At-home COVID-19 tests, also known as rapid antigen tests, are convenient and accessible, and now, U.S. households can once again order four free tests. But be careful. The test results can be wrong. Learn when and how to use the tests.
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Free at-home COVID-19 tests are available again. How and when should you use them?
Millions of people living in the U.S. have ordered free at-home COVID-19 tests in the past, and by the end of September, , each U.S. household will once again be able to order four free tests.
Ordering the tests takes less than a minute. You simply visit the popular covid.gov/tests website. Then you fill in your address, and the free at-home COVID-19 tests should arrive within a week or two. For now, each household in the U.S. is entitled to four free at-home COVID-19 tests. People living in disadvantaged or lower-income communities should be able to get more free COVID tests.
Easy, right?
Well, ordering the tests is quick and easy. But figuring out when and how to use them or how to understand your results isn't always simple. That's because at-home COVID-19 tests ' also known as rapid antigen tests ' are not as accurate as the more reliable nasal swab PCR tests you can get at your doctor's office. PCR stands for polymerase chain reaction. (Learn more about getting PCR tests.)
The appeal of at-home COVID-19 tests is their convenience and accessibility. You can take the test at home (hence the name), and you can get a result within about 15 minutes. But it's important to be cautious about rapid, at-home test results and how to use them. If you get a positive result, the test is likely accurate. If you get a negative result but are sick, you may still have COVID-19.
To help you understand what at-home COVID-19 tests are and how to interpret any results you get, we spoke with Dr. Michelle Barron, senior medical director of infection prevention and control for UCHealth and a professor of medicine and infectious diseases at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.
The at-home tests detect proteins in the virus that causes COVID-19. These proteins are called antigens and that's why at-home rapid tests are known as antigen tests or rapid tests. They do not have to be sent to labs in order to get results. Usually, people can see their results in about 15 minutes. PCR tests, on the other hand, test for the genetic material of the active virus. The samples from these tests need to be analyzed in labs. That takes several hours and up to a couple of days, depending on how busy the labs are.
At-home tests are accurate about 80% of the time. While 80% sounds decent for a grade on an algebra test, it's not perfect for a COVID-19 test. It means that 20% of the time ' or 1 in 5 times to drive the math home ' when a person is infected with COVID-19, the test is not picking up evidence of the virus. This is known as a false negative result. And, if people use false negative results from rapid at-home tests incorrectly, they can endanger high-risk individuals like older adults, people with cancer or those with compromised immune systems.
That's why Barron and other medical experts are urging people to be cautious about the tests.
that a rapid, at-home test is accurate if you are feeling sick and you get a negative result.
that a rapid, at-home test is accurate if you have been in close contact with someone who has received a positive COVID-19 test result, and you are feeling sick. If you were in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, and you have any symptoms, it's highly likely that you have COVID-19.
that a positive result from an at-home test is accurate. If your rapid antigen test says you have COVID-19, you probably do. False positive results are not very common with at-home COVID-19 tests, Barron says.
'Use your common sense,' Barron says. 'Do not use a negative result with an at-home test as a free pass to go out if you have symptoms. If you have a sore throat, a runny nose, a headache or any of the other symptoms of COVID-19 and you get a negative test result, you probably have COVID-19, and the test is missing it.'
Barron encourages people to continue using safety protocols that have worked since the pandemic began. If you feel sick, be conscientious and kind. If you have symptoms of an illness, whether you think it's COVID-19, the flu or just a cold, stay home and don't infect others. People who are sick should not show up at work, go to the gym, fly on a plane or attend a social gathering.
Yes. A positive result on an at-home COVID-19 test is likely accurate.
No. If you test positive, you can assume you have COVID-19.
If you are experiencing any severe symptoms like difficulty breathing, call 911 immediately for help.
If you don't have severe symptoms, you should isolate yourself at home, stay hydrated and
use over-the-counter medications if you need them
.
If you are older, immunocompromised, pregnant or in another high-risk group, and you get a positive test result on an at-home test, contact your medical provider right away.
At-home COVID-19 tests produce a high percentage of false negative results because they are less sensitive than PCR tests. PCR tests are accurate nearly 99% of the time. Antigen tests don't pick up all COVID-19 infections, but timing is also important. People sometimes test negative because they take the rapid at-home test too soon during the course of their illness. Or, it's possible that they are not correctly swabbing themselves.
Follow the instructions on your at-home test. Typically, at-home tests require people to swab their noses to get a sample. Since at-home COVID-19 tests have been in short supply around the U.S., there have been reports of families sharing a single at-home test. Do not do this. The tests won't work, and it's unsanitary to use a single swab on multiple people.
Yes. The rapid tests do expire. But some of the expiration dates have been extended. Check out additional information about expiration dates for at-home COVID-19 tests.
If you do not have symptoms, wait about five days before taking an at-home test.
If you do have symptoms and you were exposed to someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19, you can assume you also have the illness since it's so contagious and omicron is so widespread. If you are assuming you have COVID-19, isolate yourself so you don't spread the illness.
'Wait at least 72 hours and ideally five days to get tested unless you have symptoms,' Barron said.
The reason she recommends waiting to take a test (unless you have symptoms) is because tests can't immediately pick up COVID-19 infections.
'Say I had COVID-19, and I coughed on you. You're not suddenly going to be positive in an hour. With omicron, the infection ramps up more quickly. But, it's not overnight. It still takes a couple of days,' Barron said.
If you have symptoms, you can go ahead and get a test or simply assume you have COVID-19 and behave accordingly.
'If you have symptoms, you are more likely to have COVID-19 than anything else,' Barron said.
People who are at high risk for suffering from severe consequences if they get COVID-19 should get tested. Other people may need to get tested for their jobs, school or before taking a trip.
People who are having medical procedures sometimes need to get a COVID-19 test.
People with common symptoms of COVID-19 may want to get tested. By now, the symptoms of the illness are quite familiar. They include the following: fever, shortness of breath, a new cough, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting or diarrhea. Of course, these symptoms are also similar to the flu.
In general, if you are sick, stay home and don't spread your illness to others. If you need to confirm whether or not you have COVID-19, use a rapid test or call your doctor's office.
If you're having a family birthday party, and an older relative will be there, the first step is to ensure that everyone who is coming is fully vaccinated. Learn more about getting your new COVID-19 vaccine this fall.
Then, you need to discuss in advance if anyone is feeling sick. Anyone who has any symptoms of illness should not attend any kind of gathering. COVID-19 rates could climb this fall and winter as they have in past years.
If you're hosting a smaller gathering of vaccinated people, after screening out those who are sick, you could consider having everyone take a rapid test before coming to the party. But, it's important to know that the results won't guarantee that every guest is negative for COVID-19. And, you shouldn't use those results to determine whether or not it makes sense to have someone vulnerable attend the party. You have to weigh potential risks and decide what makes sense
Barron cites an example from her family. About two days after getting together with her parents, a relative tested positive for COVID-19. The family members all were vaccinated and had been wearing masks at a public event. Barron's parents asked whether they should get tested right away. Barron encouraged family members to monitor for symptoms and wait at least 48 hours to get tested. If the family members took a rapid at-home test and got a positive test result, that meant they had COVID-19. But, a negative result on a home test did not mean they didn't have it.
In the meantime, she encouraged her parents to skip activities that involved large groups.
'You don't want to go to the YMCA and do a dance class with a bunch of older people,' Barron said.
About five days after exposure or if they had developed symptoms, it would make sense to get tested, preferably with a PCR test, Barron said.
One of the biggest potential benefits of rapid, at-home tests is accessibility, Barron said.
It's much easier to stay home and take a test rather than go to a doctor's office. At-home tests are also great for people who live in rural or remote areas.
Having tests mailed directly to every address in the U.S. is a great convenience for many people. Four tests won't last long for each household. And people should be aware that false negative results are common.
'Use the tests wisely. Know the limitations of what they can and can't do,' Barron said.
Yes. All COVID-19 tests can only give results that amount to a snapshot in time.
That's why it makes sense to wait to take a test either until you have symptoms or until about five days after you've been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Taking a test immediately after exposure doesn't do much good.
'You're just trying to reassure yourself without actually reassuring yourself,' Barron said.
People who are serving overseas in the military and the diplomatic corps can get the four free at-home tests. Those living in U.S. territories are also eligible.
As the old saying goes, 'You'll get what you get.' With the federal program, you won't be able to select a brand for the free tests that you receive. But all of the rapid antigen tests that federal officials will be shipping are fully authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or FDA.
Workers with the U.S. Postal Service will be delivering the four free tests to U.S. households. The tests are slated to arrive about 7 to 12 days after you place your order.
COVID-19 diagnostic testing shows current infection with the virus that causes coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the following types of tests for diagnosing COVID-19.
These tests look for genetic material from the COVID-19 virus.
Polymerase chain reaction tests, shortened to PCR tests, are molecular tests. The lab technique used is called reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, shortened to RT-PCR. You also may see this type of test called an NAAT test, short for nucleic acid amplification test.
PCR tests are more accurate than the other type of COVID-19 test, called an antigen test. PCR tests may be done at home. But they are more likely to be done by a healthcare professional and processed in a lab.
These tests look for viral proteins called antigens.
Antigen tests also may be called rapid COVID-19 tests or at-home COVID-19 tests. These tests give a quick result.
Are you interested in learning more about How Accurate is a Covid-19 Antigen Test? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!
Antigen tests are accurate, but they are less accurate than PCR tests. This is especially true if you don't have symptoms. If you take an antigen test and are negative for COVID-19, take another antigen test after 48 hours to check the results.
An RT-PCR test called the Flu SC2 Multiplex Assay can show any of three viruses at the same time: the COVID-19 virus, influenza A and influenza B. Only a single sample is needed to check for all three viruses.
This test has the same risks of false results as do other COVID-19 tests.
In the U.S., you might need a COVID-19 diagnostic test if:
Testing before you plan to be with someone who has a high risk of serious illness from COVID-19 helps prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
If you've had COVID-19 in the last 30 days and don't have symptoms, you might not need to test even if tests are suggested.
Some people who have COVID-19 don't have symptoms, called asymptomatic. But they can still spread the virus to others. People with no symptoms can be tested.
If people with no symptoms have a positive test result, they should follow guidelines for staying away from others. This helps keep the virus from spreading.
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A COVID-19 diagnostic test can have a false-negative result. This means that the test didn't show you have the virus even though you do. You risk spreading the virus to others if you don't take care, such as wearing a face mask, when you're near other people.
The FDA requires that rapid antigen diagnostic tests catch at least 80% of infections. To lower the risk of false-negative results, the FDA recommends testing more than once.
Rarely, COVID-19 rapid antigen tests can give false-positive results.
False-positive results mean the test results show that you have the virus when you don't. A false-positive is rare and thought to happen in less than 1% of results.
In some cases, a false-positive result could be caused by a manufacturing error. Early evidence suggests that this result may be more common in people with a history of autoimmune disease.
Don't use at-home COVID-19 tests that the FDA has not cleared for use. They may give the wrong results.
In the United States, at-home COVID-19 tests are available. You can buy tests in stores, pharmacies or online. It's useful to have tests before you need them. And it's good to have more than one test in case you need to repeat the test.
The FDA approves COVID-19 tests. On the FDA website, you can find a list of approved tests and when they expire. COVID-19 tests also are available from healthcare professionals, some pharmacies and clinics, or at community testing sites.
When taking a test at home, read the directions that come with the test carefully. Follow the instructions exactly to get as accurate a result as possible.
If you go somewhere to get tested, wear a face mask. Wear a mask even if you don't have symptoms.
COVID-19 tests use a sample of mucus from your nose or throat or a sample of saliva. You might collect the sample yourself for an at-home test. Or a healthcare professional might collect the sample.
A healthcare provider also may test for other illnesses, such as the flu, that have similar symptoms and that you may have.
The purpose of this video is to help children get ready for a COVID-19 nasal swab test. Knowing what to expect may help ease any fears they may have. When children know about the medical test they're about to take, the test is easier for them to take. Children as young as 4 years old can watch this video.
Disclaimer: This material is for your education and information only. This content does not replace medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. New medical research may chance this information. If you have questions about a medical condition, always talk with your health care provider.
Jennifer Rodemeyer, Child Life Program Manager, Mayo Clinic: Hi, I'm Jennifer and I am a child life specialist at Mayo Clinic. My job is to help kids like you prepare for medical tests.
You may have heard there is a virus going around that can make people feel sick. A virus is a germ and it is so tiny you can't even see it.
Some people who get this virus can have a fever or a cough and may feel achy and tired, while some people can have this virus and not feel sick at all. People may get this virus from touching things. That's why it's important to wash your hands often with soap and water. The virus also can spread through a cough or a sneeze. So it's important to always cover your cough or sneeze.
Today, even though you may or may not be feeling sick, we will need to give you a test so we know how to best proceed with your medical care. This medical test will tell us if you have the virus.
When you go to take your test, the health care provider will wear special protective clothing. They wear this clothing to keep themselves and you safe from getting germs. They will wear a mask to cover their nose and mouth and a clear plastic shield to protect their eyes.
The most important thing you can do during your test is to sit perfectly still like a statue. To help make sure you don't move, your parent or caregiver will help keep you still and calm during your test. The health care provider needs to touch the inside of the back of your nose with a long, skinny Q-tip. To do this, you need to hold your chin up, then the health care provider will put the Q-tip in your nose for a short time to collect a sample.
While this happens you may feel like you want to push the Q-tip away, but it's really important to stay as still as possible so the health care provider can finish the test. The Q-tip will be in and out of your nose in a few seconds.
Some kids tell me that counting to 3 or taking a deep breath relaxes them before the test happens, and some tell me they like to hold on to their favorite stuffed animal or blanket. Maybe you have your own way to relax.
Remember that during the test, the most important thing to do is to keep your body perfectly still.
You may have many feelings seeing the health care provider wearing different clothing, but know this person is caring and wants to help you.
Thank you for helping us get this test done, so we know how to proceed with your medical care.
Your COVID-19 diagnostic test result could be positive or negative.
This means that you have an infection with the virus that causes COVID-19. Positive test results most often are correct, even if you have no symptoms. You can spread the virus to others even if you have no symptoms.
You'll need to stay away from other people, including others in your home who aren't sick. You can go back to your daily activities when your symptoms have been getting better for at least 24 hours and it's been 24 hours since you've had a fever without taking medicines that lower fevers.
You might still be able to spread the virus even though you feel better. To prevent spreading the virus, wear a mask for five more days. Keep your distance from others. Take another home COVID-19 test if you plan to be around others indoors.
If you get a fever or start to feel worse again, start over with staying home and staying away from others. Repeat the cycle of instructions.
If you have severe symptoms of COVID-19 or a health condition that lowers your ability to fight disease, your healthcare professional may tell you to stay away from other people longer than five days.
This means that you likely don't have an infection with the COVID-19 virus. But you may have a false-negative test result. If you have symptoms or were around someone who had COVID-19, stay away from others.
Even if you don't have symptoms, test again after 48 hours. If it's still negative, and you think you have COVID, you can test a third time after another 48 hours. Or you can get a molecular test or call your healthcare professional.
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