Lateral flow and PCR - can anyone help with my worrying, please?

[spiderpiggy]

I know this is a lot of fuss, but being off work makes me horribly anxious, and I haven't got anyone to talk to today.

I have had a cold over the weekend, and did a lateral flow test yesterday which was negative. Still feeling rubbish this morning, but was dressed and ready for work when I realised that there was a very faint line on the test that I left out from yesterday. Obviously, this is meaningless as it was over 12 hours since I took it, but I've never seen a line before not matter how long it's been left, so it made me think. I did another one, and it came back faintly positive straight away.

I contacted the school where I work and said that I had a very faint positive, then messaged again to say that as it developed further it became quite a strong line. They have come back and asked for a PCR, even though when I logged the later flow result, the NHS website said I didn't need one.

I feel like they think I'm lying, as I know they haven't asked other colleagues who've been off in the last couple of weeks for a PCR. I'm hardly ever off, though, so I don't know why they'd think that.

I've been for the PCR this morning, but my biggest fear is that it will come back negative and then it really will look like I'm a liar. I'm so anxious and weak-minded that I actually feel like I faked it now, despite have the positive LF in front of me !

Quite honestly, I wish I hadn't tested now, but I didn't want to give it to more of my colleagues as we are struggling for staff alrerady.

Gosh your work aren't being very kind to you. Hope you don't feel too porrly and you get the result from the PCR that you want xx

Oh no you are in a tizz if that's why people go for Pcrs don't they to make sure, if it comes back negative your boss will be relieved to have you back at work and if its positive then isolation it is sadly.

My dd needed a PCR for work even though LFT was positive I think employers are still asking for them

I think they would 100% rather have someone who didn't have covid in school than someone who did – as that will have a much bigger knock on effect than your taking one day to be sure. They are also almost certainly not spending as much time thinking about it as you - you will just be someone who is off with possible Covid in their book. Don't worry and rest up so you feel better when you do go back.

(((Hugs))) the teachers at my schools have been asked for PCRs but the TAs haven’t. I was told it’s something to do with insurance. It’s standard procedure - please don’t worry x

I had a very faint line and school asked me to get a PCR. One of the questions when booking it is have you been asked to do it by work, and do you work in education, so you're definitely allowed to do one. If you're normally in work and are a reliable member of staff, no-one will question it, please don't worry.

Knew you’d work in a school before I even read that part of your post. Terrible position to be in but very common attitude from some school leaders.

Thank you all. I know when I’m feeling like this I can overthink things. Probably it’s just because I said the line was faint at first that they asked me to check, but it has made me feel like a fraud!

I have some horrible nose and throat lateral flows that I have never used because I don’t like them, so I tried one of those and it was positive too. I suppose if the PCR is negative though, I go to work, despite three positive, different brand lateral flows? I’ll do that if that’s what they want, but it seems odd.

I work in a school. They've made it very clear that we need a PCR even though we tested positive on a LFT, and they did ask for one when I tested positive.

@spiderpiggy

Thank you all. I know when I’m feeling like this I can overthink things. Probably it’s just because I said the line was faint at first that they asked me to check, but it has made me feel like a fraud!

I have some horrible nose and throat lateral flows that I have never used because I don’t like them, so I tried one of those and it was positive too. I suppose if the PCR is negative though, I go to work, despite three positive, different brand lateral flows? I’ll do that if that’s what they want, but it seems odd.

Unless they're all really faint then it is far far more likely to get a false negative PCR than 3 false positive LFTs. Of course whether your work accepts that is a different matter.

In the unlikely event that you are negative on PCR, you could send them a photo of the positive LFTs and ask if they really want you in (assuming you still feel well enough to work).

Maybe send the photo to a few colleagues too, if you have their numbers - just so everyone knows you've got it and are still being asked to go in.