Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Is there any point getting a confirmatory PCR after positive LFT?

39 replies

GooseyLucy123 · 07/02/2022 14:28

DH and DC tested positive on LFTs today and are isolating. I know they’ve changed the rules so you don’t have to get a confirmatory PCR - but is there are secret reason why they should? Travel, medical records? Thanks for any info.

OP posts:
aLittleL1fe · 07/02/2022 14:41

Not anymore. I had covid in January when rules changed and did PCR for employer (proof of sickness) but 2 days after and it was no longer required.

You may need a NEGATIVE pcr result once you've recovered in order to attend certain events or travel. This is a bit odd and I hope the rules will change soon because you may show positive on PCR test for up to 90 days after you have recovered and are no longer infectious or unwell.

ifonly4 · 07/02/2022 15:25

I'd just check with DH's work place. I work in two places. Funnily enough the ones that I know requires it were willing to take my word, the other unexpectedly came back saying I need a PCR to confirm.

BogRollBOGOF · 07/02/2022 15:36

At present I wouldn't as there's no benefit to me from that official confirmation (work/ travel)

I did a PCR following a +lat flow at Christmas. DS2 had a faint line and was briefly off-colour. I just kept him isolated informally at that point as he was already off school for the duration and testing was hard to come by at that point. Other than official statistics (with our area surging to the peak) there was no personal benefit in seeking that confirmation. If we had travel coming up in the next 3 months, then that would have a benefit.

Mindymomo · 07/02/2022 15:40

You just register the positive LFT result online, so it will be noted in your records.

AnyFucker · 07/02/2022 15:42

Only for travel, it would appear

MaizeAmaze · 07/02/2022 16:38

I think you need the pcr if you claim the self isolation grant.

mynameiscalypso · 07/02/2022 16:42

If either is vulnerable and eligible for antivirals, apparently you need a PCR to confirm.

mulberrybag5 · 07/02/2022 21:52

Do you have to log the positive lft?

Whathefisgoingon · 08/02/2022 04:30

For travel or certain countries you require a lab confirmed recovery certificate, from what I’ve read only PCR are accepted for this. The way I see it is that anyone can ping a “positive” LFT in to the spot claiming they’ve had it, but only a lab result showing a positive PCR can be truly conclusive.

You also need it if you want to claim the support payment, or if you’re high risk so you’re on the list for anti virals etc

marqueses · 08/02/2022 06:22

@mulberrybag5

Do you have to log the positive lft?
I don't believ there's ever been any legal requirement to report lft results. There's no way to enforce that but why wouldnt you?
Schulte · 08/02/2022 07:23

Travel. If anyone in this household gets covid, we will get it confirmed by a PCR test.

WhatNoRaisins · 08/02/2022 07:26

No, it's not enforceable. I don't report any of mine.

marqueses · 08/02/2022 07:54

@WhatNoRaisins

No, it's not enforceable. I don't report any of mine.
May I ask why?

I assume you're responsible enough to isolate for a positive test so why wouldn't you log it to help know the true size of the epidemic

And if you're someone who wouldn't isolate why on earth would you do the test in the first place?

I don't get it

WhatNoRaisins · 08/02/2022 08:01

I get the test to protect other people I know and as a courtesy to those who ask. I simply don't feel I owe any more than that.

marqueses · 08/02/2022 08:08

@WhatNoRaisins

I get the test to protect other people I know and as a courtesy to those who ask. I simply don't feel I owe any more than that.
It's obvious why people don't report the negative tests but I'm interested in why you don't report the positive ones. It seems at odds with being courteous to people to not help the greater society by helping to track the epidemic.

Did you isolate when you were positive?

WhatNoRaisins · 08/02/2022 08:10

I'm fairly indifferent to greater society these days.

HallieLA · 08/02/2022 08:12

Can see why government rhetoric is that the numbers of positive cases are dropping....and claiming their success.

Schools are rife with COVID yet we keep being told rates are dropping.

I'm public sector and have everyday contact with COVID. I need PCR test results as part of my attendance management policy at work. COVID absence currently sits outside of usual attendance management ( 2 absences in 6 months leading to an attendance meeting and possible disciplinary).

WhatNoRaisins · 08/02/2022 08:13

For what it's worth I've not even had a positive LFT, I'm not convinced they are that reliable. I had to have a PCR when I was in hospital once and I would never willingly put myself through that again

PlinkPlankPlunk · 08/02/2022 08:15

Isn’t it part of the terms and conditions of getting the LFTs? I’m sure you click through to say you will report all results, when you order them. It’s pretty easy to report online

marqueses · 08/02/2022 08:24

@WhatNoRaisins

For what it's worth I've not even had a positive LFT, I'm not convinced they are that reliable. I had to have a PCR when I was in hospital once and I would never willingly put myself through that again
You can understand my confusion when you replied to a question about positive lfts when you've never had one Confused

Your attitude doesn't make sense anyway, if against the general scientific evidence that lfts are pretty reliable you think they aren't why do you waste your time and tests by ever doing them? You can't be that bothered about your contacts if you don't think they work. Do you beleive negative results but not positive ones?

WhatNoRaisins · 08/02/2022 08:26

I don't know what to believe anymore but I've a lot of people in my life who are reassured by me having a negative LFT do don't mind doing it for them.

marqueses · 08/02/2022 08:35

@WhatNoRaisins

I don't know what to believe anymore but I've a lot of people in my life who are reassured by me having a negative LFT do don't mind doing it for them.
Let's hope then that they are pretty accurate or it could be false reassurance I'm sure you can see the disconnect there. I guess you don't tell them tha you don't think the tests are accurate
WhatNoRaisins · 08/02/2022 08:39

I imagine it's more likely user failure than the tests themselves but we've had really high cases here, loads of my contacts have had horrible symptoms but we are all negative. I find it really hard to believe I've not been exposed to covid by now.

These people ask for a negative test rather than my opinion so I don't give it.

Flippydip · 08/02/2022 09:00

A few people I know have taken PCRs and it's turned out that the lateral flow was a false positive. So if a child is missing lots of school or you can't afford to be off work, I think it's fair to get a PCR to check the LFT is correct.

Only other reasons I can think of would be if you're going abroad and need proof of recovery.

VikingOnTheFridge · 08/02/2022 10:14

@PlinkPlankPlunk

Isn’t it part of the terms and conditions of getting the LFTs? I’m sure you click through to say you will report all results, when you order them. It’s pretty easy to report online
Maybe if you order online. I got given some at the chemist and didn't have to sign or agree to anything.
Swipe left for the next trending thread