Covid testing

Author
Discussion

Jack.77

Original Poster:

456 posts

51 months

Wednesday 29th December 2021
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Another covid thread .sorry ,I’m very worried I might have covid coming on. I was in close contact to someone yesterday at work who has been confirmed definitely positive (it’s been slightly over 24hrs and my current test showing negative) .but I worry this could possibly change tomorrow.
It would ruin family plans and I’m not even vaxed for personal reasons .
If it shows negative tomorrow then is it conclusive I don’t have it?? In the meantime I’m assuming I’ve got it until proven otherwise

interstellar

3,790 posts

153 months

Wednesday 29th December 2021
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First stop panicking, it won’t help you.
Second it takes 4-6 days to become positive but this varies. It won’t come in 24 hours.
Thirdly nothing you can do but wait. If you think you have had very close contact then you could cancel to protect others or just go for it. We are all going to get omicron and for most it will be fine.

jock mcsporran

5,037 posts

280 months

Wednesday 29th December 2021
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My son caught it on Christmas Eve we think.
Started feeling a bit off Sunday night, was completely floored on Monday but tested negative. He felt ok on Tuesday but tested positive. I'm fairly certain I'll have it but I test negative for now. Everyone else that was with us on Christmas Eve has tested positive by Tuesday, so 72 hours-ish after we suspected we were exposed.

Jack.77

Original Poster:

456 posts

51 months

Wednesday 29th December 2021
quotequote all
interstellar said:
First stop panicking, it won’t help you.
Second it takes 4-6 days to become positive but this varies. It won’t come in 24 hours.
Thirdly nothing you can do but wait. If you think you have had very close contact then you could cancel to protect others or just go for it. We are all going to get omicron and for most it will be fine.
That’s interesting.i won’t be around anyone until I know the final result .
The positive case mentioned had sudden onset of cough but felt fine then tested positive earlier today so seemed to show up fairly quickly but as you mention this varies
I tried to take some precautions like opening window and washing hands even though I wasn’t aware he might have covid .it seems more than likely it will show after a while and holiday in a week will be cancelled

knk

1,293 posts

278 months

Wednesday 29th December 2021
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Five or six days commonly until infection develops.
False negatives with LFTs are relatively common and with PCR are not uncommon. (So they are good at telling you if you are infected but bad at telling you if you are not infected).

Get a PCR test if you develop symptoms. Try to maintain distancing and wear a face covering when around other people.

Get vaccinated.

kiethton

14,071 posts

187 months

Wednesday 29th December 2021
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knk said:
Get vaccinated.
If he has actually got it there is no point - natural immunity is likely better.

OP - don't stress, don't test and go about your life as normal*, its a cold

  • unless visiting the vulnerable

Heathwood

2,799 posts

209 months

Wednesday 29th December 2021
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knk said:
Get vaccinated.
I’m sorry to sound blunt, but what gives you the right to tell him this? He says he’s unvaccinated for personal reasons. It’s his choice.

smn159

13,428 posts

224 months

Wednesday 29th December 2021
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kiethton said:
natural immunity is likely better.
citation needed

smn159

13,428 posts

224 months

Wednesday 29th December 2021
quotequote all
Heathwood said:
I’m sorry to sound blunt, but what gives you the right to tell him this? He says he’s unvaccinated for personal reasons. It’s his choice.
He's worried about catching a virus for which an effective vaccine is available, so it's pretty sound advice

Mark V GTD

2,438 posts

131 months

Wednesday 29th December 2021
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I got an email on Monday from NHS to say I was exposed to someone who subsequently tested positive. It was on a flight last Thursday ( they dont tell you that but the ten days worked out to that flight and of course they know where i was sitting due to the PLF form). By Saturday night I was feeling under the weather and felt like i had a chill coming on. Had a bit of a restless night and woke up feeling feverish and bathed in sweat Sunday morning - basically feeling too hot then too cold, bit achy etc. I tested positive on a Lat flow on Tuesday morning (yesterday) and also had some tightness in the throat and some catarrh but my sense of smell and taste intact. Minimal coughing.

Did the PCR this morning and awaiting the results.

I’m in the same boat as the OP regards vax status by the way.

scenario8

6,850 posts

186 months

Wednesday 29th December 2021
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For clarity I’m sure those suggesting the OP gets vaccinated for covid aren’t suggesting he gets himself vaccinated while he awaits a test result or, in the case that test result is positive, within 28 days of testing positive (or under the direction of a doctor).

I’d like to hope those persons respect their informed choice on the matter in any case.

SlimJim16v

6,126 posts

150 months

Wednesday 29th December 2021
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kiethton said:
If he has actually got it there is no point - natural immunity is likely better.

OP - don't stress, don't test and go about your life as normal*, its a cold

  • unless visiting the vulnerable
We're doomed rolleyes

Boringvolvodriver

10,088 posts

50 months

Wednesday 29th December 2021
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Mark V GTD said:
I got an email on Monday from NHS to say I was exposed to someone who subsequently tested positive. It was on a flight last Thursday ( they dont tell you that but the ten days worked out to that flight and of course they know where i was sitting due to the PLF form). By Saturday night I was feeling under the weather and felt like i had a chill coming on. Had a bit of a restless night and woke up feeling feverish and bathed in sweat Sunday morning - basically feeling too hot then too cold, bit achy etc. I tested positive on a Lat flow on Tuesday morning (yesterday) and also had some tightness in the throat and some catarrh but my sense of smell and taste intact. Minimal coughing.

Did the PCR this morning and awaiting the results.

I’m in the same boat as the OP regards vax status by the way.
Think they let everyone on the flight know! Unless maybe you are in the posh seats up front or up top!

Boringvolvodriver

10,088 posts

50 months

Wednesday 29th December 2021
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smn159 said:
He's worried about catching a virus for which an effective vaccine is available, so it's pretty sound advice
Despite having now possibly caught said virus! Bit late to be vaccinated right now. As to whether he will be better protected if he has the vaccine after he has recovered, in my opinion, the jury is still out.

I mean even the government are saying that 2 doses of the vaccine might not give you enough protection for omicron!

Mark V GTD

2,438 posts

131 months

Wednesday 29th December 2021
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Boringvolvodriver said:
Think they let everyone on the flight know! Unless maybe you are in the posh seats up front or up top!
It was Dreamliner and I was in row 1 and on board for nine hours. Doubt they would have informed all 300 passengers but I’m just guessing.

Person next to me seemed a bit listless and just slept through the whole flight and refused all food and drink!

Edited by Mark V GTD on Wednesday 29th December 20:12

Jack.77

Original Poster:

456 posts

51 months

Wednesday 29th December 2021
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My parents who I’ve seen are going abroad on Tuesday if not tested positive.i don’t think that’s wise as they might get stranded there if it suddenly shows on a test .trouble is I think they can only get refunded if tested positive before leaving.bit of an odd scenario

survivalist

5,872 posts

197 months

Wednesday 29th December 2021
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SlimJim16v said:
kiethton said:
If he has actually got it there is no point - natural immunity is likely better.

OP - don't stress, don't test and go about your life as normal*, its a cold

  • unless visiting the vulnerable
We're doomed rolleyes
roflroflroflrofl

I’m presuming that was a joke. If it wasn’t :

roflroflroflrofl

interstellar

3,790 posts

153 months

Wednesday 29th December 2021
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They should just go otherwise they will never do anything in life. No point not going on a “what if”

We have to get on with it.

Surely they have travel insurance, that’s what it’s for.

Not being harsh but realistic

smn159

13,428 posts

224 months

Wednesday 29th December 2021
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Boringvolvodriver said:
As to whether he will be better protected if he has the vaccine after he has recovered, in my opinion, the jury is still out.
You should contact the WHO with your opinion - I'm sure they'll modify their advice immediately


Gretchen

19,237 posts

223 months

Wednesday 29th December 2021
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I LFD test twice a day and PCR once a week and process hundreds more. Staff are having negative LFDs but positive PCRs (mostly no symptoms). A postal PCR will take a good few days for return result but I know of some centres you can walk in for a quick turnaround. PCR test is going to be your best option.