The holiday season is a time of family gatherings and parties, and many people are taking extra precautions to make sure they don’t bring the coronavirus home with them. One of the most popular ways to do this is with rapid at-home Covid tests, which allow you to test for the virus without leaving your home.
How to Make a Home Test for Covid
There are several types of at-home tests that can be used to test for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, including antigen and molecular tests. Both of these can be used to diagnose the infection and provide results within a few days.
Antigen Testing
The most common type of at-home test is an antigen test, which looks for viral antigens on a nasal swab or saliva sample. These are slightly less accurate than a molecular test, but they’re still a useful tool to use for screening.
These are especially helpful for anyone who’s unsure whether they have the virus, or if they haven’t been recently vaccinated. They can also be used to check whether a person has been in contact with an individual who is ill or recently recovered from the disease.
How to Use a Home Test for Covid
Most COVID at-home test kits will come with instructions on how to collect a nasal swab or a saliva sample. It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully, as the test can be inaccurate if you don’t do it properly. Some at-home kits include instructional videos or reference guides to help you understand how to do the test.
Using the COVID At-Home Test Kit
The test itself is very simple and easy to use. It comes with a dropper bottle and instructions on how to fill it with saliva or nasal swab. Once the liquid is in place, swirl it around the inside of your nose for 10-15 seconds. You’ll then place the swab into the test tube with the reagent solution, which will react if the SARS-CoV-2 virus is present in your sample.
Once you’ve finished the process, you’ll need to return the swab or saliva sample to the manufacturer. The company will then analyze your sample and provide you with the results.
Performing the COVID At-Home Test
A rapid at-home COVID test is easy to do, and it can be used by anyone with or without symptoms of the infection. They’re also convenient, as they can be done at home or at work.
They’re not very expensive, so they’re a great way to get a quick and easy Covid test. Just follow the directions for the test, and you can have your results back in as little as 24 hours!
Another option for at-home testing is a PCR test, which detects the presence of RNA from the SARS-CoV-2 virus. These tests are more accurate than antigen tests and can give you results within 24 to 48 hours after your sample has been sent to the lab.
