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Original poster

Lots round us obvs got covid but not testing positive?

74 replies

Don'tcallthepolice · 27/09/2023 07:49

My dd 13 tested positive on Monday.

3 of her friends she had a sleepover with have all since been ill with coughing and sore throats. They tested negative.

Husband definitely has covid coughing with breathing difficulties. He has tested negative.

I have also felt Ill but tested negative.

Anyone else finding this. Are the over the counter tests no longer picking these new strains up!

OP posts:
DonaNobisPacem · 27/09/2023 07:51

Often you don't test positive on day 1 of symptoms- worth retesting after a few days.

SuperfluousToRequirements · 27/09/2023 07:51

Are they swabbing throat and nose? I’ve seen a lot of info about nose only not picking it up.
Way back when PCR testing was a thing, I know a family of 6 where only one DC tested positive on LFT but the whole family was positive PCR so it’s possible.

Kashmirisky · 27/09/2023 08:12

I’ve tested positive today, first started feeling unwell on Saturday. Definitely test a few days on.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 27/09/2023 08:22

It took 4 tests before I was positive.

itsmyp4rty · 27/09/2023 08:23

I didn't test positive until a few days after I developed symptoms.

CovidintheHouse23 · 27/09/2023 08:31

I tested positive doing a throat and nose swab on day three.

PosterBoy · 27/09/2023 08:33

Coughing and sore throats could be anything.

Presumably also other covid specific symptoms?

TooOldForThisNonsense · 27/09/2023 08:34

I tested negative initially when I had it in March. It was just like a mild cold. Only tested the next day as I had tests about to run out and it was positive. I won’t be testing again no matter what so if I ever get it again I won’t even know.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 27/09/2023 08:35

PosterBoy · 27/09/2023 08:33

Coughing and sore throats could be anything.

Presumably also other covid specific symptoms?

The symptoms have really changed this time round, sore throat seems to be very common now.

redfacebigdisgrace · 27/09/2023 08:36

Can I ask why you’re still testing? I’ve stopped testing and just stay away from vulnerable people when I’m unwell.

nether · 27/09/2023 08:39

I don't think anyone really knows the false negative rate for LFTs against current variants.

Which is a bit shit for those who need to know about risk levels (anyone in the higher risk, get a jab group plus their close contacts). Not just right now, when recent immunisation might have good protective effect, but year round as it's pretty clear by now that covid isn't seasonal (just like it's not only an upper respiratory virus)

PosterBoy · 27/09/2023 08:41

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 27/09/2023 08:35

The symptoms have really changed this time round, sore throat seems to be very common now.

Show quote history

Then if everyone's tests are coming back negative why assume covid? Could be any viral infection with those 2 symptoms

nether · 27/09/2023 08:41

redfacebigdisgrace · 27/09/2023 08:36

Can I ask why you’re still testing? I’ve stopped testing and just stay away from vulnerable people when I’m unwell.

How do you know who is vulnerable? As you really can't tell just by looking.

Or do you mean you stay away from everyone, precisely because you cannot tell just be looking?

ebts · 27/09/2023 08:42

Friends of mine both unwell with the same symptoms which came on at the same time. He tested positive, she didn't even after several days.

Pandora55 · 27/09/2023 08:43

I absolutely knew I had Covid last week but I tested negative for the first 3 days. We test because there's someone in our family who's very unwell atm. My DH tested positive on first day of his symptoms but once again DD then come down with it and is on day five and only tested positive yesterday.

Pandora55 · 27/09/2023 08:47

redfacebigdisgrace · 27/09/2023 08:36

Can I ask why you’re still testing? I’ve stopped testing and just stay away from vulnerable people when I’m unwell.

I'm a nurse working on a cardiac ward.

redfacebigdisgrace · 27/09/2023 08:47

Hi @nether I mean I wouldn’t visit my dad or my elderly neighbours. If I was feeling unwell I would generally stay away from other people as much as possible. Just being considerate. I am an asthmatic myself. I just don’t feel the need to know whether it’s Covid or another virus, it won’t change my behaviour just make me anxious.

redfacebigdisgrace · 27/09/2023 08:49

Fair enough @Pandora55 ! I’m a teacher and we’ve been pretty much told/hinted at to stay off if unwell but think twice about testing as we’ll then need to take 5 days off!

minipie · 27/09/2023 08:49

Other viruses are still available. Why assume it’s covid?

It’s always been normal for respiratory viruses to do the rounds in the weeks after schools go back, long before Covid.

Pandora55 · 27/09/2023 08:50

redfacebigdisgrace · 27/09/2023 08:36

Can I ask why you’re still testing? I’ve stopped testing and just stay away from vulnerable people when I’m unwell.

Oh forgot to add, someone in my household is on immune suppressants and they were eligible for the anti viral drugs if they tested positive for Covid. So they had to test,then go about accessing the drugs (which was a right ball ache I swear)

Kashmirisky · 27/09/2023 08:51

redfacebigdisgrace · 27/09/2023 08:36

Can I ask why you’re still testing? I’ve stopped testing and just stay away from vulnerable people when I’m unwell.

Someone I share an office with has leukaemia. Vulnerable doesn’t have a visible sign.

superninny101 · 27/09/2023 08:51

I last had it a year ago and was testing every day as I have an underlying health issue which would need monitoring and absolutely knew it was Covid. I swabbed nose and throat and didn't test positive until day 7....

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 27/09/2023 08:52

minipie · 27/09/2023 08:49

Other viruses are still available. Why assume it’s covid?

It’s always been normal for respiratory viruses to do the rounds in the weeks after schools go back, long before Covid.

Not assuming anything, that's why I test.

BooksAndHooks · 27/09/2023 08:53

Yes after holiday DH and DS tested positive. I clearly had Covid yet only tested positive very faintly on the 4th test and had used several brands of test. This was the first time I had Covid.

Poppercorn · 27/09/2023 08:57

redfacebigdisgrace · 27/09/2023 08:49

Fair enough @Pandora55 ! I’m a teacher and we’ve been pretty much told/hinted at to stay off if unwell but think twice about testing as we’ll then need to take 5 days off!

So you would risk spreading it to children who in turn will pass on to vulnerable family members at home?
Appreciate life goes on and that a positive test is inconvenient. But if you have reason to suspect COVID it is sensible to test, you can't see who is vulnerable. Certainly don't call out others for taking that responsibility!