Andy_W
Well-known member
Get a PCR
Lateral Flow Tests
- Thread starter BigJohnsPens
- Start date
Scrote
Well-known member
There is a lot of advice on medical twitter which suggests you should be doing LFTs against your tonsils as well as up the nose for Omicron.
Most of the current packs only ask you to do the nose swab but doing both gives a better chance of picking the virus up if you have it.
I'm surprised this hasn't become official advice 'cos it's been discussed since before Xmas.
Most of the current packs only ask you to do the nose swab but doing both gives a better chance of picking the virus up if you have it.
I'm surprised this hasn't become official advice 'cos it's been discussed since before Xmas.
goalscrounger
Well-known member
I was lousy for 4 days before LFTs started to show me as positive, so I'd proceed with caution. My daughter now has Covid because I didn't isolate until I got a positive LFT on Boxing Day.
Similar here but feel a bit better today. we got pcr done last wed, I'm neg, Mrs pos so we've both just holed up. I keep returning neg lfds but have chosen to isolate even though I do not need to. Have my day 5 pcr booked in for tomorrow morning and providing that is neg I will continue with lfds for Tues and Wed and WFH. I'll go back to the office on Thursday all being well. Bit confusing as trust policy is different to national
Scrote
Well-known member
Why?
If the testing regime keeps the economy open then surely that's a good thing if all you* care about is the cashflow?
I'm pretty sure someone in government is making a pretty penny but isn't there an argument for ends justifying means?
The fact governement finance works under MMT makes it all rather moot anyway bit that's a discussion for another thread.
*that's a generic "you" rather than you personally
Andy_W
Well-known member
I think you might have misunderstood my post a little.
I didn't say they didn't, I very much know they do detect all variants (but don't cover the same time range/ infection level as PCR, for any variant).
Yes, guidance is to get a PCR to confirm a positive LFT (which has been standard guidance for ages), which is what most should do if there's good availability and if they doubt the LFT positive (which they shouldn't). If people have symptoms they should get a PCR, even if their LFT's are negative.
To me I didn't see much point as I've chosen to isolate anyway, had two extremely strong positive LFT's a few days apart and I've got a lot of symptoms too. Effectively they way I see it, for me personally, it's a waste of a PCR in my area (now), where I've got loads of friends struggling to get a PCR (or a LFT), I'd rather leave space for them and false positives on LFT are extremely rare (and I've reported my LFT online). Plus I've felt like crap and didn't want to be driving, or subjecting the missus to driving me. If I had been feeling better and there wasn't a supply issue on PCR's or LFT's then I would have certainly got a PCR.
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Plenty of things the Govt can be slammed for, but not sure this is one of them. I was round at some friends before new year, and they had seven boxes of LFTs on their kitchen table. (They do have kids, but even so). If that is replicated around the country, even to a small extent, it's little wonder if supply is a bit sketchy at the moment!
Edit: A couple of times when I've needed some recently I've borrowed a box off friends. Could be an option if you still can't get them?
Andy_W
Well-known member
I think they could have stockpiled some, or ramped up production when we knew Omicron was coming, but to be fair I think they probably did this. One of the issues is that their main suppliers were not doing deliveries over Christmas, which they should have had a contingency for, but it's only a slight criticism.
Certainly can't knock our general availability of LFT's though (throughout the pandemic), as we've been better than just about anywhere on that front, I think the USA charges for them $10 each I think I read (typical USA though!)!
People stockpiling LFT's or taking them every day for no real reason is a bit much (for those not going anywhere etc), but I prefer the caution line over the opposite.
Quite a few of my mates have been sharing LFT's, but maybe 2-3 out of a box of 7 etc, which is the right thing to do.
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BigJohnsPens
Well-known member
Just tested positive after feeling ill on NYE. Felt awful yesterday but three tests were all negative. Slightly better today but a positive test straight away. Happy days!
Laughing
Well-known member
I read the same thing myself this morning Scrote. It's to do wit hthe viral load being mostly in the throat, with omicron.
Cardiffdaffs
Well-known member
Tip. They come up on line at 6 am most days. Set your alarm if you can be arsed
Ingleby_Flash
Well-known member
Isolate for a bit anyway, whether it’s Covid or a horrible cold no one else wants it. And if you’re doing that sensible thing what’s the point of a test, doesn’t matter either way, unless you need it to go to work of course.
gizasqueezemister
Well-known member
I had 3 negative LFs then went for a PCR to fly back to Middle East for work. Positive. Had mild symptoms for 3 days. Can’t trust the LFs now
Nobby_Barnes
Well-known member
I dispair, no wonder it's spreading like wildfire. Isn't it obvious to you what you should do ?
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LowMoorBoro
Well-known member
Have said this on a few threads now, my girlfriend did 3 lateral flows and all were negative. This included the throat and nose swab, all lateral flows were still in date (i checked) everyone was negative.
She went for a PCR after having some symptoms and that was positive. On the same day as the PCR test she did one of the laterals.
In that time I’ve done about 7 lateral flows and 2 PCRs and they’ve all come back negative thankfully.
She went for a PCR after having some symptoms and that was positive. On the same day as the PCR test she did one of the laterals.
In that time I’ve done about 7 lateral flows and 2 PCRs and they’ve all come back negative thankfully.
There could be an element of user error, and people not swabbing throat enough, or going far enough in the nasal cavity. I've read that the accuracy is pretty high (over 70%) when 'assisted' by professionals.
LowMoorBoro
Well-known member
Perhaps, I did think that.
Although this is the second time my girlfriends had Covid, she was positive on lateral flows in July and confirmed on PCR.
Also, same for me was positive in summer on lateral and PCR. So we have managed to do it correctly previously.
Warwickboro
Well-known member
Yeah I get it, please don't pelt me too hard, but I'm kind of thinking with omicron that we can't control the spread anyway, so perhaps testing this much doesn't achieve much.
Corcaigh_the_Cat
Well-known member
Not easy either. Daughter tested positive on LFT the other day, no PCR available locally to drive through so she's getting one sent by post.