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Originally Posted by Discombobulated
Well I tested negative by lateral flow this morning, I got quite excited but when I held it up to the lamp I got see a very faint line on the T so not quite but probably tomorrow. This matters because our isolation is now potentially reduced for vaccinated people from 10 days to 7 if a person tests negative on day 6 and 7. Hmm. I was still testing positive on day 7 so it wouldn’t have helped me, I’m playing it safe and staying home today, I’m on day 9 so not long now. I haven’t really missed going out because although I had mild symptoms (no respiratory effects at all no temperature even) I have been very tired - it’s like my body has been working hard.
@ InkyTinks I had AstraZeneca 2x too and didn’t yet get my booster as for my age they kept saying 6 months then by the time they brought it to 3 months I could only bring it forward 3 days and then I had covid anyway (I work in a supermarket where I have been exposed to coughing frequently by the public so I’m fairly high risk for catching). I read of a man who had difficulty obtaining a 3rd dose of AZ as they are using MRNA for boosters, he did eventually get it - like you he couldn’t have an MRNA. Could you maybe talk to your Dr first about it?
I have to say all the breakthrough cases I’ve known were 2xAZ including myself but maybe a 3rd dose would help? I also read today AZ are working on an Omicron specific vaccine Steps taken to target Omicron with AstraZeneca jab, scientist says | Coronavirus | The Guardian
I got my blood antibody result back and I did have antibodies and was told they couldn’t be from the recent infection but were from either previous infection or vaccinations. Not sure what to make of that, it looks like I had antibodies just not enough to resist the virus? Or maybe I’ve had Omicron? |
Certain rapid tests may not work for the omicron variant. I'd look into that. You may have a different strain.
Also, if the line is faint, you're still somewhat infectious. It's best to protect others by just quarantining an extra 3 days, and that's once all your symptoms have been gone. If you still have symptoms, even if you test negative, you should still quarantine, since it is also possible that you have been concurrently infected with a different respiratory illness at the same time. The key here is to slow the spread and make it safe for others, including yourself. There have been people who have been reinfected with omicron after first being infected with a different strain. If you have a different strain, which is likely because tests may not pick up omicron yet, then you are still at risk for getting omicron. That's what the latest data suggest. It's better to err on the side of caution instead of incurring more risk. It's this pandemic fatigue that affects our own risk assessments, especially when working with others in enclosed spaces, being around other vulnerable people, and living with one more persons.
Here's one link regarding omicron not being detectable by tests:
FDA finds 3 COVID-19 tests that fail to detect the omicron variant | MedTech Dive.
And here's another link regarding omicron likely to reinfect; there's no natural immunity against omicron:
Omicron more likely to reinfect than Delta, no milder -study | Reuters
Be safe.