No medical test - not even one conducted in a laboratory - can ever be 100% accurate. SiL also had faint LFT and then negative PCR next day. Hi Soph, I am so sorry to hear you are having this problem, but glad you have found me on here! My SO is on his 5th day of testing. A positive lateral flow test no matter how faint must be treated as a definite Covid-19 case as the home testing kits are "very reliable", a Queen's University virologist has said.. I'll be interested to see if my Rheumy Nurse knows any more about the Antibody issue when she gets back to me. Have been taking LFTs 2-3 times a week since February and never seen a line, and I tend to inspect them a bit neurotically. Some lines across the T section, which indicates if you have coronavirus or not . I'll send you details of the lady I spoke to at NRAS. Im in Amsterdam at the moment. So interesting that other people have experienced this too. we rushed and got a PCR test on Friday evening in the hope of getting the result the following day before the wedding , and paid 200 ie 100 each . What does a faint line on your lateral flow test mean? You no longer have to get a follow-up PCR test if you test positive on a lateral flow with no symptoms. Did a lateral flow test in the morning of the 6th. 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. Just checking youre not eating or drinking beforehand? Lateral flow test (LFTs) are used to identify people with COVID-19. MORE : What medication should I take for Covid? For other inquiries Contact Us. Government guidance states: "Result lines may appear smudged or faint, but they are still valid results . They are nose only swabs, so I wasn't holding out hope but it's so far so good. The medic wrote: "If the faintly positive line appears after the time window, the most likely cause is either that there has been some contamination (e.g. The test line has appeared faintly in the during of the 30 min test window. Like I said, anecdotal evidence, 4 people in the family and two close friends have taken nose only FLT tests which indicated negative results. 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. He said: "If the faint line appears after the window, the most likely cause is either that there has been some contamination (e.g. As PPs have said you do sometimes get a shadow if the test is left to develop for longer than the recommended incubation time. ! That does seem very sensitive if that's the case though. supports HTML5 I am so sorry you have had issues with the vaccine, I really hope you find a solution to that as it must be scary not being fully vaccinated. To begin with they were rolled out in healthcare settings, workplaces and sporting events. After 20mins a very thin (positive) second line appeared. Hi. London-based A&E doctor Nathan Hudson-Peacock has explained why timing is everything when it comes to using an LFT to detect COVID-19. I'm 3 years into a rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis but I hospital about stopping my meds. MORE : First Partygate fines to be issued today for Number Ten Covid bashes. A doctor has shared his concerns about the faint lines on lateral flow tests and what they could indicate. The Flow Flex tests I and family have had are nasal only. . O holy fright: even a faint second line on a lateral flow test means you are positive Credit: iStockphoto For the past few months, our lives have been ruled by a swab up the nose. For many of us, taking a lateral flow test is part of our routine. LFTs are a rapid way of testing for Covid-19. I don't think I have had Covid in the past - that said, I accept that I could have been completely asymptomatic. browser that They told me about this post. I too have the worry that false positives will cause me difficulties in the future. This is interesting Melissa. Hi Melissa. Who can still get free lateral flow tests from this Friday. I had both vaccinations this summer, AstraZeneca with a booster due early next year. Lateral flow tests are now part of life for much of the UK. 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! The Sun is also urging readers to sign up to the Jabs Army campaign to make the rollout as smooth and fast as possible. However, the PCR tests have consistently come back negative. At least within a group of relatives and friends. If you are comfortable, it might be worth letting them know your experience too. Of course, we can't say for 100% certain the vital load through either the antigen test or the Ct value from the PCR test, but we can look at the correlations. 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. I have a really mild cold at the moment, so now wondering if the FlowFLex is picking up a common coronavirus. Ill have to try to track some down any idea what to look for? Our kits say ignore anything after XX mins (cant recall what XX is). I have read about this too. I've been trying to find any information on super faint lines that result on lateral flow tests. Later I had a clear positive lateral flow. An evaporation line is a slight streak that appears where the positive line on a pregnancy test should be. If a faint positive line appears later than this, its highly likely to be a very weak contaminant or extremely low levels of the virus which would not be transmissible. Wife and son both had it recently, wife double vacced, son 11 yo. I am sorry you have had this experience but am also relieved to have come across someone else. The proportion of false positives does increase when the prevalence of the disease falls in society. If you get to day 10 and you're still testing positive, then the NHS has some guidance. My SO is on his 5th day of testing. I would say it is worth reporting your wife's experience though, incase there is some kind of exemption going forwards. I've been trying to find any information on super faint lines that result on lateral flow tests. Hi Soph, I am really glad you have found some that work for you. 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. 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. View our online Press Pack. Ill have to try to track some down any idea what to look for? Whenever you do a test, set a timer forthe waiting time specified in the test kit instructions.. A major review found that lateral flow tests used in England were almost always correct when they produced a positive result (99 per cent). If a faint line appears after 30 minutes, he adds, it may not indicate a positive result - but people should still be cautious about socialising indoors and take precautions. I have now had both Pfizer jabs. Recently he shared an image of a lateral flow test with an extremely faint line next to the 'T'. The latest nasal only LFT test kits have been shown to be less sensitive than the older nasal and throat tests. You can find out more about our legitimate interest activity in our Privacy Policy. Dr Jenny Harries, UKHSA Chief Executive said: Our data shows that LFD tests are similarly able to detect COVID-19 in individuals who have been exposed to Omicron as in those exposed to previous variants. OK I'm a scientist (a biochemist) and have spent several years of my life developing these kind of tests so an expert. Each positive case identified can help prevent many more infections. no plans to ask people to pay for lateral flow tests, Harry: I always felt different to rest of family, US-made cheese can be called 'gruyere' - court, AOC under investigation for Met Gala dress, The children left behind in Cuba's exodus, Mbappe breaks PSG goal record in win over Nantes, Alex Murdaugh's legal troubles are far from over, Walkie Talkie architect Rafael Violy dies aged 78, Saving Private Ryan actor Tom Sizemore dies at 61. I have another Flowflex test waiting at home for my Day 2 be interesting to see what happens with that. Unlike PCR tests, these detect proteins from the virus,. I'm in exactly the same position Melissa. It's been a really troubling few weeks trying to be acknowledged and listened to. They correctly gave a positive test to 58% of people without symptoms as well. Request an accessible format.. I tried that but still delivers a false positive. I'm not sure how regularly these tests are being done among shielding groups. However, even if you have a negative lateral flow test, if you have symptoms you should isolate straight away and book a PCR. As the bride's mother , my wife's sister , had passed away years a go with breast cancer. Last week I took another lateral flow test as was feeling a bit under the weather again. Polymerase chain. Consistent false positive lateral flow tests for Covid. What are the chances Im positive? Video, Russian minister laughed at for Ukraine war claims, analysis of the lateral flow kit used in Liverpool. A doctor has explained why seeing a faint second 'positive' line on a lateral flow test doesn't always mean you have the virus. Of course there is the possibility that your DS is positive but has such low levels of virus that it is below the limit of detection of the assay . If there is no line, that means you have. If so, how did you get on? 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. If you are not inclined to do that I would keep doing daily lateral flow as a minimum. Thanks for your message. If you wish to object to the use of your data in this way, please A change from negative to positive can occur within hours, experts have shown. Taking to Instagram, Dr Hudson-Peacock detailed what it means if a faint line shows up next to the T within or outside of the interpretation window. I took LFT tests over consecutive days, including the day I did a PCR test, all LFTs were negative, PCR positive. Cheeky monkies eh?! He seems to think if it was related to RA, it would have been noticed already but I wonder how much data there is available? My subsequent PCR test was negative. The company I used didnt ask you to report a result, just to upload a photo which they would assess and issue a certificate accordingly. food or drink, or some other very weak . Hi there, thank you so much for coming back to me. Four subsequent LFTs were negative but I got a PCR anyway, which is positive. We can't be the only ones out there! 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. Good luck and let me know how you get on. I would do another lateral flow. I've seen in the recent news that there is now a trend in the south west where several people are getting positive LFD's then negative PCR's, so perhaps they may become more interested and open to the idea that these tests aren't as good as they think. A post shared by Nathan (@expedition_doctor). Excludes Gift Memberships, Discount applies to first year. 45 mins later and the second LFT is completely clear, maybe Ive already scraped all the covid particles out of my nose on the previous tests, Hopefully will get the PCR result tomorrow. 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. However, I will be very interested to see whether this is reported 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. 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. Have you got a source for that? 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). Lateral flow antigen testing detects the presence of the COVID-19 viral antigen from a swab sample. Where are you? News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. 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? Boxes of seven tests could be delivered free, or picked up from a pharmacy. Posting a photo of a vaguely positive lateral flow to Instagram, London-based A&E doctor Nathan explained what it could mean. You no longer have to get a follow-up PCR test if you test positive on a lateral flow with no symptoms. Hope you work out what is causing yours. Either way it's not very reassuring knowing they're less sensitive than made out. Will the Lockdown Files change Westminsters WhatsApp ways? After following the instructions on the leaflet included with testing packs, there's often a clear result. But if a second line appears on the test after this time window, is it possible that you could have Covid-19? LATERAL flow tests are a quick and easy way to find out if you have Covid. 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. If so, I wonder if we could flag this together to our Rheumatology depts. If the result is positive, the T line will appear, indicating that the test has detected coronavirus antigens. It most likely is a very low level of antigen but lateral flow tests of all sorts can give odd results outside the validated read window. A bit clearer now after a few hours but still very faint. This can be due to non-specific binding and will vary from test to test. Lateral flow tests have pretty much 100% specificity. I just don't believe there are so few people having this issue that it hasn't been flagged. Hi Melissa,Two thoughts occur. Download 'Turn Me On' on iTunes, 11 January 2022, 10:19 | Updated: 11 January 2022, 10:40. Well, Ive just done another one. You do not need to isolate and you do not need to book a PCR.. Then in April, the programme was extended to the general public. They said they are aware of it but it's so rare they don't yet know why it's happening. I reported it to test and trace but they seemed entirely disinterested, I also contacted NRAS who said that they're aware of this but don't have an answer as to why it's happening. The innova test showed a faint second line but the government issue lateral flow tests were consistently negative and three pcrs were negative too. Thanks, Melissa. They are the tests we got in the unbranded blue and white boxes. (they may be faint), one line on the top if it is negative or one line on the bottom if the . If it is a false result its most likely because you read it too late not because of cross reaction with another virus. Youve got symptoms and youve done a PCR. No conclusive link can be drawn between this and antibodies relating to RA. From personal experience Id say very likely to be positive but early stages. 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. Hi Melissa, I did a flowflex test today and it's negative. Am taking 5mg Prednisolone at the moment.Believe I caught covid in December 2019 but was too early for a test at the time. One step closer to me and my family being reunited. Others think that as the Omicron wave passes, it is time to wind down the mass testing programme completely. Hi Soph, I have heard that pharmacies still have the Xiamen ones. The only day the line was dark was 12/26. Click here to get The Sun newspaper delivered for FREE for the next six weeks. Two negatives and 1 false positive. . By the next day it was so red the ink was bleeding out! Their email address is: bsr@rheumatology.org.uk if you feel you want to share your experience too. I emailed NRAS yesterday. PCR test a day later was negative. However, if a line appears *after* the interpretation window then this does NOT count as a positive test. Says in the bumph, any line no matter how faint should be treated as a positive test and go get PCR. 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'. I have had the exact same but I am the opposite and only get false positives with the Flowflex brand just in the nose, the other non-branded (nose and throat) ones are negative for me. Hi Melissa,My husband has had positive lateral flows since Wednesday (so for 5 days now) - the line is very heavy on each. Thanks, Melissa. food or drink, or some other weak contaminant), or there are just very low levels of the virus. video. I too have had this happen to me. 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 suppose on the plus, it got things moving though. The picture above is my positive LFT from this morning, and I have confirmed COVID. A link has been emailed to you - check your inbox. I managed to get an appointment tomorrow and will let you know what they say. I also did a xiamen one which was positive. 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. Also certain types of toothpaste. Now my wife is positive but our other daughter and myself still negative on both LFTs and PCRs. Gradually those same rapid lateral flow tests have become part of everyday life. subscription as described in our Privacy Policy. Have anyone else tested positive? Thirdly, some people are also failing to test properly with newer kits. Yeah I know, the result is supposed to be invalid after 30mins, but I never had a line appear after a test even on old tests several days old. 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". 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.