Will a PCR pick up covid at earlier point than LFT?

[Absentmindedwoman]

I feel like I should know this at this stage but I don't!

I have proper cold/ sinus symptoms since Wednesday. Did home test which was negative. Felt worse yesterday, so went for PCR. They also did a rapid test which again was negative.

I read about people not testing positive on LFTs until day 4 or 5. Could the more sensitive PCR test have picked up a covid infection yesterday, even though the others were negative?

I actually feel quite a lot better today, but am asking mainly because I have two really important hospital appointments next week and of course I do not want to bring covid in if I have it. PCR tests are taking at least 3 days to get results where I am though so can't really get another in time say on Monday.

Yes, the PCRs are just generally more sensitive.

I mean maybe I should do another LFT the day before I go even if I'm completely ok by then? If that is also negative, that surely should almost certainly mean I just have a cold, and not covid?

Thank you.

So have you not got your PCR result? GPp recently told me our hospital are doing three LFTs at once as a particular strain of Omicron is given 2/3 false negatives.

PCRs are more sensitive. They will pick up the infection sooner than a lateral flow because they can detect on a lower viral load.

I really trust PCRs. I know how pathetically not through my swabbing of DC was and that came back positive.

Nope, not got PCR result (tested yesterday) and I reckon it will be Monday before I hear back because of the weekend.

Yes, I am trying to have confidence in the PCR as they are indeed more sensitive. I guess I just wonder if there's still a thing as 'too early' for a positive result even if you are in fact harbouring covid even with PCR.

That's interesting and kind of alarming about the 2/3 false negs on LFTs for Omicron! Woah.

They do but not sure how much earlier. I'd say there definitely is such a thing as too early as I got a negative PCR on my first day of symptoms though in my case it was about 2 hours after symptoms started. This was about 4pm, LFT the next morning was faintly positive.