So I uploaded a picture of my test, with faint line clearly shown, and while waiting for the result contacted my traveling companions to start revising our plans. Quite how well lateral flow kits perform against Omicron is still unclear. You must report all lateral flow test results to the NHS. Untangling the effects of rapid testing from all the other Covid measures - from mask wearing to self-isolation - is extremely difficult and open to some interpretation. Hi Melissa, I'm diagnosed with undifferentiated connective tissue disease (only diagnosed this year, rheumatologist said it could change to an RA or lupus diagnosis). Did a lateral flow test in the morning of the 6th. Thirdly, some people are also failing to test properly with newer kits. As always, the booster vaccine remains the best protection against infection. For other inquiries Contact Us. The Week is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. However, if a line appears *after* the interpretation window then this does NOT count as a positive test. Mumsnet carries some affiliate marketing links, so if you buy something through our posts, we may get a small share of the sale (more details here). Some lines across the T section, which indicates if you have coronavirus or not . Whether the faint line on your lateral flow test means you have tested positive for Covid-19 or not is all down to timing. It's been mixed up week here at STW Towers, mostly thanks to everyone suddenly realising they haven't used up their annual leave so they'd better take some time off. You agree to theprocessing, If the second PCR . Please do keep us updated on your progress. If so, how did you get on? The amount of symptomatic people I speak to who believe they dont have covid because they did an lft is frankly staggering. As we were due to go to a very important wedding of my wife's niece . I have a really mild cold at the moment, so now wondering if the FlowFLex is picking up a common coronavirus. done subsequent lateral flow tests (all positive) and 3 PCR tests (all negative). A lateral flow showed a weak positive. They are nose only swabs, so I wasn't holding out hope but it's so far so good. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. Anyway, thank you for your post as it has given me some clarity. Cheeky monkies eh?! If so, that is a negative test because the test can only be read 30 mins after you put the drops on the cassette. she did two more one in the evening and another on Saturday morning 21/8/2021 showing positive result . How many of them wait the full 30 minutes is questionable too. SiL also had faint LFT and then negative PCR next day. My Dr has never heard of this either but it going to write to the virology department at St Thomas' hospital to flag is as an issue. Ive already had to postpone steroid injections in my knees because of it. "You might be able to have a system where a vulnerable person can get tested and get the drugs immediately. However, if a line appears *after* the interpretation window then this does NOT count as a positive test. I definitely agree that false positives are possible, I just find it strange that all the lateral flow tests I have done come back positive. I would do another lateral flow. A lateral flow test must be taken 24 hours apart on day six and seven of the isolation period, and if both tests come back negative, isolation can end on day seven. An analysis of the lateral flow kit used in Liverpool showed it only detected around half of people without symptoms who - on the same day - returned a positive PCR result. I have written to the British Society of Rheumatology and the Royal College of Pathology, neither of which have found it of any clinical interest. supports HTML5 I took a PCR that afternoon. MORE : First Partygate fines to be issued today for Number Ten Covid bashes. I am new to this forum and have a unique issue which I am hoping someone out there may have experienced too. Gradually those same rapid lateral flow tests have become part of everyday life. I have had the exact same thing twice now. 06/12/2014 at 11:26 am. If a faint line appears in the 'T' section after the 30 minutes time window has . Hi Melissa,My husband has had positive lateral flows since Wednesday (so for 5 days now) - the line is very heavy on each. They told me about this post. the worst that can happen is you come back all clear so jabbed your tonsils for no reason. Sounds like you were positive you shouldnt have got on a plane! Even if the line next to the T is extremely faint, that still means your test is positive. Who can still get free lateral flow tests from this Friday. Many of us will now be very familiar with Covid lateral flow tests, but a doctor has warned that there are a number of mistakes people regularly make when taking them. However, I will be very interested to see whether this is reported on. From today, those who. When twice-weekly rapid testing was rolled out in secondary schools in the spring of 2021, there were worries that large numbers of pupils would be incorrectly told they had the virus - a so-called "false positive" - and sent home. But the results of these tests are not so black and white. How lateral flow testing works Lateral flow is an established technology, adapted to detect proteins that are present when a person has COVID-19. As Ive been shielding for best part of two years Ive only had to take one test just to prove to doc that the chest infection I had was just that and not covid as Im CEV so I cant give you my personal experience. It is a shame that the government is not publicizing the true accuracy of the flow flow test , causing this kind of agony for the public and is only interested in making money out of the public misery . Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. No conclusive link can be drawn between this and antibodies relating to RA. He urged people to ensure they are doing the correct swab for the test they are taking. OK I'm a scientist (a biochemist) and have spent several years of my life developing these kind of tests so an expert. Hope you feel ok, but Im with the +ve crew. UPDATE! A negative lateral flow covid test (Image: Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images) "If the faintly positive line appears after the time window, the most likely cause is either that there has been some . Not quite so clear cut. Because all the reports I have seen suggest they work better. I suspect theres a good chance you are asymptomatic with a very low level of infection. Covid booster jabs protect against Omicron and offer the best chance to get through the pandemic, health officials have repeatedly said. Both v similar LFD test faint positive in v early stages, confirmed PCR positive, LFD much stronger positive after 1-2 more days then remained positive for another week or so before then testing negative again. I self isolated Got my test results this morning and Ive tested positive, obviously very concerned as I am of although I read nras posts regularly. If you get to day 10 and you're still testing positive, then the NHS has some guidance. "When reading lateral flow test results, two lines through both the 'C' and 'T', even faint lines, indicate the test is positive," a Public Health England spokesperson says. About two or three weeks later she got a clear positive result and correspondingly positive PCR result I have no idea if the two were linked. From HPV cells to hot flushes Dr Zoe answers your health queries, Our kids caught Covid & were soon diagnosed with diabetes - it cant be a coincidence, Mixing foods such as grapes and ONIONS can super-boost your health, says expert, The top 10 reasons Brits struggle with their sleep - and how to fix it, The 3 simple hand exercises that can help prevent silent killer, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). He said: Essentially, if *any* line appears before the end of the interpretation window (check leaflet, usually this is 30 minutes), then this is a *positive* test and you must isolate. Don't know but will phone RA nurse to find out. A line next to the 'C'. Later I had a clear positive lateral flow. Honestly, I think Test and Trace are about as useful as a chocolate teapot! If in doubt PCR and isolate until results are back. I guess I am just trying to find other people who have had this experience because I find it hard to believe I am the only person out there. And a digital membership where you can read all the digital magazines is normally 25, and now 12.50 with the code. On symptoms alone then you should isolate. I also did another lateral flow test yesterday just out of interest an again it was positive so somethings going on. So its a positive. To view profiles and participate in discussions please. Nathan gave his views that: If the faintly positive line appears after the time window, the most likely cause is either that there has been some contamination (e.g. It's so naughty and a real step up from when I was little and we used to do the old thermometer on a hot water bottle trick (which my Mum never fell for!). I let track and trace know at the time as well. But Operation Moonshot - as it was called by the government - got off to a bumpy start. The test instructions state that any line, however faint, is a +ve. MORE : What medication should I take for Covid? The latest nasal only LFT test kits have been shown to be less sensitive than the older nasal and throat tests. Did a lateral flow test in the morning of the 6th. "We have drugs which can reduce the severity of influenza, for example, but they need to be taken very soon after infection," says Prof Alex Edwards. View our online Press Pack. make sure you swab your nose thoroughly, and also ensure everything from the swab is transferred into the test fluid. However, weirdly, it's my nose that causes the false positives so I have an exemption recommendation letter from my GP to carry when travelling. I hope you have a wonderful trip to see your family. I took two lateral flow tests 12 hours apart from different batches and both were positive. Hi Melissa, I had 3 lateral flow tests recently and all showed a positive result. As PPs have said you do sometimes get a shadow if the test is left to develop for longer than the recommended incubation time. I hope it fades soo as its getting me down. My RA has been worse since then. The idea of population-wide Covid testing on this scale was first revealed in leaked documents in the autumn of 2020. So do it before you eat/drink anything. I'll send you details of the lady I spoke to at NRAS. However, the PCR tests have consistently come back negative. I'd be interested to understand (and of course if you don't mind sharing) if we have the same type of arthritis (I am RF positive, anti-ccp positive RA). "The cost of mass testing has been staggering," she says. Three days later lft was strongly positive in seconds. With my last 2 I've not had a positive till a few days after my af was due. Some scientists said the school programme could do "more harm than good" and leaked emails claimed it could all be scaled back. Mine started at a very faint line. I assume you have used these too? Posting a photo of a vaguely positive lateral flow to Instagram, London-based A&E doctor Nathan explained what it could mean. The only day the line was dark was 12/26. It seems so inconsistent as well. You should also get a PCR test if you have any of the symptoms of Covid-19: While these are the official symptoms according to the NHS, newer variants have reporteddifferent symptomswhich are more akin to a cold. A man has warned to be aware of faint positives on Covid-19 home testing kits. Positive lateral flow tests and negative PCR - is it my medication? The test line has appeared faintly in the during of the 30 min test window. The Print+ membership where Singletrack magazine drops through your door, plus full digital access, is normally 45, now only 22.50 with the code. food or drink, or some other weak contaminant), or there are just very low levels of the virus. You know deep down the testing company have screwed up you are most likely infectious but not only did you decide to leave the house you got on a ferry to another country. Visit our corporate site www.futureplc.com Future Publishing Limited, Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. If you are positive you can expect to see two lines on the test, while a negative result will see just one line appearing within half an hour. The booster campaign is at the forefront of the Governments plan to tackle Omicron, which is threatening to plunge the UK into another lockdown. A doctor has explained why seeing a faint second 'positive' line on a lateral flow test doesn't always mean you have the virus. ! 15/03/2021 06:12 I've never had a negative lateral flow test change from showing a negative even after 30mins. As PPs have said you do sometimes get a shadow if the test is left to develop for longer than the recommended incubation time. You must be logged in to reply to this topic. To be completely honest, it wasn't the most helpful phone call but the Dr agreed looking at RA antibodies was a sensible approach. Not sure how useful this is but definitely something that needs to be looked into overall. Where are you? "I saw my best friend over Christmas and her son had tested positive, so I thought I should just check.". @poly, yes, that was the response I expected on here really, and maybe youre right. My SO is on his 5th day of testing. This is interesting Melissa. Some reports have said that a faint line on the back end of the infection COULD mean they don't even have it anymore (or maybe that they weren't contagious? I spoke with NRAS, who suggested I reach out on here to see if anyone else has an experience similar. The whole point of mass testing like this is to break chains of transmission - to keep Hailing away from her customers at a time when she might be infectious but have no obvious symptoms. I too have the worry that false positives will cause me difficulties in the future. Then PCR again if negative but symptoms increase. A doctor has shared his concerns about the faint lines on lateral flow tests and what they could indicate. If I was going on a plane I might have been more cautious, but since it was a ferry trip with minimal contact with others I thought I would do what the official process indicated that I should do. So what would a faintly positive test result mean outside the 30-minute mark, if not Covid? However, if the "positive" line is very faint and appears after a certain amount of time, it could actually mean you are not infected, a doctor has said. The PCR result will have told you you are free to go about life, but Ive been in similar shoes to you (although my line was not so vague) and I knew I had prolonged contact with a positive case, so I isolated anyway. I was unwell for weeks afterwards and so was my husband. if I went on a city break, I have to factor in the time to get a PCR before coming back and not all can guarantee a 24 hr turnaround). Instead, he advised to take extra care with social distancing, hand washing and mask wearing and to continue using lateral flow tests as per NHS guidance. Out of interest, have you tried doing one swab from your nose and a separate from your throat? still infected? Lateral flow tests are a quick and simple way to discover if you have Covid-19. Followed by either a nose and throat LFT or a PCR which came back positive. I tried that but still delivers a false positive. When I say 'during the 30 minute window', I mean that the line does not immediately develop when I do the test - it usually starts to show at about 15 minutes or so. For many of us, taking a lateral flow test is part of our routine. Originally conceived before the 2023 UCI World Championships were POC Omne Lite and Ultra helmets, Pole Voima ID, Bell Full-10 helmet, Cane Creek ILG2 shocks, and Focus Jam/Sam 2s. Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. It has been referred to virology urgently. If it was a drugs test in prison it would a positive. I'm not sure how regularly these tests are being done among shielding groups. Usually, people who have more virus in their body have a lower Ct value. The other possibility I thought of is CSF, as I have high intercranial pressure from excess cerebral spinal fluid, so could have a CSF leak in my nose. I actually have since found out that it's meant to be reported to the Yellow Card scheme, which is where many people report side effects to the vaccine. Stocks in other parts of the country may be different. .css-o3g03s{color:black;}Published11:26,28 December 2021 GMT. Thanks for your help, I'll be sticking to the flowflex ones from now on! What's the least amount of exercise we can get away with? I had a faint line LFT on Christmas Day, redid it again faint line tried for a third time but did it like a pcr throat then nose and it lit up like a traffic light. Thanks for your message. Mine was totally stumped but at least referred the issue to virology at Guys. Thanks, Melissa. The testing company didnt think I was positive! A major review found that lateral flow tests used in England were almost always correct when they produced a positive result (99 per cent). My understanding is that PCR is the "gold standard" test and far more accurate, so while I am confident in the result, I am now concerned that something in my body is causing these false positives. Of course, I have then routinely booked a PCR for either the same, or next day and isolated before the test and until the result. Id say assume positive, test again 8 hours or so later and see how that comes back. You no longer have to get a follow-up PCR test if you test positive on a lateral flow with no symptoms. Billions of pounds of public money have been spent on test kits. believe we have a legitimate case to do so, for example to send you communications about similar products VideoRussian minister laughed at for Ukraine war claims, The children left behind in Cuba's mass exodus, Xi Jinping's power grab - and why it matters, Snow, Fire and Lights: Photos of the Week. While you should always get a PCR test if you have symptoms of the virus, the lateral flow can tell you in just 30 minutes if you are positive or negative which is useful when it comes to picking up asymptomatic cases. I'm a GP and here's the mistakes so many parents make when it comes to chickenpox, Im Carrie Underwoods PT and here's how her secrets can boost your weight loss too, Ease anxiety in minutes with the 54321 mindfulness hack. Also no symptoms. Symptoms kicked in Tuesday felt breathless, tachycardia, migraine style headaches, Also my RA nurse said she'd mention it to my consultant. A swab is taken from the back of the nose or throat, mixed with an extraction fluid, and a drop of this mixture is. Like I said, anecdotal evidence, 4 people in the family and two close friends have taken nose only FLT tests which indicated negative results. Have anyone else tested positive? Lateral flow tests are being used in a bid to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks due to asymptomatic cases. Now his real dilemma comes when he gets negative on PCR and runs another LF just to be sure and it is weak positive within the time limit! Also certain types of toothpaste. Get a pcr done asap. I will contact NRAS (if you could PM me with details of who you have contacted that would be helpful.) A link has been emailed to you - check your inbox. By the next day it was so red the ink was bleeding out! Have you logged the issue anywhere? Therefore, even if you have more cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose and a scratchy throat, its always best to do a test to be on the safe side. We will use the information you have shared for carefully considered and specific purposes, where we Last month the Omicron variant overtook Delta and became the most dominant strain in both London and England, causing many of us to scramble for Covid tests ahead of the festive season. Hi there. Most people at work that have tested positive in the LFT have then also tested positive in the CPR, as you say false positives are rare. Glad you will be able to see family again. Earlier this week, 38-year-old Hailing Hackney unwrapped the last lateral flow test in her kitchen cupboard. Lateral flow test (LFTs) are used to identify people with COVID-19. Nathan explained that the appearance of the line may have been caused by very weak contaminant, such as food or drinks. Hi Lizzie, thanks for your message. I went to an international trade show In January with a big delegation from China prior to the virus announcement. I am taking sulfasalazine. (they may be faint), one line on the top if it is negative or one line on the bottom if the . To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. After 20mins a very thin (positive) second line appeared. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. The same Cochrane review found that in people with confirmed Covid-19, lateral flow tests correctly gave a positive test to an average of 72% of people with symptoms. I really hope you get to the bottom of what the issue is, as it's very complicated not being able to do a lateral flow test with confidence of accuracy! food or drink, or some other weak contaminant), or there are just very. So confusing. Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them. 2023 BBC. Can Nigeria's election result be overturned? Not the norm RA symptoms, is anyone else experiencing the same? Later that evening her symptoms began - a mild headache and a runny nose. Each positive case identified can help prevent many more infections. You can reduce the risk of this happening by avoiding food or drink shortly before you test the Government website recommends you should not test within half an hour of eating or drinking anything. As a family we are having to isolate even though I'm getting negative PCRs. On social media over Christmas it wasn't hard to find posts from people who said they were clear on multiple rapid tests taken at home - even with Covid symptoms - only to test positive on a more sensitive PCR test processed in a laboratory. Hi Soph, I am so sorry to hear you are having this problem, but glad you have found me on here! If it is the latter, and obviously assuming you are asymptomatic at this point, you are very unlikely to be a transmission risk anyway and so it is of little significance, he reassured. What causes a stroke and what are the main symptoms to look out for? Four subsequent LFTs were negative but I got a PCR anyway, which is positive. They work by detecting the virus's genetic material, and are very accurate. The line on the test strip is very faint. Haha surely I deserve a diplomatic passport for that! Sure. I am so sorry to hear you and your wife have been through this, and all for nothing. . (New annually renewing membership only. You can find out more about our legitimate interest activity in our Privacy Policy. I just don't believe there are so few people having this issue that it hasn't been flagged. PCR test a day later was negative. I've been trying to find any information on super faint lines that result on lateral flow tests. Long story short over the last week I have had 5 weak positive and 2 strong positive LF tests and 2 negative PCR results. But false positives are not the only possible drawback with mass testing on this scale. As we all work to limit the high levels of transmission of this variant over the Christmas period, we are urging people to test regularly, particularly before attending social gatherings. There was alarm about the rumoured 100bn price tag, while some of the early results of a large pilot in Liverpool raised questions about the accuracy of the tests themselves. Alexander Edwards, associate professor in biomedical technology at the University of Reading, says it "quickly became clear" that if the tests were used as instructed, "you don't tend to get large numbers of false positives". A faint line is to be treated as a line. Anyone that's taken a lateral flow test and has come back positive will know - all Covid lines aren't created equal. They have been brilliant and have flagged to the British Society for Rheumatology, but they have said they don't have enough evidence to find patterns. Have you spoken to your GP about it? Ive since done 2 more of the NHS nose and throat LFTs both of which have been negative. Id hope so, I dont mind sticking a swab up my nostrils, but the tonsil bit is a major challenge, as in stopping myself from throwing up! Hailing runs Sparkle Nails & Beauty in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham. 15/03/2021 08:24, Mine usually goes negative within 3 min and stays negative even hours later. Thanks for doing that. I am anti-ccp postive and RF positive - I'm just trying to find if there is any kind of pattern developing there. When I had Covid the LFT tests showed negative, that was on days where I felt ill, following a positive PCR test. I don't know what to do about the Xiamen ones, as I feel I should report the findings but I am not quite sure who to report it to. There has been a surge in demand for lateral flow tests in the lead up to New Year's Eve celebrations, as people look to check whether they have come down with the virus. I take Baricitinib. Hi Melissa, I did a flowflex test today and it's negative. In general, yes, we can reason that the faint lines indicate less virus and vice versa. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Some scientists are concerned that the public are often far too trusting if their lateral flow test comes back negative. It is probably worth doing more lateral flow tests in the days following to see if the result becomes stronger. Video, Russian minister laughed at for Ukraine war claims, analysis of the lateral flow kit used in Liverpool. The tests missed 60 per cent of positive cases that would have been found through a PCR, meaning many people with Covid are given whats called a false negative. It should be phased out sooner rather than later," says Prof Irene Petersen at UCL. Around 4.9 million people in the UK are believed to have had Covid-19 in the week ending. If a red line appears next to the "T", that means you have tested positive. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. I would have thought it wouldn't be so consistent a pattern though, unless it is reacting to any bit of food/drink I have had at any point in the day? The innova test showed a faint second line but the government issue lateral flow tests were consistently negative and three pcrs were negative too. It's been a really troubling few weeks trying to be acknowledged and listened to. Since March, 183,939 pupils in England have tested positive on a lateral flow test at home and then had a sample sent off to a laboratory for a follow-up PCR test.