Pcr after contact

[balzamico]

I've just got back from 5 days away with friends, one of whom complained of a (pre-existing) cold on the second day but had tested negative by lft before arriving.
We travelled home together yesterday and today they have tested positive, I've been for a pcr today.
If it is negative does that mean only that I haven't got it yet and still could become positive or does it mean I haven't caught it from them?

I suspect the former but am really hoping for the latter!

From experience when our household had it in December, it could be just too soon to tell. Dp was close contact with someone, he had a negative pcr 2 or 3 days after contact and positive lft the next day. Similar with me after contact with Dp, negative pcr one day but positive lft the next. I didn't test positive for 7 or 8 days after Dp got it.

I guess for you see actually already 5 days past contact if you had contact with them throughout your 5 days away.

I would just carry on doing lft's every day rather than faffing around going for pcrs - if you get symptoms do a pcr but if you remain symptom free do lft's.

I hope you don't catch it 💕

Th ask, I'm staying away from the rest of the family just in case

I was a close contact and tested negative on a PCR when pinged last Monday but tested positive on an LFT yesterday

I thought the recommendation changed from a PCR for after contact to a week of daily LFTs.

I suspect it's too early for you to tell on the pcr.

We have been wondering this. Child 1 positive saturday.... wondering when we are likely to get an accurate pcr!

DS positive Sunday, we embarked on daily LFT testing. Started with symptoms Tuesday morning, PCR Tuesday afternoon positive, DH did PCR Wednesday, also positive. DD continued to be negative and tested daily .