How long from symptoms until testing positive?

[FishFingerSandwiches4Tea]

Have had congestion, runny nose, sneezing and worsening cough for a couple of days but negative lft. Wondering if it might be hay-fever although symptoms are definitely worsening. Can I assume it's not covid or can it take a while to get a positive?

I'm exactly the same. Went for a PCR this evening so we'll see!

I had symptoms like you from Monday. I had a negative LFT on Monday, Tues and Weds. Then decided to PCR on Weds as I knew the symptoms were covid like and I had been exposed to it. The PCR was positive despite the negative LFTs.

Your symptoms do sound covid like so I would PCR while they are still available.

I had all the same symptoms as you. Mine started on a Sunday, I didn't feel a positive LFT until Wednesday

I had the same. Negative lateral flow, negative PCR. Might just be a cold

I also was testing daily due to close contact last week and I was snotty and had a sore throat and a cough. Negative LFTs Fri-Weds. However, I woke up on Weds with no voice (never happened to me before) and I didn't believe the LFT so I went for a PCR - lo and behold, it was positive!!

Me too - awful cold symptoms so went for a PCR this morning so just waiting now. Zoe app says that if you have a cold in London right now (where I am) it's probably going to be Covid.

My DC tested positive last Tuesday and Wednesday. I've done a LFT every day since. Started with a horrendous sore throat last weekend and a bad cough on Sunday night. Did LFTs until Wednesday of this week, all negative.

Coincidentally got selected to do an antibody test. Sent sample off on Monday and found out today I'm positive. Did two more LFTs today, still negative.

If it hadn't been for the antibody test I'd never have known for sure that I had it.

My lateral Flows didn't show I was positive either. Had a pcr on day 4 of symptoms which was positive. Still no positive LF 7 days later

I tested negative on LFTs, positive on PCR. If in doubt get a PCR.

Positive same day as symptoms started here

I had a negative LFT and negative PCR first day of symptoms, LFT was positive next morning.

Started Monday with a sore throat and headache and tired (ds tested positive Saturday) but negative lft each day. Friday morn still had headache and sore throat but also felt full of cold and exhausted - positive lft and confirmed with pcr. Today feel exhausted and still have the cold symptoms and sore throat - not really got much of a cough and no fever though. Still have smell and taste at the moment. Have also had stomach ache and feeling sick during the night. So lots of symptoms but not the main 3. On and I itch a lot particularly on my arms!!

DD tested positive on 10/3 and DP on 22/3. I’ve been at home with them both throughout and started with v mild symptoms (slight sore throat/ears/glands, v slight runny nose and tired) on about 17/3. Tested negative until yesterday 25/3. I’m sure I was brewing it/fighting it off all that time. Feeling worse today, not much in the way of actual symptoms but zero energy and just feel rough and very grumpy.

Woke up with runny nose today, tested positive 2 hours later. Feel fine, like a mild cold but no Mother’s Day lunch for me!

@WhatIsThisPlease

My DC tested positive last Tuesday and Wednesday. I've done a LFT every day since. Started with a horrendous sore throat last weekend and a bad cough on Sunday night. Did LFTs until Wednesday of this week, all negative.

Coincidentally got selected to do an antibody test. Sent sample off on Monday and found out today I'm positive. Did two more LFTs today, still negative.

If it hadn't been for the antibody test I'd never have known for sure that I had it.

Positive antibodies don't mean you've got it? They mean you've had it in the past or had a vaccine.

Negative PCR today, must just be a cold!

Positive lateral flow approx 48h after symptoms started. Lateral flow negative at 24h.

Cold and headache Sat and Sun, positive LFT on Monday. Seems to be a similar pattern at the moment.

Symptoms and positive LFT the same day

Bit of a mix then! I started with a stuffy nose early hours of Thursday morning and now have a horrendous cough. Still testing negative though 🤷‍♀️

My friend has taken ages to turn positive after the onset of symptoms. He's still a strong positive too.

Hope you're all feeling better soon.