With more and more hospitals getting fuller every month as a result of COVID-19, it is even more important to be capable to test at home to minimise the increased risk of infection. Home antigen tests have made this possible so that people can take better care of their health. Unfortunately, people can get wrong results by not following directions properly. Here are 5 common mistakes people make when using test kits at home.
Testing Too Early
Many people think they should get tested within 48 hours of somebody testing positive, but that may not be enough time for enough virus to show up on the test. If you develop symptoms, you should get tested instantly, even if you have been vaccinated.
General guidelines state that when using a self-pickup system, you should take the test between the 3rd and 5th day after exposure to someone who tests positive. It’s also important that you do not count the days of exposure; if you were exposed on a Monday, Tuesday would be the first day.
Not Wiping Properly
Most people do not swabs properly, which leads to an absence of proper collection. Swabbing must be done vigorously, scraping the mucous membranes for an accurate test result to be obtained. Throat swabs are absolutely more accurate, but most people are unable to perform throat swabs on their own.
Not Reading Directions
Each at-home test comes with a set of instructions detailing every step so that accurate results can be provided. However, some people still manage to get the test wrong. It is important to lay out all the components on a dry flat table and read the instructions several times before you start doing the test.
Giving Up After the First Test
Many people think that since their first test was negative they’re fine. However, home tests are less sensitive than tests that would be performed in a laboratory. That’s why it is vital to have more than one test available so you can do it many times to confirm whether you are truly infected or not. This is one of the numerous reasons why at-home test kits are cheaper, so people can purchase more than one.
Reading Results Too Early Or Too Late
You must wait until the desired time has passed before reading your results. If you read it too early, you will not see accurate results. If you wait too long, you may get a false positive. It is important that you set a timer and read the test when it beeps so that you know whether you are infected or not.
Using a home COVID test does not must be a difficult experience, but because it is so sensitive, it is vital to follow the directions carefully. Any mistake can offer you wrong results, and that can be frustrating. If you are concerned, please contact your medical specialist to help you perform the test yourself or have it tested on you if you aren’t sure.
