What is a Covid-19 Test Kit and How Does It Work?

As the world is slowly healing from the Coronavirus that has been widely spread since 2019, and a lot of vaccines have been made to counter the effects of this deadly virus, self-test kits are becoming a better way of testing your covid-19 status from the comfort of your home or office. Hospitals are overwhelmed by the number of people who are covid-19 positive and it may take a while for you to get served. Switching to self-test kits is a convenient and better way for you to know your status from home is an advisable way.

You also get to keep your 1.5 meters' social distancing policy if you can use this kit at home. Remember, the best way to avoid contracting Corona is by avoiding crowded places. You might be asking yourself, what is a test kit and how do I use it if I order lateral flow test kit? Below, you’ll find answers to your questions.

What is a self-test kit?

Also known as At-Home test kits or over–the–counter test, self-test kits for coronavirus are test kits that give rapid results upon testing and can be taken and used anywhere regardless of whether you show any covid-19 symptoms or of your vaccination status.

Unlike laboratory-based tests that take a long time to give test results even sometimes taking days, self-test kits take just a few minutes to give the test results.

They detect the current infection unlike the laboratory tests that detect antibodies that suggest a previous infection, self-test kits don't detect any antibodies, and also they don't measure and tell the level of your immunity against the coronavirus.

Regular self-testing accompanied by vaccination, physical distancing, and putting on a mask help protect you and your family by reducing the chances of person-to-person transmission of this deadly virus.

When should one take an at-home COVID-19 test?

You can take a self-test when you show signs of covid-19 immediately.
Also, you take a test in case you have been exposed to someone who is covid-19 positive at least five days after exposure. If the test gives negative results, consider testing again after a day or two after your first test.
It is also advisable to take a test before you will be attending an indoor event with people who are at greater risk of contracting the coronavirus such as older people, people who are immunocompromised, and children to ascertain whether you are negative to avoid passing the virus to them.

Main steps for conduction a rapid lateral flow test

The process contains three steps.

Before taking the swab
Taking the swab
Test completion

Before taking of the swab

Read the instructions on the package carefully and make sure you understand them

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and clean flowing water or use a hand sanitizer

Take out all the items from the package and lay them on a clean dry surface

Place the filled tube and place it on a tube holder. If your tube isn’t filled with a liquid, fill it with the provided liquid first.

Blow your nose and wash your hands the second time.

Taking the swab

If your test kit instructions require you to do a nose swab

Use the swab provided to wipe the inside of your nose as required in the instructions

If the test kit instructions require you do a throat swab

By carefully avoiding your swab from touching your tongue, teeth, or gum, open your mouth widely and rub the swab over your tonsils or where they might be.