Is this possible?

[tigerlilymochalatte]

DS 18 months had covid just before christmas, it was picked up by a routine test in hospital (visited for an unrelated consultation). I didnt see the test result but they called and confirmed he was positive so we cancelled all christmas and new year plans and isolated. We isolated for the 10 days but he never tested positive on a lateral flow which we did over a few days to ensure he was negative before going back out. I thought he must have just got over it quickly.

He has tested positive again this week. I have not heard of anyone getting it more than once so close together. Is this possible? Has anyone else had it twice in less than six weeks?

You are not supposed to test within 90 days of a positive result as it can be the old infection being picked up. The only reason to do another test is if new symptoms appear. Does he have any symptoms?

Yes, so DD5 was positive last week, pretty sure she got it from school, then I caught it. This week DS has temperature and runny nose so I did a test and it's positive. He has never shown as positive on a lateral flow before.

I didn't realise you weren't supposed to test within 90 days. I take it we will still need to isolate tho? If you cant test within 90 days but are positive, cant you still be infectious?

I was wondering if the hospital could have got it wrong?!

The advice is that you should get a PCR (even within 90 days of previous infection) if you have one of the three main symptoms (fever, cough change to smell/taste. Your son has a fever so needs a PCR. It's routine asymptotic LFT testing that is advised against within 90 days.

As he has symptoms and a positive LFT it's very likely he has a new infection, but you do need a PCR to confirm.

Hope he feels better soon!

I thought it had changed and now we aren't required have to do the pcr confirmation if lateral flow is positive?

Im happy to do it but not sure I'll be able to get one booked if its no longer required after lateral flow positive

Sorry to disagree with previous posters but the guidance is that twice weekly LF testing should RESUME as soon as the initial self isolation is complete. It's asymptomatic PCRs that should be avoided (i.e. if a close contact). Symptomatic PCRs should still be obtained if experiencing any of the main 3 symptoms (fever, cough or anosmia) The guidance has changed recently. We've had a pupil test positive within 3 weeks of a previous infection so it is possible.

Ok, had a look through the nhs pages! So I shouldn't have done the lateral flow as DS has symptoms (should have done pcr) but now I have and it's positive, do I need to do a pcr especially as DS had it within 90 days?

Do we just isolate again and keep testing the rest of us? or not testing the rest of us?!

So confused now!

@delilahbucket

You are not supposed to test within 90 days of a positive result as it can be the old infection being picked up. The only reason to do another test is if new symptoms appear. Does he have any symptoms?

You can do LFTs within 90 days, especially if you've been previously testing negative on them. The risk of an LFT picking up the virus several days/weeks on are small.

Most people are also fine to test using a PCR and, indeed, if you get new symptoms once your initial isolation time is over, you are advised to.

Our school is full of children who had it before and after Xmas (ie twice). Presume the current lot is omicron.

I'd get him a pcr to confirm as he has symptoms.

But you would need to isolate him now anyway, and the rest of you as close contacts should do daily testing ideally. Though the daily testing is only advised rather than mandatory.