Now a couple of years into the pandemic, new variants, shifting CDC guidelines, and a shortage of health care providers have made at-home COVID-19 rapid tests the new hot-ticket item, since they allow you to test yourself in the comfort and safety of your own space and, in doing so, can help minimize the spread of COVID-19—not to mention help cut down on wait times at testing centers. These tests can be used regardless of whether you have received your booster and both your vaccines. Breakthrough cases are possible with these at-home tests. However, not all at-home COVID-19 testing are created equal. Before you start swabbing, these are the things you need to know.
What are the different COVID-19 home tests?
A molecular test (also known as a. a PCR test—this is the one usually required for international travel. “The second test is known as an antigen test, a rapid antigen test, or a rapid test,” says Rachael Piltch-Loeb, Ph.D., associate research scientist at NYU School of Global Public Health and a preparedness fellow at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. “The rapid test detects specific proteins on the surface of the virus,” Dr. Piltch-Loeb says. Both work the exact same way. First, place the nasal swab in the nostril to collect a sample. Next, insert the swab into your test tube or strip to wait for your result.
They are so accurate!
The most common at-home COVID-19 test kits are the antigen tests. “These are pretty accurate at detecting an infectious case of COVID-19,” says Dr. Piltch-Loeb. “With the omicron variant, there have been some reports that rapid tests are missing cases of the virus in the early stages of disease. However, the tests remain a great indicator of when you are infected and able to spread the virus.”
All that to say: False negatives could be dangerous PotentiallyEven though rapid tests may not be useful in the initial days of a COVID-19-related infection, they are worth having and using. Dr. Piltch Loeb says that the omicron variant replicates so quickly that you could get a negative result in one morning and a positive in the afternoon. Consider taking two tests if you aren’t sure. “If you test positive on a rapid antigen test—especially two in a row—you are infectious and should begin your isolation,” she says. “It is not necessary to follow up a rapid result with a PCR result to confirm your positivity unless you are required by an employer or other entity.”
Where can you find an at-home COVID-19 testing?
You can buy over-the-counter tests in pharmacies. However, they are also available online. Your local health department might be able to provide free tests. The Food and Drug Administration has granted emergency authorization (EUA), to a variety of manufacturers to create and market these rapid test kits to detect SARS. Some will do the legwork for your and also share their EUA documents online.
We have gathered a variety of available COVID-19 test options for you to help you find what’s in stock. Shop them below—along with some of the best N95 face masks and the best disposable face masks.
Source: Glamour
