Question About Taking Lateral Flow Test On Day 2 After Returning From Abroad.

[Gizmonster]

So I've recently just recovered from having Covid and I was told that I shouldn't take another test within the next 90 days, as there's a chance it will return a false positive.
So is there anywhere on this test that I'm supposed to take, where I can submit my details to inform them of my previous Covid infection??
Knowing my luck, it'll come back positive and I'll be told to isolate ..... just in time for Xmas!!

[bednobs]

What difference would it make if you could tell them? A positive is a positive and no-one knows if it's current or previous so the advice would be the same. You could always get someone else to do our test, but you run the risk they have it!

[Hopkirk]

Just declare it as negative.

[Hopkirk]

Ignore that, you have to send a photograph of the test.

[Hopkirk]

Try doing a free government lateral flow test, and see if it gives a false positive.

[bobbinwales]

Even if its a false positive you'll be required to follow the set process which is "anyone with a positive result will need to take a free NHS confirmatory PCR test and isolate". Theres no way a positive will be ignored because theres a chance it may of been a false positive. It could also be that you really are positive and may be infectious. I dont know what happens if the resultent PCR test is negative, not sure whether your isolation can then be cancelled, sorry

[Gizmonster]

If I'm understanding this Lateral flow Test, you do it at home and you don't send it off to be tested, you complete it all at home, so you get the result at home??
Then you send a photo of the result back to the testing centre??
If this is the case, it's madness .... what's to stop someone running the swab under the tap and testing that .... not that I'd ever contemplate doing that!!

[dave50]

Don't bother

[pixie374]

Because they are like pregnancy tests, giz, with two lines. One to show it has worked, and one to give the result. Running it under a tap, will just show the test hasn't worked.

[bednobs]

here's a novel thought: you could JFDI?

[Mamyalynne]

Splutter :-)

[Canary42]

I've never had to send a pic, I've just reported online. Is this a new development ?

[Hopkirk]

Yes, for a day 2 test on arrival into the UK you cannot use a government one. Instead you buy a private one, and report the result by photo to the company who supplied it

[Canary42]

Thanks Hopkirk.

[pixie374]

When my daughter had it, they wouldn't retest her before she returned to work at a care home, because it was pointless within 90 days.
There must be some way of contacting them, or an option, gizmo? You won't be the only one.

[Gizmonster]

//// you could JFDI? ////

..... and if that means what I think it does, there's no need :)

I'm reluctant to take the test, even more so after having been told about the risk of a false positive within 90 days. I don't want to run the risk of having to self-isolate, especially over Xmas.

Thanks for the replies anyway peeps.
If I can't contact the company that we'll be getting the kits from .... well .... I know what I'll be doing .....

[Hopkirk]

Like I suggested earlier, to get an idea if it's a problem do a government supplied lft test. If it's positive you will be pretty sure it is a false positive. Don't report it, and no one will ever know.

[bobbinwales]

Yes I can guess what you'll be doing... cheating the system and more importantly if you really do have covid again risk infecting your family over christmas.
As I already explained if its positive you'll have to do a pcr as a check to see if its a false positive ( so negative) or true positive.
The other option is not to go on holiday of you don't like the requirements and think they should apply to others but not you.