Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => COVID-19 => Topic started by: Lewis Thomson on 27/01/2022 11:06:10

Title: Why am I still covid positive after 10 days of isolation?
Post by: Lewis Thomson on 27/01/2022 11:06:10

Emma is desperate for advice & answers to this situation.

"I'm 50, have had 3 jabs and on day 10 of isolation following itchy throat and positive lateral flow (day 0). I'm still testing positive with lateral flow, therefore am remaining in isolation so as not to infect my household (all negative). Why is this taking so long to turn negative, when others are changing on day 5? Are they just catching it later?"

Can you help them in the comments below?

Title: Re: Why am I still covid positive after 10 days of isolation?
Post by: evan_au on 28/01/2022 06:25:42

PCR tests are very sensitive and can show positive long after you cease to be infectious. But RATs are less sensitive and tend to tell you that you are infectious today.

It is possible that you may have caught Delta strain, which apparently hangs around a bit longer than Omicron?

If your immune system is impaired, you may fail to clear the infection in the usual time (or at all).
The vast majority of people should clear the infection within 14 days.

Stay in isolation until you get a negative test. But its a good idea to check your blood-oxygen saturation levels, as some people suffer problems well after normal 5-7 days of infection.