still infected? Positive lateral flow tests and negative PCR - is it my medication? I let track and trace know at the time as well. News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. Start your free trial. The test line has appeared faintly in the during of the 30 min test window. An A&E doctor has issued some guidance on what a faint result line on lateral flow Covid tests can mean. Have just taken a PCR, so will hopefully find out in the next few days. I'll be interested to see if my Rheumy Nurse knows any more about the Antibody issue when she gets back to me. A change from negative to positive can occur within hours, experts have shown. I managed to get a letter from my Dr to say lateral flow tests should not be used in my first line of testing, but it doesn't really solve the ongoing issue around travel for me (e.g. Do you have a story for The Sun news desk? After this time place in the domestic waste bag (normally a "black bag") Will the Lockdown Files change Westminsters WhatsApp ways? Then in April, the programme was extended to the general public. "I saw my best friend over Christmas and her son had tested positive, so I thought I should just check.". The test instructions state that any line, however faint, is a +ve. MORE : First Partygate fines to be issued today for Number Ten Covid bashes. Did a lateral flow test in the morning of the 6th. Not the norm RA symptoms, is anyone else experiencing the same? Regular testing is key in the face of Omicron, especially as it's been proven that the virus is milder - and therefore, could be mistaken for cold and flu like symptoms. However, I will be very interested to see whether this is reported on. I took two lateral flow tests 12 hours apart from different batches and both were positive. 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. However, the PCR tests have consistently come back negative. Hope you work out what is causing yours. At least within a group of relatives and friends. Thanks, Melissa. I would also ask, if you don't mind, to write to NRAS. Good on you for doing the right thing and acting on it. I too was initially told I probably had Covid, but I had received two doses of the vaccine by this point so I thought it was unlikely. "I was feeling tired, but then I'm always feeling tired," she says. The official instructions that accompany the LFTs states that 'two lines, one next to the C and one next to the T, even faint lines, shows the test is positive'. As always, the booster vaccine remains the best protection against infection. I am sorry you have had this experience but am also relieved to have come across someone else. We can't be the only ones out there! Definitely something up with all this! Haha surely I deserve a diplomatic passport for that! I also did another lateral flow test yesterday just out of interest an again it was positive so somethings going on. 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. Always just the one line even an hour or so later. This line should be present every time you do a lateral flow test. And a digital membership where you can read all the digital magazines is normally 25, and now 12.50 with the code. 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. Where are you? 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! In total 89% of those swabs returned the same positive result. A Redevelopment Update, NBD: Last Tarvo 2, Specialized Tero X, Crankbros Mallet Trail, This topic has 44 replies, 26 voices, and was last updated. Like so many others across the UK, she was surprised when a faint line started to appear on the white testing strip. According to the government website, Covid-19 infection rates are very high and the Omicron variant is spreading rapidly. If the faint line appears after the window, the most likely cause is either that there has been some contamination (e.g. After getting nowhere, my Rheumatology nurse suggested I try swabbing just my throat for a lateral flow test and just my nose for another. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. (no offence but who reads instructions every time?). Thanks, Melissa. 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. I hope you find the cause of yours . I assume you have used these too? Fortunately, I am in remission and now only take Hydroxychloroquine but have spent a number of years previously on Methotrexate. Consistent false positive lateral flow tests for Covid. How lateral flow testing works Lateral flow is an established technology, adapted to detect proteins that are present when a person has COVID-19. What does a faint line mean on a lateral flow test? What's the least amount of exercise we can get away with? A major review found that lateral flow tests used in England were almost always correct when they produced a positive result (99 per cent). Who can still get free lateral flow tests from this Friday. The lft are comparatively inaccurate and significantly less sensitive to actual infection than a PCR (especially in the early stages). The thought of having to isolate because of a false positive lateral flow test and not see my parents (as you can imagine it has been a long time since I have been able to see them) really got to me. 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. Makes you wonder how many people dont even notice a faint positive (or ignore it) and carry on regardless. Thanks, Claire x. Hi Claire, I am so sorry you're going through this too but so relieved to have found someone in the same position! food or drink, or some other very weak . Does this mean that the line is only there in the first 30 mins and then disappears? 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). A link has been emailed to you - check your inbox. Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Do you know where I can order the flowflex tests from? Interesting enough, today, the news is all about these tests and rip off charges. To view profiles and participate in discussions please. Recently he shared an image of a lateral flow test with an extremely faint line next to the 'T'. 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". 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. I think there are more of us than we realise but it's still incredibly difficult to trust these tests and to know what to do about it. I am glad to hear you don't have Covid this time, although is sounds like you are having similar lateral flow issues to me. Rich Quelch, of pharmaceutical experts Origin, explained: 'After completing a lateral flow test, your result will appear within 30 minutes. I too have the worry that false positives will cause me difficulties in the future. Four lateral flow tests this week have been positive showing very faint second lines. If so, I wonder if we could flag this together to our Rheumatology depts. Four subsequent LFTs were negative but I got a PCR anyway, which is positive. I've left a message to speak to the rheumatology helpline and spoke with NRAS today. Not much help but Ive not had any false positive LFT and I do them twice a week. Followed by either a nose and throat LFT or a PCR which came back positive. You must report all lateral flow test results to the NHS. That does seem very sensitive if that's the case though. I have a really mild cold at the moment, so now wondering if the FlowFLex is picking up a common coronavirus. Well, they work for me! The only day the line was dark was 12/26. I don't know where you are based but I had a good breakthrough with my GP, and he urgently referred it to the virology dept at Guys and St Thomas'. So its a positive. Billions of pounds of public money have been spent on test kits. Place the lateral flow test kit into a secure bag and keep this in a safe place for 72hrs. Cannot be used in conjunction with other offers, or when switching memberships), Contact UsPrivacyForum RulesClassifieds RulesLink RemovalNewsletter SettingsAdvertising, Viewing 40 posts - 1 through 40 (of 45 total). Also certain types of toothpaste. It could be that Im crap at taking any Covid test, but if thats the case why did the PCR test work when others didnt? Im so relieved to see this! 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. A lateral flow test is a specific type where you dip a piece of paper in a liquid and after a few minutes one line appears a positive control to show the test is working and another line appears if the test is positive. (New annually renewing membership only. Subscribe to TheWeek. Hailing runs Sparkle Nails & Beauty in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham. Lateral flow testing is a fast and simple way to test people who do not have symptoms of COVID-19, but who may still be spreading the virus. Just checking youre not eating or drinking beforehand? He , like you followed up with a PCR and that was negative so yea it is possible to get false positive results from lateral flow tests. It has been referred to virology urgently. she did two more one in the evening and another on Saturday morning 21/8/2021 showing positive result . I have tested positive on every lateral flow test I have done since May (twice weekly), every PCR has been negative. 06/12/2014 at 11:26 am. My GP has written a letter for me to carry when travelling, so I feel more comfortable getting on a plane to go and see my Mum and Dad, knowing I have something to show if I am spot checked at the border. Once in June and again last week. No medical test - not even one conducted in a laboratory - can ever be 100% accurate. Nathan, who goes by @expedition_doctor on Instagram, said he received a positive PCR result following a very faint lateral flow test result.