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Original poster

Just tested positive, eligible for antivirals - what happens next?

35 replies

TypicaIMe · 12/03/2022 17:05

DD tested positive on Wednesday, DH this morning so it was just a matter of time really. I've registered my positive LFT and it said they'd gat back to me if I'm eligible for antivirals, which I already know I am.

If you've been in this situation, what happened next? How long did you have to wait for them to contact you? And what form did your treatment take - did you need to go into hospital for a drip or was it pills you took at home?

I'm panicking a little bit as I'm immunosuppressed (I'm on methotrexate for RA). I've been feeling a bit ropey for a few days, but today I feel breathless and fluey.

I had my fourth jab last Sunday - is it too soon for it to have had any effect re lessening symptoms?

Sorry for all the questions. Feeling a bit at sixes and sevens right now and just babbling really!

Thanks in advance Flowers

OP posts:
ConfusedGin · 12/03/2022 17:26

The system should match your NHS record and positive test and start the process to get them delivered locally within the 5 days. If you haven't been contacted within 24 hours, call 111 at the weekend or your GP. They can confirm eligibility and move the process alone.

Hope you get them soon.

hashbrownsandwich · 12/03/2022 17:27

There is an automatic system for dispatch but you have to have a PCR, NOT just register a lateral flow. I know this as I work in this field.

ConfusedGin · 12/03/2022 17:28

Oh and, there is evidence that boosters work quicker to give protection than initial courses so at 7 days, you should hopefully have a layer of protection from that 4th dose

ConfusedGin · 12/03/2022 17:43

The Panoramic trial does accept positive LFTs. The entry requirements have been updated to reflect that LFTs no longer need PCR confirmation.

Although many people eligible for the trials have received a PCR to keep at home, the system isn't in place to replenish these quickly enough if people test for symptoms but get a negative. LFT should be more readily available which is another reason why they are accepted

Original poster
TypicaIMe · 12/03/2022 17:45

@hashbrownsandwich my consultant said that an LFT was fine, and the govt website seems to confirm this? I've registered my result and it didn't ask me to do a PCR (I do have one at home so can if I'm asked).

Just tested positive, eligible for antivirals - what happens next?
OP posts:
Original poster
TypicaIMe · 12/03/2022 17:46

@ConfusedGin

Oh and, there is evidence that boosters work quicker to give protection than initial courses so at 7 days, you should hopefully have a layer of protection from that 4th dose
This is really reassuring, thank you - I thought it'd be like the other vaccines and take a couple of weeks to work.
OP posts:
Original poster
TypicaIMe · 12/03/2022 17:49

@ConfusedGin

The system should match your NHS record and positive test and start the process to get them delivered locally within the 5 days. If you haven't been contacted within 24 hours, call 111 at the weekend or your GP. They can confirm eligibility and move the process alone.

Hope you get them soon.

Thank you!

I really hope it's medication I can take at home rather than going into hospital. I'm incredibly grateful either way of course, but the idea of going into hospital for covid related stuff is giving me the heebie-jeebies a bit!

OP posts:
NotquitewhatImeant · 12/03/2022 18:31

I had to call my GP and they then referred me to the unit at the hospital. I was given the choice of the tablets or the drip. They suggested the drip was much better with fewer side effects so I went in to have that. It was really easy and simple - 30 mins and then 15mins sitting around and then home. The whole unit was just 6 patients at a time and it was very relaxed, radio playing and a cup of tea. Much nicer and less stressful than expected. I felt so much better 48hrs later. Good luck!

NotquitewhatImeant · 12/03/2022 18:32

Oh and LFTs are fine. They told me that was fine since rules changed?

Stormchaser1502 · 12/03/2022 19:21

I tested positive yesterday. Last night got a text to say nhs would contact me within 5 days as I was eligible for antivirals.
I’ve not heard anything yet.
My symptoms started prob wed. Although all week I’ve been wiped. Not sure what to do either so watching with interest.
I feel hideous one min then ok. Then hideous as soon as I get up to walk across the room….

Original poster
TypicaIMe · 12/03/2022 21:55

Ugh, feeling really ropey now. Like you @Stormchaser1502 I've had symptoms for a few days but they're really kicking in now. DH and DD seem coldy but otherwise ok. I however have a burning chest (as if I've been running), aches all over, chills, sinus pain and am wobbly when I walk.

I called 111 for advice and a clinician called back to tell me that my local hospital would be in touch within 24 hours to assess me. I'm wondering if it'll be like 111 and they might call in the middle of the night?

@NotquitewhatImeant your experience with the drip has made me rethink my hospital heebie-jeebies! It sounds very convenient. Only issue would be getting to hospital, neither me or DH drive.

Thank you for all your responses!

OP posts:
Stormchaser1502 · 12/03/2022 22:35

Op - sorry you’re really feeling it now. It’s totally crappy isn’t it!!
Things have ramped up for me too today. The weakness is unreal!! My chest is beginning to burn too.

I’m worried though as I’m not sure when day 1 was. I tested pos yesterday (Friday) morning but I’d had symptoms probably from tues or wed, which now means I’ve missed the 5 day cut off!!

Original poster
TypicaIMe · 13/03/2022 06:18

@Stormchaser1502 how are you this morning? I slept like a log but I've woken up feeling as if I haven't slept a wink. Like you I'm not really sure when day one was - I've had cold-like symptoms for almost a week but what I have now dies feel different. DD had a cold for about a fortnight before testing positive. I think maybe we've had a cold and then caught Covid, too? I test daily because of my medication so I know I've been negative.

I got an email late last night inviting me onto the Panoramic trial - is that the same as the NHS antiviral treatment or something separate, does anyone know? Anyway I filled in the form and they said they'd get back to me.

OP posts:
Stormchaser1502 · 13/03/2022 06:24

Morning op.
I’ve woken in pain..again. The side I sleep on, makes me feel like my ear drum is going to explode!! Same yesterday!! So I’ve just had decongestant and paracetamol in the hope it helps it! Feels like my ear will explode!
It’s my birthday today too!!
I had an email about the trial also. I think it’s different as my Dh had the trial email but not the nhs ‘according to your records email’.

Urgh I just want Covid to sod off now!! 😞

Jins · 13/03/2022 06:28

The panoramic trial is testing a drug and there’s a 50% chance you’ll get it. I signed up after my positive test and was assigned to the usual NHS care group. I do have access to a helpline and they’ve called a couple of times to see how I’m doing so it was with it for me.

The NHS treatment for those eligible for antivirals is separate.

Original poster
TypicaIMe · 13/03/2022 06:35

@Stormchaser1502 oh no! I hope your birthday is as happy as it can be given you're lurgy laden FlowersCakeWine Make sure you have the mother of all celebrations when you're feeling better!

@Jins ah I see. Hopefully I'll hear back from the hospital in the next few hours - I've had some time to think about it and I've cast my concerns aside, and actually would prefer the drip option if it's offered. I like the idea of it being all over and done with in one go and (hopefully!) feeling better the next day. Fingers crossed!

OP posts:
Jins · 13/03/2022 06:39

I hope you hear soon. I’m not eligible for the NHS treatment as they class my asthma as mild but I signed up for the trial in the hope of getting antivirals.

Mindymomo · 13/03/2022 11:05

My DH tested positive on LFT on Thursday. I registered it and he got a message that he maybe eligible for anti virals. He got a really bad cough throughout the day and was in pain so I called my GP to ask. They arranged for him to be seen later that day in the medical assessment unit. They checked him over, gave him antibiotics but said although he has had major heart surgery he doesn’t qualify for the anti viral drugs, but he felt better having been checked and all his stats were good.

ConfusedGin · 13/03/2022 11:09

Certain conditions and severity should grant you immediate access to approved treatments on the NHS. Panoramic is the study looking at which wider conditions could benefit from the treatments. So "only" being eligible for Panoramic is good in a way, but I appreciate it's little reassurance!

Glad 111 helped you. I have heard stories of it not always working as it should but didn't want to worry you with that yesterday!

Abraxan · 13/03/2022 11:18

For antivirals you normally need to have a PCR for it to start the process. I would go and get one today if at all possible. Do you have the special red sticker one at home? If not, go to a test centre today and get one. My results were back within 24 hours.

My process didn't start automatically. I called my GP first thing in the Monday (typically mine was over weekend too) who was able to get the ball rolling.

You need to have the antiviral infusion by day 5.

I wouldn't rely on the gp saying it is just an LFT. This isn't what I was told at the end of January and certainly my LFT result did not trigger anything. The GP, the covid helpline and the hospital unit all said a PCR was required.

Abraxan · 13/03/2022 11:20

Ah, reading more posts rules may have changed re accessing antivirals. That makes it easier if so.

Mine was an antiviral infusion. It took half an hour at the local hospital, with half an hour wait afterwards. Was all very well organised. I started to improve quickly after it. I had mine on day 5.

NotquitewhatImeant · 13/03/2022 13:52

@TypicaIMe that’s what I liked about it - the getting it over with aspect. Hope you get sorted with your treatment soon. I found the waiting to get contacted etc the most stressful bit as I felt so out of it but still wanted to have my phone on the whole time.

Cookerhood · 13/03/2022 17:00

DH got the antivirals within about 26 hours of his positive LFT. No PCR needed although he had already sent it off. We had to get someone to collect them from the local hospital which was a bit of a pain.

Original poster
TypicaIMe · 13/03/2022 17:09

Update: I had to call 111 again as advised because they didn't get back to me within 24 hours. I've just spoken to a nurse and she's passed my details on to the local hospital who will send my medication out in a taxi in the next few hours. She said they may call me to confirm address etc first.

I'm really starting to feel like utter dogshit now. I had to take some towels out of the washing machine earlier and the weight of them made me feel really breathless. I feel like I could sleep for a month!

OP posts:
Original poster
TypicaIMe · 13/03/2022 21:55

Still waiting and feeling really rough now. I wonder if it's normal to wait this long?

OP posts: