Would you do a PCR in this situation?

[BlackInk]

DD10 woke this morning with a 'spinny head' and saying her throat feels funny, which is her way of describing feeling queasy I think. Also on/off mid/lower tummy ache. I kept her home from school and did a LFT which was negative. She still feels the same now, maybe a little bit better. She feels slightly warmish but her temperature is just about within normal range, ranging from 37.3 to 37.5.
I'm not aware of any Covid in her class at school but cases here (Gloucestershire) are way higher than they've ever been.

NHS website says only to PCR if you have one of the 3 main symptoms, which she doesn't (quite).

What would you do?

I'm thinking LFT again tomorrow and only get PCR if she develops one of the main symptoms...

Yeah keep lfting

I would do a pcr.. the 3 main symptons have no relation to current symptoms

@Starlightstarbright1

I would do a pcr.. the 3 main symptons have no relation to current symptoms

No they don't and there is a chance it is covid. But if everyone did a pcr for all the actual symptoms the labs would be overrun.

Ha ha, one of each so far.
I just wish she either definitely had a fever or definitely didn't!

If its going to bother you until you know then maybe just do one and get it out the way.

Nhs says to do a PCR if you have an increased temp. 37.5 is an increased temp so yes I would.

LFTs are only really meant to be used if you're asymptomatic so I'd do a PCR. I think it's because LFTs only pick up v high viral loads, and by the time you have symptoms your viral load is lower so you risk getting a false negative. Hope she feels better soon.

@Duracellbunnywannabe
The gov website doesn't say what temperature is considered a fever in relation to Covid testing (or if it does I can't find it!). NHS website says 38 and above for children.
So she doesn't have a fever, but possibly increased from her usual temperature. I don't really know as I only check it when she's not well.

@bunpot
This is what the gov website says – only to PCR with 1 of the 3 main symptoms. I know the 3 main symptoms need updating, but this is the current advice.

When DS had Covid back in October he got a strong positive on LFT 2 days before his symptoms started so they worked well for him then.

Maybe I will see how she is in the morning and repeat LFT then. But will definitely book a PCR if she develops any of the big 3!

I currently have Covid. Mine started with a dry cough and a sore throat. Then aches and chills. It's horrible.

No, I've stopped testing at all apart from dh and the kids have to test for work and college.

[quote BlackInk]@Duracellbunnywannabe
The gov website doesn't say what temperature is considered a fever in relation to Covid testing (or if it does I can't find it!). NHS website says 38 and above for children.
So she doesn't have a fever, but possibly increased from her usual temperature. I don't really know as I only check it when she's not well.[/quote]
They originally said anything above 37.8 and then changed to it to this. You say yourself that their temp is high than normal.

The main thing is that you are keeping her at home, regardless of a negative LFT. DS2 complained of feeling dizzy one evening and initially tested negative. But he felt the same next morning and I decided to do another test, which was a very, very faint positive. I'm glad I retested. He went on to develop a mild sore throat and slight cough and was testing negative by day 7.

There has been a lot of information around LFTs and Omicron and it seems wise to assume that cold symptoms are Covid, even with a negative test, because the test can be positive just hours later. Another LFT tomorrow sounds sensible.

My first symptom was dizziness, especially when I leaned forward. Incidentally, my positive only showed up on a throat and nose swab. Flowflex was negative, but I decided not to believe it and did one of the other tests!

Hope your DD will be over it soon (whatever she has!)

@crossstitchingnana

I currently have Covid. Mine started with a dry cough and a sore throat. Then aches and chills. It's horrible.

Mine started with "spinning head" and aches. My throat was fine.

Next week it wont matter if test is positive or not - people wont have to isolate regardless.

Treat it like any other illness- if she's too unwell to go out, then stay in. Next week there will be no requirement to stay in with covid so what does it matter whether she has it or not

How would she cope with a PCR and even if it's negative is she well enough to go out? With the rules likely to change from Monday if she going to be off school the rest of the week I wouldn't bother. On a side note we've just had a sickness bug in the house that was like your daughters symptoms

@Watapalava
Well, it matters because we don't want to spread Covid about and put vulnerable people at risk, and next week we still won't want to either.

For what it's worth FIL is very high risk (COPD) and DP is visiting him regularly. My mum is in her late 70s and sister T1 diabetic. If we have Covid in the house it would be good to know. Most other mild viruses wouldn't finish FIL off, Covid almost certainly would.

@vickyc90
DD's only mildly under the weather. Still feels dizzy but has eaten normally today and pretty content playing in her room while I work. Probably not well enough to have been in school today, but may well be tomorrow...

[quote BlackInk]@vickyc90
DD's only mildly under the weather. Still feels dizzy but has eaten normally today and pretty content playing in her room while I work. Probably not well enough to have been in school today, but may well be tomorrow...[/quote]
How would she cope with the PCR as she doesn't have to test by the rules, can you keep your distance from FIL for a few days and do LFT just to be sure.

Nope.

No. Can't remember the last test I did actually! I'd just do a further LFT tomorrow and if negative assume a cold/other virus - loads out there.

Well, she feels totally well today and another negative LFT so she's gone to school. Hopefully the right decision!