Originally Posted by
mastertrust
I have been told by my internal medicine DR that I could test positive with an antigen test for at least 60 days after my original positive test, even longer for the more sensitive PCR. My Dr. crafted a recovery letter after 5 days with no fever. Double-check with your medical provider on their timeframe for the recovery letter because its very unlikely she will get a negative test anytime soon.
Most of the information we've come across is that a recovery letter can be provided without further testing (and regardless of any test results) at 10 days after the original positive test. My wife is planning on reaching out to her doctor on Monday morning to check her options.
Originally Posted by
RichieMc
You CAN get positive tests well after infection. But it is mind bogglingly unlikely. If it happened regularly, there would be posts all over this forum. I had a positive test over Christmas and 5 days later I took my fit to fly PCR test and it was negative. And I was pretty sick on days 1, 2 and 3. Can’t guarantee she’ll be negative, but there’s a good chance. And a way better chance than still giving positive result after 60 days. So maybe wait until your day before test comes back before cancelling anything.
Yeah, it definitely seems to be random, with the extended positive tests being the exception versus the norm. Though there seems to be no "norm" out there either! I have no plans to cancel until Tuesday night.
Originally Posted by
FlyingEgghead
Yes, see
here:
Quote:
Fortunately, American Airlines policy actually does allow for travel changes within 7 days in the event a passenger is ineligible to travel due to inability to meet pandemic rules (‘DHTV policy’ covering ‘implemented document health travel restrictions’).
Thanks for sharing. I believe in the article (and the related twitter discussion thread) they were talking more about people being stuck overseas due to a positive test right before returning to the US. There didn't seem to be any reference to scenarios of people not being able to initiate their outbound travel to an international destination with testing requirements. Even if the mentioned policy in the article of one allowed change could be applied to outbound travel, what happens then if I catch it while we're in Indonesia and we need another change to return back home? My guess would be that this policy applies only to re-entry to the US (though it is just a guess). If anyone has different information, I'd definitely appreciate it.
Originally Posted by
awayIgo
Does Indonesia allow entry to individuals with a certificate or letter of Recovery AND proof of an earlier positive test. You need to check it out - a year on the Indonesia forum of Trip Advisor - just an idea.
Yes, as [MENTION=126287]IggySD[/MENTION] mentioned, a recovery letter (with positive test attached, dated within 30 days of travel) is accepted in lieu of a negative PCR test. But if we can't get that letter at 5 days (or her last minute PCR test still comes back positive), we'd have to cancel. And I wonder how the Indonesian passport control officer would react to a recovery letter issued only 5 days from the positive test (we'll be entering Indonesia 8 days after that original positive test). FWIW, a home antigen test she took today still came out positive, though she only had fever for about the first day (she started feeling better after starting to take the Covid pills).
Right now, I think that everything hinges on either a doctor giving her a recovery letter at 5 days or her getting a negative PCR test on Tuesday. And while she's feeling better already, there's still a difference between "better" and "well enough for a 35+ hour journey"! Keeping our fingers crossed! Thanks to everyone for trying to help.