Should I Get a Covid Test if a Family Member Tests Positive

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Guidance for individuals with possible coronavirus infection

Self-isolating when you are asked to is the best style to forbid the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). It's very important that you stay at home (self-isolate) if:

you have symptoms of coronavirus
you've had a positive lateral flow device (LFD) or polymerase concatenation reaction (PCR) test event
you've been told to self-isolate because y'all're a close contact of a positive case

When and how long to cocky-isolate due to coronavirus

Use this guide to find out if you need to cocky-isolate and for how long.

Self-help guide

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What are the symptoms of coronavirus?

The most common symptoms are new:

continuous cough
fever/loftier temperature (37.8C or greater)
loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste (anosmia)

A new continuous cough is where you:

have a new coughing that's lasted for an 60 minutes
have had iii or more than episodes of coughing in 24 hours
are coughing more than usual

A high temperature is feeling hot to the touch on your chest or back (y'all don't need to mensurate your temperature). Yous may feel warm, cold or shivery.

Self-isolation if y'all have coronavirus

If you have symptoms, you should cocky-isolate immediately and book a PCR exam. If you test positive, you should self-isolate for 10 days from the engagement your symptoms started.

If you've had a positive PCR or LFD examination effect but no symptoms, you should cocky-isolate for 10 days from the engagement of your examination. You may continue to develop symptoms over the adjacent few days, just y'all don't need a confirmatory PCR exam, unless advised by a clinician, and you don't need to re-start your isolation period. If you develop any of the main symptoms of coronavirus and you are concerned, or your symptoms are worsening, phone 111 or speak to your GP. In an emergency telephone 999.

You may all the same have a cough or loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste for several weeks. People with symptoms are very unlikely to infect others after the 10th day of disease. Once you've completed your x day cocky-isolation, you tin can return to piece of work and your usual activities (regardless of your LFD result) as long equally you feel better and practice not take a high temperature. You must go on to follow the Scottish Regime's coronavirus communication.

Ending cocky-isolation early

You may be able to end self-isolation early if you have 2 negative LFD examination results in a row from day 6 onwards, taken 24 hours autonomously. For case, a negative LFD test upshot on twenty-four hours six and 7, day 7 and eight, or twenty-four hour period 8 and nine. You should study your LFD exam result later taking each test, regardless of the result. To be able to finish self-isolation, you lot should also brand certain yous:

exercise not have a high temperature
follow the guidance for staying safe when you lot've ended self-isolation

You lot should not take an LFD test before day six of your cocky-isolation period.

You should but end self-isolation after 2 negative LFD test results in a row.

This guidance applies regardless of age, vaccination condition or previous infection.

If you continue to exam positive on LFD tests, or cull not to take LFD tests to end self-isolation early, you tin return to work and your usual activities on the 11th day later your symptoms started, as long as you feel better and exercise not have a high temperature.

If you're still testing positive during a menses of isolation and, rightly, reporting the positive test results, you may receive repeated isolation data from Test and Protect. You should not restart your isolation menstruation, instead, you should keep to follow the advice you received following your beginning positive test.

Support available

If you lot're told to self-isolate by Test and Protect you may be eligible for a £500 Cocky-Isolation Back up Grant. If you have tested positive on a LFD test, you need a confirmatory positive PCR test event to apply for the grant.

Book a PCR test

National Assistance Helpline

If your friends or family are not able to aid, phone the National Assistance Helpline (0800 111 4000).

This helpline is only for those who have to stay at home but can't get the assist they need through friends or family.

If you've tested positive in the last 28 days

If you've tested positive, yous should interruption routine LFD testing for 28 days subsequently cocky-isolating. Count the 28 days from the day your symptoms started, or the date of your positive test if y'all didn't take symptoms. If you're identified as a close contact during this fourth dimension, yous do not need to test or self-isolate as long as you do not take any new symptoms, regardless of vaccination status. If yous do develop new symptoms, self-isolate and volume a PCR examination.

Cocky-isolation if y'all're a close contact

You may exist a close contact if you:

live with someone who has tested positive – for example you sleep in the same home or live in shared accommodation like university halls
have spent eight hours or more than in the home of the person who has tested positive during their infectious catamenia – for example a sleepover
are a cleaner (not using PPE) who cleans the habitation of the person who has tested positive, fifty-fifty if you lot did non spend time with them
have had contiguous contact less than 1 metre apart from the person who has tested positive for any length of time
have had any contact less than 1 metre apart from the person who tested positive for ane minute or longer
have been within ii metres of the person who tested positive for more than fifteen minutes
automobile-shared with the person who tested positive

If you lot live with someone who tests positive, y'all should follow the guidance for shut contacts from when their symptoms started, or from when they tested positive if they don't accept symptoms.

If you're non sure if you lot're a close contact, or if y'all demand communication near close contacts, you can call the National Contact Tracing Centre on 0800 030 8012. Interpreter services and contactScotland-BSL are bachelor.

The infectious catamenia is any time from ii days before any one of the three principal symptoms starts and up to ten days subsequently. If the person who tested positive does non accept symptoms, their close contacts are counted from two days earlier the date of their positive exam and upwardly to 10 days after.

Close contacts who are fully vaccinated

If you're a close contact who is fully vaccinated, you can accept daily LFD tests instead of cocky-isolating. Fully vaccinated means you've received three doses of an approved vaccine at least 14 days before yous concluding saw the person who tested positive. If y'all live with the person who tested positive, the 14 days is counted from the day their symptoms started, or 14 days before they tested positive if they don't take symptoms. The daily LFD tests should exist taken for 7 days in a row or until the end of your 10 day self-isolation menstruum, whichever is soonest.

As a close contact, if you develop the main symptoms of coronavirus you should immediately self-isolate and book a PCR test. If this is negative keep to take daily LFD tests for vii days or the duration of your cocky-isolation catamenia which ever is soonest. If this is positive and so you demand to self-isolate for ten days from when your symptoms started. Y'all may be able to end cocky-isolation early on.

If whatever of your LFD tests are positive, you should self-isolate for 10 days from the engagement of your positive test result. You practice not need to book a follow-upwards PCR test to confirm your positive LFD result.

Close contacts who are not fully vaccinated

If you're a close contact who is non fully vaccinated, you should self-isolate for 10 days and book a PCR test. Even if your test result is negative, you should consummate the 10 day self-isolation.

If yous've had a positive PCR test event in the last ninety days, you do non need to volume another PCR test unless you develop new symptoms.

If y'all cannot exist vaccinated for medical reasons, y'all should follow the guidance for close contacts who are fully vaccinated.

If you lot're taking part in a registered clinical vaccine trial which ways yous cannot be fully vaccinated, you lot tin follow the guidance for fully vaccinated shut contacts.

Shut contacts anile under eighteen years and 4 months

Close contacts aged nether eighteen years and 4 months can accept daily LFD tests instead of self-isolating. The daily LFD tests should be taken for seven days in a row or until the terminate of your x mean solar day cocky-isolation period, whichever is soonest.

Equally a close contact, if you develop the main symptoms of coronavirus y'all should immediately cocky-isolate and book a PCR test. If this is negative continue to take daily LFD tests for 7 days or the duration of your self-isolation period which ever is soonest. If this is positive then yous demand to self-isolate for x days from when your symptoms started. Yous may be able to end self-isolation early on.

If any of your LFD tests are positive, you should self-isolate for 10 days from the engagement of your positive examination result. You lot do not need to book a follow-upwards PCR test to confirm your positive LFD consequence.

'Low risk' contacts anile under 18 years and iv months

Yous may receive a notification to tell you that you or your child is a 'low risk' contact. Notifications are commonly sent by schools or nurseries to children who take shared a classroom with someone who has tested positive.

Low take a chance contacts do non need to self-isolate, book a PCR test or take daily LFD tests. They should follow the advice in the notification to have extra precautions, including regular LFD testing.

Children under five

Children under 5 who are close contacts do not demand to self-isolate or take daily LFD tests, merely are recommended to have a test.

If the child under five has symptoms or develops symptoms and then they should have a PCR test.

If you lot're unable to take LFD tests for a medical reason

If yous or someone you care for is identified as a contact but accept been advised by a medical professional that you or they are unable to do accept LFD tests for a medical reason, this should be discussed with Examination and Protect when they contact you.

Staying prophylactic if you lot've concluded self-isolation

If you're someone who can end cocky-isolation, you should:

limit close contact with other people outside your household, especially in enclosed spaces, for 10 days
vesture a face covering in enclosed spaces and where yous cannot maintain physical distancing
limit contact with anyone who is at highest risk for 10 days
not visit people in care homes, hospitals, prisons or other detention centres for x days, unless essential and agreed with staff in advance
continue to have part in twice weekly lateral catamenia device (LFD) testing later the 10 days

If y'all've tested positive, count the x days from the date your symptoms started, or the date of your test if you do not have symptoms. If you lot're a shut contact, count the 10 days from the date of your last contact with the positive case.

How to self-isolate

Practise

ask others for assist to brand sure you tin stay at home
ask your employer, friends or family unit to help you go the things you demand
stay at to the lowest degree 2 metres (well-nigh 3 steps) away from other people in your dwelling whenever possible
sleep alone if possible
wash your easily with soap and water for twenty seconds regularly
stay away from the elderly and those with underlying health conditions as much every bit possible
consider whether older people and those with underlying health conditions tin stay in another house while y'all need to stay at home
contact carers to tell them you're self-isolating so they tin can follow the correct procedures to prevent spread of the infection
keep in touch with friends and family unit by phone or through social media
postpone whatsoever non-essential healthcare appointments – for example medical, dental or optician appointments

Cocky-isolation ways yous should stay at dwelling house. You shouldn't go to work, school, public areas or utilize public transport. You lot shouldn't get out to buy food or other essentials.

Avert close contact with others by:

non having visitors
not using taxis or public transport
asking a friend or neighbour to get your shopping or arranging for a commitment to be left at your door
not sharing towels, wearing apparel, toothbrushes or razors

What yous can practice to aid yourself become better

Read our communication on treating coronavirus symptoms at home

Launder your easily regularly

Launder your easily with soap and h2o for xx seconds regularly. This will help protect you and others around you from passing on any infection. You lot tin too utilise an booze-based manus sanitiser if your easily aren't visibly dingy.

Dry your easily using a divide towel from other people.

Avert touching your eyes, nose and oral fissure.

Cover your coughs and sneezes

Cover your nose and mouth with disposable tissues when you lot cough or sneeze. If you don't have a tissue, cough into the crook of your elbow and non in your hand.

Dispose of your tissues in a disposable rubbish pocketbook and wash your easily immediately with soap and water or use a manus sanitiser.

Stay away from others

Separate yourself from other people in your habitation and keep the door closed. If you can't stay in a separate room, endeavour to stay 2 metres (iii steps) away from the other people.

Stay in a well-ventilated room with a window that can be opened. Try to go on the window open as much as possible to help with ventilation and air menstruum. This will help to keep clean air moving through your room.

Each person should:

sleep in a different bed where possible
use their own toothbrushes, towels, linen, cups, plates, bowls and cutlery
accept meals to their ain room to consume

Shared living spaces

Spend as little time equally possible in your kitchen, bathrooms and sitting areas and keep these areas well ventilated. This is especially of import if you, or your family members, are at higher risk.

If you can, use a separate bathroom from the rest of the household. If you lot share a kitchen, avoid using information technology while others are present.

If you share a toilet and bathroom wipe any surfaces you come in contact with and clean it after every apply.

Employ a dishwasher if you have one. If you don't have a dishwasher, launder your plates and cutlery using washing up liquid and warm water. And then dry out them thoroughly with a carve up tea towel.

Collecting shopping and prescriptions

If possible, enquire a friend or family member to run errands on your behalf. For example buying groceries, picking upwards prescriptions or walking your dog.

You lot can also society your shopping online, only ask them to leave items outside or by your front door. The delivery driver should non come into your dwelling house.

Pharmacies can often arrange to deliver repeat prescriptions if you run out while you remain at home. Other people can collect a prescription on your behalf.

Cleaning products

Clean all surfaces every 24-hour interval with a household cleaner that's agile against viruses and bacteria. Pay special attention to oftentimes touched areas. Usual household products like detergents and bleach are effective.

Wash your hands with soap and water later on cleaning surfaces and handling article of clothing and bedding.

Waste disposal

You tin can put personal waste matter (such as used tissues) and disposable cleaning cloths in disposable rubbish bags. These should be:

placed into another purse
tied securely
kept separate from other waste in your room
put aside for at least 72 hours before being put in your usual external household waste bin

Other household waste tin can be disposed of equally normal.

Laundry

Don't milkshake dirty laundry every bit this tin spread the virus through the air.

Launder laundry using the highest temperature setting on the label. Where possible, wash laundry separately from other people living in your household.

If you don't have a washing motorcar, expect a further iii days later your cocky-isolation menses has ended to take your laundry to a launderette.

If y'all alive with someone at higher run a risk

Family unit members at higher run a risk should spend equally little time as possible in shared spaces such as kitchens, bathrooms and sitting areas. You should keep these spaces well ventilated.

The person at college risk should, where possible:

continue 2 metres (3 steps) away from y'all and others in your household
sleep in a different bed
use a split bathroom from the rest of the household
use divide towels from the other people in your house
have their meals back to their room to eat

The balance of the household should:

clean whatever shared toilets and bathrooms every time you use them, for example wiping surfaces y'all accept come up into contact with
consider drawing upward a rota for bathing, with the college gamble person using the facilities beginning
avoid using the kitchen while they are present.
employ a dishwasher to clean and dry the family's used crockery and cutlery
wash them using your usual washing up liquid and warm water if you don't have a dishwasher
dry out all crockery and cutlery thoroughly, and use a separate tea towel if the higher risk person is using their own utensils

If you live with a higher take a chance person and it'south not possible to physically distance from them, phone the National Assist Helpline (0800 111 4000) to discuss your needs.

Late stages of pregnancy

If yous think you're in labour, phone your maternity unit of measurement and tell them you think you lot're in labour but have been cocky-isolating. They'll be able to advise yous what to do next.

We take more detailed coronavirus guidance for people who are pregnant

Breastfeeding

Read our communication on breastfeeding if you lot take coronavirus

Face up masks

If you have a carer who visits your habitation, they need to wear protective equipment to reduce the risk of infection. It's recommended you wearable a face mask too.

If necessary, your local carer'due south centre can provide protective equipment to your carer.

Find a carer heart in your area

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Source: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19/test-and-protect/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-individuals-with-possible-coronavirus-infection#:~:text=If%20you've%20tested%20positive%20in%20the%20last%2028%20days&text=If%20you're%20identified%20as,and%20book%20a%20PCR%20test.