than the few individuals who consistently test positive with FlowFlex.

PCRs may miss up to 30% of infections. They are accurate when they show positive, and not necessarily accurate when they show negative.

Original poster
flowflexflop · 15/01/2022 11:25

But two false negatives 4&5 days after initial flow flex test seems unlikely and also even today 5 days after my initial flow flex nothing at all on any other lateral flow?
Especially when it's a reported issue with that particular brand of test... I am working on Monday and can do another pcr tomorrow but my job - need positive pcr for staff absence and professionals from public Heath (via work) and 111 have advised me to disregard the flow flex results in light of pcr and other negative lat flows Confused

OP posts:
AwaitingSueGraysInvestigation · 15/01/2022 11:47

Are people still being sent/given Flowflex? I’ve been getting Orient Gene’s (always makes me laugh, sounds like the name of a bar) for months now.

dementedpixie · 15/01/2022 11:52

Ds's school gives out flowflex

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