Keep in mind, though, that there are other possible symptoms of COVID-19. "Essentially, if *any* line appears before the end of the interpretation window (check leaflet, often this is 30 minutes), then this is a *positive* test and you must isolate and book a PCR. Although NHS guidance says you do not need to self isolate if your lateral flow test is negative, if you have a faint positive line, Dr Peacock advised to be extra precautious. "Thank you to the family of the student who had the inconclusive test for getting back to us so quickly.". The line appears within the period specified on the instructions, which is usually 3-5 minutes. Lateral flow tests are available from around 2 or less for single tests from many high street retailers in England. Faint lines can be confusing to interpret - but what do they really mean? 1. Dr Nathan Hudson-Peacock, who works in an A&E department in London, has warned there is a window of 'interpretation' for each lateral flow testing kit for coronavirus. A faint positive lateral flow test result is shown in the image above Credit: Sun Online. Dr Sally Shaw, who oversees a Covid-19 testing site, told 3AW radio a faint second line should be considered as positive result if the person has symptoms. 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Meanwhile, NHS workers, carers, prison workers and employees in high risk domestic violence settings will get them for free. Thank you very much! The recent UK cases are the first to be recorded in Britain, but cat-to-human transmission diseases like this have been circulating for decades in Brazil. 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This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. An A&E doctor has issued some guidance on what a faint result line on lateral flow Covid tests can mean. New rules around those who test positive for the virus has seen the isolation period cut from 10 days to seven but only if you test negative on day six and day seven using a LFT. Antigen tests have become all the rage over the Christmas period as people in their thousands take them in order to have the safest festive season as possible with friends and family. Although you are not legally required to self-isolate in England, the NHS recommends that you stay at home and avoid other people. For instance, you might also experience fever, chills, shortness of breath, fatigue . A recent Cochrane Review found that these tests were most accurate when used during the first week after COVID-19 symptoms developed. Then came COVID-19, COVID: inhalable and nasal vaccines could offer more durable protection than regular shots, Here's how to approach flu shots and COVID boosters during pregnancy, COVID vaccines dont just benefit physical health they improve mental health too. So, if you do get a faint line, the bad news is that you do still have coronavirus - but you must still report it and you are advised to act accordingly. ", With rapid testing being the main point of call for many concerned Brits, confusing results are becoming more common across the nation.READ MORE:Dementia: The smelly sign that may 'precede' memory loss by 10 years. 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The data shows one in 13 people in England are estimated to have had Covid during that weekm an increase of one in 16 people in the week before. A positive lateral flow test (left) will feature two lines adjacent to C and T, whereas a negative lateral flow test (right) will only feature one red line next to C. (Image credit: annastories . 07/11/2021 00:29 I had a positive LFT today and it was two dark pink/red lines. 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. A test which returns no red lines at all, or just one line next to the T, means it is void and a new one will need to be taken on a fresh kit. 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Here is all you need to know about what that faint line means. As rapid antigen COVID-19 tests measure the presence of viral proteins, even a faint line positive result indicates that SARS-CoV-2 has had an impact on your immune system. Although lateral flow tests are no longer free in England, people may want to continue using them if they have symptoms of Covid-19. It adds: Result lines may appear smudged or faint, but they are still valid results and must be reported.. Government guidance says two lines, even if these are faint, indicates the test is positive. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Repeated and second one so faint you could barely see it at all, just a shadow. When a second line appears next to the T, this indicates a positive Covid reading. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. And if you have symptoms, you should isolate and book a PCR - even if your lateral flow test is negative. The LFTs measure roughly the amount of virus in the sample, he explained. 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"We need to assume that if there's a . A line next to the C means the test has worked, as the C stands for control, but a line next to the T (test) indicates a positiveCovid-19reading. Dr Hudson-Peacock said: "If the faintly positive line appears after the time window, the most likely cause is either that there has been some contamination (e.g. Lateral flow tests (LFTs) are designed to detect the presence of antigens found in the virus. So, a dark line will usually indicate a high level of virus, and tend to be seen when people are at or near peak levels of virus within their bodies. But two members of the household have got these lines which seems strange. For more stories from where you live, visit InYourArea. Subscribe to our newsletter to get the day's top stories sent directly to you. Altered sense of smell. If the line appears outside of the 30 minute interpretation window (after you have completed the test), you should not count this as a positive result.