Still testing positive on Day 10

[Moonberri]

I had covid fairly badly. Fever for 6 days, lots of horrible symptoms. Feeling 90% better now, just tired and a bit dizzy and still have a cough.

I have been isolating from family so thought I would come out of isolation on Day 10, which is tomorrow. But I'm still testing strongly positive. We're meant to go and visit my elderly parents. Most things I've read said you're unlikely to be infectious after Day 10 but others say that if you have a strong positive test then you're still infectious.

Not sure what to do...

Personally I wouldn't meet my parents if I still tested strongly positive,

I'd stay away a little bit longer, to be honest. Only because I would never forgive myself if they got badly ill because of me.

That's what I'm thinking too. But how long?! I could test positive for another 10 days!

It's not that likely to be 10 days. Testing positive to 12 or 13 seemed fairly common back in the day though.

Have they had a vaccine recently?

Because most elderly people had one in June didn't they? And it's supposed to stop them getting really unwell 🤷🏻‍♀️

They've had all the vaccines available but I'd still rather not give it to them!

What concerns me is that the tests aren't getting any lighter at all. I still get an immediate thick dark line as soon as the liquid touches the test. We have birthday plans and all sorts arranged with them. They would be very disappointed if we cancelled but I also really don't want to be the one who gives them covid!

I think we will delay until its Day 14 for me and then even if I'm still testing positive I would have thought I won't still be contagious by then?

At February half term my parents gave me covid. They were testing negative after 7 days. I had to go back to work (teacher) after 7 days due to the guidelines (I was feeling 90% better) but still had a strong positive line. The line didn't start to fade until day 11. It went on day 15 and I still felt rough then unlike my parents who were back to their usual lives. I felt so guilty going into school knowing that I was still positive but it was that or no pay and a disciplinary for not following the guidelines. Thankfully none of the students I teach tested positive in the following weeks. I avoided all staff. So it is possible that the information about no longer being contagious is right. However I don't think I could go near my parents if I was in your position just in case.

Hi, I was just wondering if you would be able to tel me when you eventually started to test negative?

I'm in the same position, I've been testing positive for 8 days and the line is still extremely dark. My mum is extremely vulnerable with a lot of hospital appointments coming up so don't want to infect her (or my dad her carer).

@niclw "So it is possible that the information about no longer being contagious is right." Thanks for posting - where is this info? Last I checked around 2/3 still positive after day five. Most negative by day ten. Thanks.

Re: testing positive. Lateral flows show current positivity. PCRs however can remain positive for some post infection.