Rapid Antigen Test : Details and Tips

With COVID-19 rapidly spreading across the globe, it's more important than ever to check that you are immune.

A Rapid Antigen Test can tell your results in just 15 minutes without the need for expensive equipment or specialist knowledge! 

These tests work by measuring how much protein an infection has left behind - meaning they're better at picking up new cases who haven't yet been vaccinated against the virus.

WHAT IS A RAPID ANTIGEN TEST?

Unlike the SARS-CoV virus, which has been found in vaccines and can be passed from person to person through close contact with an infected individual who may not even know they're carriers. The rapid test detects proteins from this new strain of CoVID at home using nasal swabs or saliva samples collected. One does not need any trained professionals present to collect the sample right away. Thus making it possible for more people impacted by the virus to get tested quickly so that fewer lives could potentially depend on having access to timely healthcare.

There are two essential things to keep in mind about rapid antigen tests.

•  First, they aren't as reliable and will give false negatives or positives depending on what you're testing for (COVID-19). 

• Second, there's an increased chance of getting a negative result if done during symptom onset hours compared with later stages after an infection has developed. The accuracy improves whenever possible because blood samples taken earlier can tell us more information than those collected later when everything might already be.

WHY USE RAPID ANTIGEN TEST AUSTRALIA?

Rapid testing for COVID-19 is a great option if you want to check whether or not you have the virus quickly. 

At family gatherings where many elderly relatives are attending and could be vulnerable to the virus due to their age or health condition. At those times, we must keep them safe from infection by ensuring everyone involved knows how to protect themselves with proper precautions.

HOW TO PERFORM THE TEST?

We all know that tests come with instructions. You must follow them perfectly for the test result to come out accurately. 

For example, if you were testing whether or not someone was pregnant, then their symptoms would likely change drastically once again depending on whether they successfully achieved pregnancy, so careful observation is vital!

TIPS FOR ACCURATE RESULT

When using the rapid antigen test, it is essential to follow these tips.

•  First of all, you should check its expiry date and don't use an expired kit or one kept at room temperature for more than 30 minutes. Before taking off your desired option, depending on what type of nasal swab will be needed, blowing one's self-collecting saliva, in some cases eating for a 10 minute period when not doing so can cause errors, so plan!

• When taking a sample, make sure that you avoid contaminating it. You may be asked to clean up any spills and prepare your flat surface before starting; wash or sanitize hands thoroughly with soap - drying them properly will also help reduce the risk of cross-contamination!

•  Always use gloves when handling tests, not to touch anything near where chemicals would be applied (such as the nose).

• Take the sample as directed and follow these instructions precisely. For example, with a nasal swab, you will be asked to insert it 2cm deep into each nostril five times, rotating your arms five turns each time before removing it. 

Once collected, put drops of chemical solution onto the indicator device, which should show results within 20 minutes; after this period has passed, results may no longer change, so use them accordingly!