I feel wretched, would you test?

[Namechangeof2021]

OH had a temperature last week and our children followed with temps closely after, they've also had snotty noses and a mild cough.

I got a bit of a tickly cough on Wednesday but didn't feel too bad until last night when i suddenly felt very unwell.

Awful nights sleep, boiling hot then freezing cold, my back and limbs all ache like I've been lifting weights. I feel horrific.

Fully vaxxed.

Would you bother testing or just ride it out without knowing?

I know two people personally (they are intelligent and capable of following guidance on how to test properly) who both had symptoms.

Felt crap. Did LFTs three days in a row. All negative.

On the middle day they also went for a PCR and the results came back positive.

So the lateral flow didn’t pick up the positive reading on the same day as the PCR did. Or even on the day after.

If they’d relied on that they’d have been out infecting people!

So I presume that once performing the test wrongly is ruled out, which it has been, it must be something to do with the LFT being less sensitive to viral load.

Incidentally these two incidences happened six months apart in different households using different LFT kits.

This must be why you go for a PCR if you have symptoms.

LFTs just aren't hugely accurate, they're better than nothing for testing and picking up some people who are A symptomatic. I know a few people including my ds who were positive from a PCR but tested negative at home with a LFT until about day 4.

If you have symptoms a PCR is recommended because a LFT might not pick it up and you could continue to spread it by going about your daily business.

Saying that, I'm not sure what the point is now all the restrictions have been scrapped.

This was my lateral flow test with symptoms - they definitely do still work.

There’s no harm in taking one as it may give you an idea if you have covid or not before you get the pcr results

@Sunflowerx

This was my lateral flow test with symptoms - they definitely do still work.

There’s no harm in taking one as it may give you an idea if you have covid or not before you get the pcr results

And a picture I obviously didn't mean to add 🙈 to stay on topic, she's currently covid free!

LFT do work with symptoms, my DH and DS tested positive using them yesterday, you don’t need to confirm it with a PCR and you can report your positive LRT online.

Lfts work with and without symptoms. Dc has just got over covid. First day exhibiting migraine symptoms but did a test as we'd had a busy weekend. Test was negative. Next day felt tired and listless, did a test which was positive. Took 10 days to get clear.
I'm on day 7 and other than tired and sniffly have no 'real' symptoms (occasional headache). Still getting a very strong positive.
As we have cev and elderly people in our usual social circle, we've isolated.

We just used LFTs.

@Sunflowerx she is SO sweet! I'm glad she's covid free

@Sunflowerx what a delicious baby! Please squidge her cheeks immediately.

@Cookerhood

I had read that lfts were not recommended if you had symptoms - presumably they’re less accurate if you’re symptomatic although i dont know why?? No they aren't. It's just a weird myth that has grown up because of the message that it was important to know if you have symptoms. LFTS were intended for population screening to pick up people who didn't know they have it, but they still work.

It was the paramedic at the surgery who was triaging patients before we could speak to a GP who told me - I wouldn’t normally listen to rumours, but he seemed to be someone who should know !

But yes they were intended for screening asymptomatic people. Has worked in my case though, with symptoms, at picking it up.

Will hopefully have some lateral flows in the next hour or so, then have an appointment for a PCR later on

Positive

Bummer OP. Hope you feel better soon.

Bummer - still waiting for my pcr.

@GeneLovesJezebel

Lateral flow was negative on the same day my DH had a positive PCR. LFT’s are meant for symptomless cases.

Not any more

Sorry to hear OP. You were right to check. Hope you're feeling OK.

I would do lft but not sure I would go for pcr if I got negative lft. I would probably repeat lft next day.