Know More About At-Home COVID-19 Tests

INTRODUCTION

With the rise in the number of cases of COVID-19 around the globe, courtesy of the omicron variant, it is natural for one to be concerned when it comes to traveling or attending gatherings, even for people who have been vaccinated with two doses of the vaccine. At-home COVID-19 tests are basically for people looking for somewhat immediate results on their COVID-19 infection status. However, several types of tests are available in the market, with each one offering something slightly different.

TYPES OF AT-HOME COVID-19 TESTS

The type of at-home COVID-19 test one may choose depends on the purpose. At the same time, most over-the-counter COVID-19 tests provide rapid results. The majority of these tests are antigen tests. Although these tests are sufficient before attending an indoor event, they may not be enough to travel.

While most at-home COVID-19 test kits would include nasal swabs, you might encounter some that test a saliva sample. Still, both tests can be considered viable at-home testing options.

HOW DO AT-HOME COVID-19 TESTS WORK?

At-home COVID-19 tests contain antibodies that resemble a critical protein present in COVID-19. When one swabs their nostril with the supplied swab and applies the sample to the test strip, lateral flow tech moves the sample fluid over the antibodies on the test strip.

When looking for an at-home COVID-19 test, keep an eye on the swab method (whether it's oral or nasal) and the resulting speed. Additionally, pay attention to the time frame of your symptoms and the potential exposure.

HOW ACCURATE ARE AT-HOME COVID-19 TESTS?

According to many physicians, rapid tests are more accurate when an individual starts inhibiting the symptoms of COVID-19. Whereas PCR tests can detect lower infection levels in the body, they are comparatively more precise for asymptomatic cases.

After researching dozens of at-home COVID-19 test kits and evaluating them according to the test type, swab type, result speed, and pricing, each of the tests chosen in this article was determined to be the best of these factors.

Here's a list of the best at-home COVID-19 test kits on the market these days:

1. FlowflexCOVID-19 Antigen Home Test Kit

The Flowflex COVID-19 Antigen Home Test is all one needs to determine their family's COVID-19 status, authorized by the FDA for Emergency Use Authorization. This test is safe for children as young as two years old. It is versatile and comes with a test cassette, extraction buffer tube, nasal swab, and a package insert. It takes around 15 minutes to give results, and as a plus, it doesn't come with any software application for people who don't want any frills and want a simple positive or negative result. It is designed to keep in mind that if someone regularly tests themselves, they'll likely look forward to something that does not blow their budget out of the water. Through the Flowflex COVID-19 Antigen Home test kit, you could easily check yourself against viruses. It is a convenient way which tests ourselves before going to work, travel, and so on.

2. iHealthCOVID-19 Antigen Home Test Kit

The iHealth COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test is authorized by FDA under Emergency Use Authorization. It is an easy-to-use test that enables the user to ascertain if they are carrying in about fifteen minutes. The test can be carried out with the help of a non-invasive ½ inch or ¾ inch nasal swab. This self-administered test is recommended for individuals aged 15 years or older. Adult administration is recommended for testing 2-year-old to 14-year-old children. This test comes with optional mobile application support to monitor and happen to track tests for a group to monitor multiple test results simultaneously. It acts as an effective as well as an easy way to keep ourselves safe. If you are sensing some symptoms of COVID-19, it is an affordable and efficient way to test yourself. With this iHealth COVID-19 Antigen Home test kit, you can get quick results so you can contact your primary care provider as soon as possible. Tests are conducted using an absorbent swab that is individually sealed so that results can be trusted.

CAN AT-HOME RAPID COVID TESTS MAKE GATHERINGS SAFER FOR BUSINESS/OFFICE?

Testing people on the door keeps the business/office safer, keeps them open, and makes the employees feel safer working. When dealing with a deadly virus like the COVID-19 and its variants is the new normal, planning a gathering or even calling the employees back to the office might seem dangerous. Still, it would improve the office's workflow, and although there isn't a percent guarantee that this at-home COVID-19 to call it particularly "safe." But using these could add to the sense of safety and help identify if someone is a virus carrier. If appropriately implemented, this could make the office environment safer and help normalize things to how they used to be in the pre-COVID days. It is advisable for people who are showing symptoms to conduct the at-home tests but also consider taking the extra mile and getting an additional PCR test to check if they are carrying the virus or not.

CONCLUSION:

To conclude this, if one is looking for quick results, an at-home testing kit can always give you peace of mind. Although, it is recommended to follow up a negative antigen test result if one still has symptoms similar to that of COVID-19 infection. The availability of these at-home COVID-19 tests depends mainly on where you live. Some states and cities offer tests for pickup for community or health centers. One can even request them for mail delivery in some cases. These effective tests can help businesses/offices to stay open and help plan a safe gathering in a slightly less crowded indoor event. Along with at-home testing, there are other ways that we all need to keep in mind and practice regularly to help prevent the spread of this virus and stop it from wrecking any more damage than it has already caused:

• Get vaccinated
• Wear a mask
• Maintain social distancing
• Isolate yourself if you show symptoms of the infection