Lateral flow tests

effalump

The PCR texts also give out lots of false positives. When the LFT's first came out they were touted as far more accurate than the PCR test. Then 'cases' went down using the LFT, shortly afterwards it was said that they were also giving false positives (or negatives). It would be far better for you to spend your time educating yourselves as to how to boost your immunity rather than waiting for a flawed outcome from any of these tests.

It is rare for LFTs to produce false positives. They are far more likely to give false negatives, which depends on the skill of the person doing the test. Self-testing is more likely to produce a false negative result than one done by people who have been properly trained. That's why LFTs are no guarantee that a person is negative.

effalump How do you suggest boosting immunity to Covid?

I did my first one on Monday thankfully it was a negative. I’ve six left as I received a pack of 7 perhaps my DH will do one himself he’s confused about the whole process so he’ll need support. These tests will give us security in the knowledge we’re not carrying. Surely it can only be for the good.

Yup, I do them twice a week. Negative. Glasgow needs all the help we can give.

The PCR texts also give out lots of false positives. When the LFT's first came out they were touted as far more accurate than the PCR test. Then 'cases' went down using the LFT, shortly afterwards it was said that they were also giving false positives (or negatives). It would be far better for you to spend your time educating yourselves as to how to boost your immunity rather than waiting for a flawed outcome from any of these tests.

GrannyRose15

No you wouldn't. But think about it for a moment. How much better would we all feel if no new Covid cases were reported? We started off worrying about deaths., then it was hospitalisation, now there is to be no freedom until there are no cases. Why does no one else see the pattern here and realise just how manipulated we have all been.

Why? Because you're only manipulated if you allow yourself to be.

www.gov.uk/government/news/new-analysis-of-lateral-flow-tests-shows-specificity-of-at-least-999

Franbern

Problem with these LFT is that they are so very inefficient and get so many flase positives. At my daughters school, two of her pupils got positive results, which proved negative when proper test carried out. A few days later teacher at one of my g.sons school got positive test -which would have meant him going into isolation over next weeks half term when his family are going on holiday - proper test showed this to be a negative.

If we cannot trust these test results, seem little point in doing them.

If you have a positive lateral flow test, you then have to have PCR test, this ensures all cases are caught, and any false neg/positives are quantified. Joining the Zoe app ensures tests arrive promptly, and results given day after posting back,very efficient. If teachers test was positive on lab Test then yes isolation would have been necessary, but as it showed negative on lab Test, what is the problem? Better be safe , and although had both vaccines, still test twice weekly.

And that last comment is exactly what I am talking about.

No you wouldn't. But think about it for a moment. How much better would we all feel if no new Covid cases were reported? We started off worrying about deaths., then it was hospitalisation, now there is to be no freedom until there are no cases. Why does no one else see the pattern here and realise just how manipulated we have all been.

Jillybird
Hi! My husband and I have both had 2 AZ vaccinations. We are on the Office of National Statistics research testing programme. For about a year they've been coming to the house every month and taking blood and doing swabs. The blood shows whether or not you have antibodies, so whether you've had covid in the past. The swabs show whether or not you have/haven't got covid when the test was done. The last ONS shows that my husband has antibodies (from his vaccinations) but showed that I have no antibodies (the vaccinations haven't worked for me, probably due to taking steroids for the last 10 months which lowers your immune system).
We are both doing lateral flow tests twice weekly which have all been negative.
I'm really pleased that we are on the ONS programme as I would otherwise assume that since I've had both my jabs that I was well protected. The no antibodies result proves differently. It's as if I've not had any vaccinations so I'll need to be extra careful in future. There must be quite a number of people in my position who think that they're well protected but aren't.

Yes, I think that's right. If you take two tests while you are still at the same level of infectiousness (is that a word?). 1/4 x 1/4 = 1/16. It's probably higher than that because one of the reasons for a false negative is that the test isn't being done properly.

I love a stats discussion in the morning

The chances for each one is 1 in 4 because they are independent events, but with the a priori assumption that you are Covid positive, what is the probability that 2 consecutive tests each return negative? 1/4 times 1/4, no?

Alegrias1

Thanks growstuff. I was trying to get at the chances of having 2 negative LF tests if you are actually Covid positive. 1 in 16, thanks.

It will be 1 in 4 for each test on an individual sample, so two different samples will be 1 in 4 each. They're not connected mathematically.

Thanks growstuff. I was trying to get at the chances of having 2 negative LF tests if you are actually Covid positive. 1 in 16, thanks.

I've been doing them as additional precaution for seeing out grandchildren

I went out with a friend today for lunch outside. We both took a test (negative) before we went out. My friend gets regular PCR tests through work and I will take another LFT test in a few days. I fully expect the results to be negative because we wore masks when we were likely to be near anybody else and spent most of the day outside. However, it is to good to have the opportunity to fell a bit more secure, as we all go through this phase.

Alegrias1

No, that's wrong, posted too soon. Likelihood of a false negative is 25%. Still 1 in 4 though.

Wish I'd never started now

It's 1 in 16, if you take both tests at the same time.

If you take two tests separated by a few days, it's still 1 in 4 chance of a false negative for each test because you could have been infected in the intervening time.

The chances of a false positive result are minimal, so it's not true that surge testing is contributing to raised transmission rates.

I’ve just ordered my first pack of tests. I didn’t think I could have them as I live in Wales and I didn’t think they were being made available to the general public, but the request has gone through ok.

Cabbie21

We have not done them. To be honest, I have not seen anything that suggests everyone ought to be doing them.
We have had both vaccinations, and don’t go out much, especially not to crowded places or into anyone’s house yet. We live in an area with a very low number of cases.
I haven’t yet tried or wanted to try to visit my sister in a care home, but if I did, I guess I might have to do one.
I didnt realise they were meant for everyone. Are they?

Yes they are for everyone.
www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests
Order on the website above and they post a box of 7 tests to you. Even if you only take a test when you are planning to go out somewhere and have contact with people it will protect us all. I only do a test once a week , mainly because when I started I kept forgetting when I was due to do it so now I do one the same day each week. If I start going out more I may do twice a week.

GrannyRose15

The longer we continue testing, the longer restrictions will be in place.
It's time to get back to normal.

We can't go back to normal if the infection is still spreading. The people who most need to test are those without symptoms who may be asymptomatic. Of course testing will show up infections and will keep restrictions in place but the alternative of allowing infection to spread unchecked will be far worse. Those who have been vaccinated may feel invincible but even full vaccination doesn't guarantee full protection and there are many people still not vaccinated, especially the younger population.

I'm trying to be responsible. I test weekly on Ssturday as I now sing as part of a small worship team in church. I want to be sure I can't pass anything to them and they are testing too. It is the responsible thing to do!

Obviously everyone with symptoms need to get a pcr test done and isolate appropriately.

Thank you very much JaneJudge.

maddyone

When my son in law took the tests, he knew he had Covid because of his work and the symptoms and therefore he was already isolating.
Sadly to me, he and my daughter and their family have now left for New Zealand due to working under the extreme stress of working in the NHS through this crisis. Not the point of the thread I know, but very sad for us as we miss them so much. Two fewer doctors in the NHS now.

I'm really sorry, that must be really difficult for you

I would do them as a precaution if I was still working.

I do the twice weekly ones ,always test myself and always report the results.Mine have been negative always ,I work part time as a nurse so I am patient facing. I do feel those in the Government, NHS etc need to know that we are being attentive and doing our best to limit exposure. I’ve had both jabs and am hoping things can get back to normal ASAP.

I take the tests twice a week. It is not a pleasant experience but if it prevents the spread of this awful virus a little discomfort is worth every second.