Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

What are people doing if still positive after 5 days? Not testing?

54 replies

Frazzled2207 · 02/05/2022 14:41

Tested + on Saturday so today is day 2 for me and today’s test is about as purple as it’s possible to be despite me being not poorly just sniffly.

Am def going to stay in the house (perhaps do some isolated walks) until day 5 as per the guidance but what are people doing after that if still testing positive? (I have heard that 10 days plus is very common). Possibly not testing at all so just going about their business in their normal way?

am very aware that legally I can ignore it completely just wondering what other people are doing. Doesn’t feel right to be socialising or going shopping if I am still positive.

OP posts:
BeenToldComputerSaysNo · 02/05/2022 18:16

We had it over Easter. All isolated til negative. Aware not everyone can do this. Also aware some will choose not to do this.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 02/05/2022 18:20

I went out and about on Day 11. Word a mask though as was still testing positive.

Original poster
Frazzled2207 · 02/05/2022 18:20

BeenToldComputerSaysNo · 02/05/2022 18:16

We had it over Easter. All isolated til negative. Aware not everyone can do this. Also aware some will choose not to do this.

It does seem like the right thing to do doesn’t it.
we have a stockpile of tests so can do this but the fact that tests now have to be paid for suggests that this is no longer expected

OP posts:
BeenToldComputerSaysNo · 02/05/2022 18:39

I guess lots of other countries have to pay too.

Original poster
Frazzled2207 · 02/05/2022 18:41

BeenToldComputerSaysNo · 02/05/2022 18:39

I guess lots of other countries have to pay too.

While this is true I’m not sure many others countries are used to daily LFT testing like we do. My American friends think it’s strange I would test again after testing positive and would generally isolate until feeling better. Which could be a long time before testing negative!

OP posts:
OnceAgainWithFeeling · 02/05/2022 18:42

Guidance is you should isolate until a negative test, isn’t it? Earliest being days 6 and 7?

Original poster
Frazzled2207 · 02/05/2022 18:51

@OnceAgainWithFeeling
no is five days after testing positive so the day you test is day 0 and then you can go out on day 6 regardless. According to the guidelines.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-and-treatment/when-to-self-isolate-and-what-to-do/

OP posts:
Original poster
Frazzled2207 · 02/05/2022 18:54

(I’m in England sorry am aware rules are different elsewhere)

OP posts:
Grumpybutfunny · 02/05/2022 18:57

I tested positive on Saturday morning aswell. Work for the NHS so have to test negative before I can go back. Today is my worst day yet don't think I could manage to go out even if I wanted to.

My plan is to do the 10 days then go back to normal other than work. I so far haven't managed to infect the other half so don't think I have a high viral load.

Toponeniceone · 02/05/2022 19:01

I'd just do the 5 days if you feel well. I'm day 6 and still feel rubbish. Ds is now fine after a bad initial 24 hours and will be returning to school after 3 days off as per government guidance.

Original poster
Frazzled2207 · 02/05/2022 19:04

Toponeniceone · 02/05/2022 19:01

I'd just do the 5 days if you feel well. I'm day 6 and still feel rubbish. Ds is now fine after a bad initial 24 hours and will be returning to school after 3 days off as per government guidance.

Yes agree my son went back after the 3 days. I didn’t test him again after the first 3 days tbh. He’s missed enough school and his mates.

feel I should be a bit more responsible though despite feeling well.
hope you and @Grumpybutfunny feel better soon

OP posts:
Original poster
Frazzled2207 · 02/05/2022 19:04

Sorry i meant to say i didn’t test him after the first test

OP posts:
Toponeniceone · 02/05/2022 19:07

My line was so weak today so that makes me feel better.

OnceAgainWithFeeling · 02/05/2022 20:16

Toponeniceone · 02/05/2022 19:07

My line was so weak today so that makes me feel better.

The strength of the line is not relevant. Positive is positive.

Original poster
Frazzled2207 · 02/05/2022 20:21

@OnceAgainWithFeeling

i get that but I think anyone would feel relieved if their line was getting lighter after being so dark!

OP posts:
Toponeniceone · 02/05/2022 20:25

The line is irrelevant anyway as it could be there for months, but obviously it's good to see it fading away...

Bumblefuzz · 02/05/2022 21:38

I'm on day 5. My tests since Wednesday have been really dark lines that appear before the control line. Tested this morning and seemed a bit lighter. Tried again at lunchtime and was really feint. Was really hoping for a negative (or nearly negative) tonight, but it's got darker! 😔 I know that 3 tests per day is a bit obsessive, I'm just anxious to get back to my team at work and also have an event on Thursday for DH's birthday, that it's looking likely I'm going to have to miss.

Original poster
Frazzled2207 · 02/05/2022 22:45

Bumblefuzz · 02/05/2022 21:38

I'm on day 5. My tests since Wednesday have been really dark lines that appear before the control line. Tested this morning and seemed a bit lighter. Tried again at lunchtime and was really feint. Was really hoping for a negative (or nearly negative) tonight, but it's got darker! 😔 I know that 3 tests per day is a bit obsessive, I'm just anxious to get back to my team at work and also have an event on Thursday for DH's birthday, that it's looking likely I'm going to have to miss.

ah get well soon. The last time I was frantically testing and comparing darkness of lines was when I was in the early stages of getting pregnant!
except back then you wanted them to get darker not lighter 😂

OP posts:
boonducks · 03/05/2022 15:45

Toponeniceone · 02/05/2022 20:25

The line is irrelevant anyway as it could be there for months, but obviously it's good to see it fading away...

Lateral flow tests won't be positive for months, perhaps PCR which are more sensitive.
A pos LFT is a good indication that you are infectious.
Oddly DS was quite ill after testing + before symptoms, but was neg on day 6.

VanGoghsDog · 03/05/2022 15:52

I'm day six, still have cough and fatigue, but I had an urgent eye appointment I already put off from last week and I called them this morning and they said to come so I have done.

I can't test as I don't have any tests, don't have anyone to get one for me, nowhere within walking distance has them and I'm not allowed to drive now I've had the eye drops. Might see if Boots in town has them since I'm here, before I get a taxi home. If I can see enough to get there! (Never been so I'm not sure where it even is!).

Fishwishy · 03/05/2022 17:57

I am on day 10 positive asymptomatic.

Fishwishy · 03/05/2022 18:03

OnceAgainWithFeeling · 02/05/2022 20:16

The strength of the line is not relevant. Positive is positive.

Show quote history

Indeed on day 8 my line got lighter before getting darker on day 10. I assume I getting better.

Loobyloo68 · 03/05/2022 20:07

I've been told to return to work whether I'm positive or not after 7 days. So tomorrow I'm back in even though I'm still positive. Doesn't make sense. No wonder 17 of the 27 staff have been off in the last 3 weeks. Go in and spread it!!!

VanGoghsDog · 03/05/2022 20:09

Boots only seemed to sell tests for asymptomatic people, so I didn't get one.

Original poster
Frazzled2207 · 03/05/2022 20:13

Fishwishy · 03/05/2022 17:57

I am on day 10 positive asymptomatic.

Gosh how tedious. And are you isolating?

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread