Don't Take Chances: How To Get Accurate Results With At-Home Covid Tests

If you need to do rapid covid testing for work, at-home tests might be your best option. One of the great things about rapid tests is that you don't need to go to a testing center. You can use rapid testing kits anywhere. But, you do need to follow the right steps when taking your at-home covid tests. Mistakes in the process could leave you with inaccurate test results. If you've never taken at-home rapid covid tests, read the list provided below. Here are four steps that will help you avoid inaccurate test results with your at-home rapid covid tests. 

Use the Right Covid Tests

When it comes to testing for covid at home, you want to make sure you take the right tests. Using wrong covid tests could give you an inaccurate result. First, make sure that the tests you choose are FDA approved. That way, you know you're using a reliable covid test. Next, make sure that the at-home tests you're using are the most recent products. The newer at-home testing kits are designed to detect all the recent variants of the virus. This includes the omicron variant and the BA.5 variant. If you do have one of the newer variants, an older test might not detect the virus. 

Check the Expiration Date

If you're going to use at-home rapid covid tests, be sure to check the expiration dates. Depending on where you buy your covid tests, you could end up with one that's already expired. Unfortunately, expired covid tests might not provide the most accurate results. To ensure accuracy, check the expiration date before you buy your tests. You can also go directly to the pharmacy. That way, you know you're getting an up-to-date at-home covid test. 

Read the Instructions First

If you need to do at-home testing for covid, be sure to read the instructions first. This is important, even if you've taken at-home tests before. The instructions will provide you with a step-by-step guide for taking your at-home covid test. For an added precaution, be sure to read the instructions before you remove any of the testing materials. That way, they don't get contaminated while you're reading the instructions. 

Use the Enclosed Materials

If you're ready to take your at-home covid test, use the enclosed materials. This is especially important where the cotton swab is concerned. You might think you can use any cotton swab, but that's not the case. Ordinary cotton swabs might not be sanitary. Unfortunately, that means you could end up with inaccurate test results. Not only that, but you could infect your nostrils. To avoid those risks, always use the materials that come with your covid tests.