Still testing positive day 10 and runny nose - return to school or not?

[hallpicnics]

DC and I still testing positive after 10 days of isolation. Both have a runny nose. I think I can send DC back to school but not sure it's the right thing to do - really don't want to if we're contagious - but also she needs to go back in. So confused and don't know what to do.

I’d not

If you're testing with flowflex LFDs then try with a different brand. NHS guidelines say if you don't have a fever after 10 days you can end isolation. Other symptoms are safe.

@altmember - thanks - she's testing positive on the flowflex but negative on the DHSC - so I am very confused. I'm still positive on both.

As long as you don’t have a temp you can return to school / work after midnight on day 10. Even if still testing positive. You get told not to test on a pcr for example for 90 days post covid as can give positive result even if not infectious still

It's possible to still test positive on a LFT or a PCR test for up to 90 days. A person can leave isolation once the 10 day isolation period has ended and providing they do not have a temperature.

You don't need to test at day 10n you stop isolating regardless as long as you don't have sumptoms

@AllThatFancyPaintsAsFair

You don't need to test at day 10n you stop isolating regardless as long as you don't have sumptoms

We both have runny noses which I think counts as still having symptoms - but I'm not sure.

As far as I'm aware, a temperature is the only symptom you need to continue isolating with. So if you don't have a temperature you can both end isolation at the end of Day 10.

Runny noses are not counted as continuing infectious symptoms. Only a fever or vomiting are considered symptoms you must keep isolating with.

She won’t be infectious anymore. Runny noses can go on for a little while, I’m still a bit snotty 3 weeks after the super cold I had over Christmas 😩 some people do continue to test positive for a while post infection. It may be a small amount of virus remains in the nose but you won’t be able to pass it on at this point!

It’s the weekend, you’ve got another 36 hours before school. I’d 100% get her back in on Monday. You don’t need to continue testing.

She's missed 10 days of school? Please send her in. Hopefully she's not in an exam year!!

@Blubells

She's missed 10 days of school? Please send her in. Hopefully she's not in an exam year!!

She's only missed last week so far and then the two weekends and last Friday. I want to send her in and need to for work but I just don't want to do the wrong thing if there is a chance she's still infectious.

@Blubells

You sound surprised? What did you expect her to do???

After 10 days isolating and no fever then you are out of isolation regardless of what the LFT says.

I think you should just see how she is come Monday morning, lingering runny nose and coughing is common, but not always infectious. If she’s constantly blowing her nose, I wouldn’t send her in and give it a couple more days.

Well, officially yes she can go back.

She could still be infectious, but the chances are very low.

I'd absolutely send back in. I've had lingering coughs and sniffles from flu for weeks before. If the professionals are advising that temp is evidence of continuing infectiousness rather than a runny nose I'd trust them.

As long as she doesn't have a temp and has completed her 10 days she should be going back to school. She doesn't need to be testing negative at this point as she will have stopped shedding the virus.

My runny nose came quite late in the omicron symptoms and is still here now over a week after the 10 days. I don't think this is unusual. I'm back at work. Hth.

I think we just have to follow the guidance at this point. If she doesn’t have a temperature I would send her in, It’s not fair to keep her off on the very small chance she is still infectious. Especially as I expect there will be some children in her class whose parents haven’t even tested them.

You can test positive for weeks after infection. But you can leave isolation after 10 days with other symptoms continuing, so long as you don't have fever/ high temperature.

I would send back. I still have a runny nose and I had covid at the beginning of January. The chances of still being infectious are low and no one can tell you with absolute certainty that she isn’t so the best you can do is follow the guidelines I think

When I had Delta (and was very poorly with it) I nevervhad a temperature. Both my kids have omicron now. Neither has a temperature, just snotty noses and sore throats. Like approximately a third of my class. Who are still being sent in either without testing or post covid. That's probably why we've got about another third off and some year groups shut. Some teachers are on their second infection. It feels like its just a matter of time for me too.

Honestly, it's carnage in schools. Keep them off till they are well. Exam years I would ring the school and ask for work . For the sake of a few more days its worth it.

I tested positive for the first 14 days and thereafter negative. Some people are just shedders.

You sound surprised? What did you expect her to do???

Send her in!

Current government advice:

You do not need to take any more LFD tests after the 10th day of your self-isolation period and you may stop self-isolating after this day. This is because you are unlikely to be infectious after the 10th day of your self-isolation period. Even if you have a positive LFD test result on the 10th day of your self-isolation period you do not need to take any more LFD tests after this day and you do not need a follow-up PCR test. If you are concerned you may choose to limit close contact with other people, especially those who are at higher risk of severe illness until 14 days after the start of your self-isolation period.

Is having a runny nose being unwell?