When are people testing positive?

[Wonderwoman333]

I have had the following symptoms for 4 days.

Very dry irritating cough, very similar to when I had covid (delta)in September.
Legs aching
Sore throat
Fatigue
Feeling hot but not recording a high temperature
Lack of appetite

I have tested negative each day but been surprised by this.

Just wondered if I had covid would it have likely shown up as positive by now on LFTs? I guess I will have to assume that it is a different cold/virus!

DS has Covid at the moment. He started with symptoms on Tues, tested him Weds afternoon and it was negative, tested again Fri morning and a strong positive. I've heard of some people not testing positive for 5-10 days though, despite glaringly obvious Covid symptoms.

I had this, tested negative for 4 days, gave up testing as just presumed a bad cold, them got an upset tummy on something like day 8, tested again and positive, but was only positive that I knew about for 2 days.

The leg pain I think is a sign that it’s Covid, sorry. I’m on day 8 and sore legs were my main symptom. Didn’t test positive till day 4.

Felt rough on Thursday with head and throat. Negative test.
Spent Friday in bed. Legs like lead, fatigue ontop of the above. Vibrant positive Friday evening.
Did nothing yesterday.
Cough started last night, and stuffy nose, runny eyes started today.

Nothing at all until sore throat Fri evening. Tested positive Sat morning 6am.

This time around, I had a sore throat for three days with negative tests. Then a cough started on day four so I tested again and it was a very strong positive. Tested negative three days after that. My husband had similar symptoms for about a week but didn’t test positive at all.

For comparison, the first time we had Covid (earlier this year), we all got strong positive tests from the onset of symptoms that stayed positive for 9-10 days, so this version has definitely behaved differently for us.

3rd day but had mild symptoms

What I want to know is when I will test negative again! It’s so frustrating, I feel fine, only tired but test line still there.

I had Covid in January and didn't test positive on LFT until days 8 and 9 of symptoms. I had a positive PCR days earlier than that.

I suspect I had Covid again a couple of weeks ago - had symptoms a few days after long meeting with a positive case (he tested next day!) but was never positive on PCR.

OP - I replied to a message you left on a thread I left similar to yours.
My symptoms been very similar to yours but achy limbs only lasted first couple days. Yesterday I was shocked how tired I still was getting up for short time but today have managed to do more. But where as throat I thought was easing that feels worse. But yet another neg covid. I wish in a way I could just feel chilled like a lot of folk and believe the neg test and just get on with my life - as much as I feel able (luckily due to other personal circumstances I am not working so don't have that to worry about).
get well soon!

I had a sore throat Wednesday night. Cold symptoms Thursday onwards. Tested Friday with a very strong red line.

I tested positive 5 days after symptoms started! I knew I had covid as my partner had it and was very surprised to still be testing negative. The day I woke up feeling the worst was when I tested positive