Still testing positive 7 days since my first positive. Can I go out now?

actuallylike

Hello all,

I tested positive last week, two antigen tests confirmed, very faint lines. No symptoms, felt a tiny bit achy in the night of the test but nothing since then, and tbh I could put those achy pains down to hypochondria after testing positive for the first time.

I tested again this morning and still positive ( very thick lines now), still no symptoms.

Am I right in saying, from my interpretation of the HSE guidelines, that even if I'm positive, after 7 days of the first positive I'm allowed go out? I'm assuming that I'm not contagious anymore, is that true?

I don't necessarily have anywhere to be, but would like to go back to the shops and gym. Have no real issue isolating a bit more if needed though.

DLink

Say nothing, be grand.

fun loving criminal

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058242225/still-testing-positive-7-days-since-my-first-positive-can-i-go-out-now

They reduced isolation to 7 days so long as you wear a mask when around others, so there must be still a risk of passing it on.

Apothic_Red

Yep, you're good but need to wear an FFP2 mask for the next 3 days. I was positive up to day 8 but only had a runny nose on the first 2 days.

Amprodude

What happens if you have symptoms after day 7 ( runny nose and cough) and testing positive with 2 different antigen test kits? What is the protocol to follow? I went for a pcr today to confirm awaiting result.

Why keep taking tests when you know you are positive? Isolate for 7 days, take extra precautions for the next 3, as per the guidelines. There is no need to keep taking tests, unless you enjoy having your adenoids tickled

https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/covid19/restricted-movements/how-to-self-isolate/

Amprodude

If you still have symptoms after 7 days, what do you do then? take extra precautions for 3 days? does that mean isolate for further 3 days?

Lumen

It means that there's no way to know if you're infectious or not, so you should take reasonable precautions for another 3 days to avoid infecting other people, like avoiding or at least wearing a mask in crowded or badly ventilated spaces.

At 10 days almost nobody is still infectious.

Amprodude

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118977489#Comment_118977489

So I should avoid people for 3 days if possible?

It says that you can come out of isolation after 7 days provided you have no symptoms in the last 48 hours.

If you have symptoms then I take it you are to be precautionary for extra 3 days after isolation?

waterwelly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118977669#Comment_118977669

Just get on with your life and stop thinking it's still a thing. It's not, nobody cares.

Amprodude

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118977718#Comment_118977718

People do care unfortunately. You will still get strange looks if you had covid and still coughing after it. Depends on where you are I guess.

Lumen

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118977669#Comment_118977669

Yes, yes, yes.

As for nobody caring (not directed at you), well it might not be the massive public health crisis it was, but it's still a bad dose for a lot of people. My spouse was just wiped out for two weeks by it, now struggling to manage work in week 3, and she's healthy and not particularly old (under 50).

IMO it's just about being reasonably considerate for that extra 3 days.

Amenhotep

If you feel ok , then it's ok, go out and live your life.

abff

How strict is the seven day isolation rule? I started to feel bad yesterday and tested positive. I have an event on next Thursday evening that I would like to be able to attend if possible. This would be towards the end of day seven.

If I did an antigen test that morning and it was negative, would it be OK for me to go out?

VG31

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119060623#Comment_119060623

It's not "strict" at all, it's public health advice. It's up to your own judgement how long you isolate for.

abff

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119061188#Comment_119061188

Thanks. I thought it was mandatory, not advisory. I guess it’s deliberately phrased that way, though I note they say “should” rather than “must”.

abff

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119061188#Comment_119061188

Actually, I reported my positive test result online to the HSE portal and I received a text back from them stating that I “must continue to sell-isolate until my required period of self-isolation ends.” This suggests that it is mandatory.

fun loving criminal

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119065349#Comment_119065349

If you have symptoms, still testing positive, why don't you just isolate? Or is your need to be selfish more important?

abff

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119065393#Comment_119065393

Reasonable question. I have no intention of deliberately putting people at risk and I won’t be going shopping or using public transport or going to any social events. But it would be nice to be able to go out for a walk if I keep well away from other people.

fun loving criminal

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119065465#Comment_119065465

You never said anything about a walk. You talked about an event next week in your post above. They only reduced isolation period so long as you wear a well fitting mask, this is something that never gets mentioned. So you're potentially putting others at risk even if you leave isolation after 7 days.

abff

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119065647#Comment_119065647

My original question was partly about whether I could attend the event on Thursday if I was symptom free and had a negative test result. But I’m going a bit stir crazy stuck indoors and it would be nice to get some fresh air.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119065874#Comment_119065874

Yes if you are symptom free and have a negative test theres nothing stopping you attending the event. There is nothing stopping you going out to the garden for some fresh air