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Nowadays, many people have chosen the method of self-testing for Covid at home for easy health monitoring. Do you know what not to do when self-testing for Covid? Read on to find out from Media Mart.
1. Things to Avoid When Self-Testing for Covid at Home
Using directly after removing from the refrigerator
You may not know this, but the test substance is sensitive to refrigerator temperatures. Store the testing kit at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes.
Opening the product prematurely
Opening the test tray too soon
Sample contamination with blood
A sample with blood on the swab may yield inaccurate results. Discard and retry the test if bleeding has stopped or use a non-bleeding sample.
If you experience a nosebleed, refrain from the requested nasal swab test. Saliva testing can be an alternative.
Incorrect angle or depth of sampling
You might have inserted the swab at the wrong angle or depth. Correct this by gently inserting the swab horizontally into the nostril about 2 to 3 cm deep. Then, rotate the swab gently to sample from the nasal wall as recommended.
Contaminating the product
Avoid touching the cotton swab with your fingers and prevent it from coming into contact with other surfaces to avoid contaminating the device.
Performing the test too early or too late
A study suggests that rapid antigen tests may not detect SARS-CoV-2 immediately. Typically, it takes an average of 3 days to determine whether the test is positive or not. Moreover, prolonged exposure may also prevent the device from detecting the virus.
Improper temperature storage
Rapid test kits should ideally be stored at temperatures between 2 and 30 degrees Celsius, in a cool, ventilated environment, away from direct sunlight. Storing the device at higher temperatures may alter the structure and integrity of the proteins in the test, leading to denaturation. Therefore, freezing the product should be avoided to prevent any adverse effects on its components.
Using too little or too much buffer solution
Be sure to read the instructions carefully and add the correct number of drops as required for the liquid to move across the test surface within a specific timeframe. This ensures accurate results.
Improper disposal of testing equipment
Seal the components of the testing kit that have come into contact with your nasal or saliva fluids in a plastic bag, then dispose of them in the trash can.
Inaccurate result reading time
Reading the results too early or too late may lead to false positive or false negative results. It's important to read the results within the specified time frame provided in the instructions to obtain the most accurate information.
Using expired products
Always remember to check the expiration date before using any product. Most expired products contain inactive or denatured biochemical or chemical agents.
Here are things to avoid when you self-test for Covid at home to achieve accurate, quick results. Don't forget to follow Media Mart for the latest, most useful updates.
