Positive At Home Covid Test

The result of a positive COVID-19 at-home test may seem to answer a question (“Does it mean I have the virus?”), but can lead to other questions (“Now what?”). It can be helpful to understand what a positive result means, and what you should do if you experience a fever or cough, or lose your sense of smell.

Understanding the limitations of a test is equally important. Anyone with symptoms or those who have been exposed to this virus will benefit from the availability of an at-home COVID-19 fast test. A COVID-19 test at home can also give false results. The rapid antigen home tests can be a false-negative, indicating that you do not have COVID.

This article will explain how COVID-19 at-home tests work, the accuracy of these tests, and what you should do if your test is positive. The article also explains the precautions you should take even if your at-home COVID-19 tests are frequent.

Which COVID Test Is More Accurate?

You can purchase COVID at-home tests from a retail store, pharmacy or online. You can identify these tests by their FDA authorization. These tests have undergone FDA testing to ensure they are reliable.

In November 2022 there were 27 home tests that are FDA-approved and available over-the counter. The majority of these tests are antigen tests. These tests all rely on a nasal swipe from the nostrils to deliver results in 10-60 minutes. Most commonly, the timeframe is 15 to 20 minutes.

These tests at-home are different than those that you send to a lab for analysis once you have collected the sample. These PCR tests are also available in dozens, but the results take longer to arrive.

At-home tests, regardless of the type, are an excellent option for people who have COVID-19 symptoms and want to test themselves before visiting a testing center.

COVID-19 tests types

The diagnostic COVID-19 test is used to diagnose an active COVID-19 infec-tion. These tests require samples to be taken from the nose or mouth. Diagnostic tests can be divided into two categories:

PCR tests are also called molecular tests. These tests are accurate and take a long time, but are also more expensive. The gold standard is the PCR COVID-19 test. The majority of at-home PCR test require sending the sample to a laboratory, and results are usually available within 24-48 hours.
Antigen Tests also known as Rapid tests look for viral proteins and give results in minutes. They are cheaper. Antigen tests, however, are less accurate and produce more false negatives than PCR tests. A negative antigen result may require a PCR to confirm the infection.

The antibody test is another type of COVID-19 test that requires a blood sample. Self-tests cannot detect antibodies and should not be used to diagnose COVID-19.

Antibody tests can be used to determine if an infection has occurred by testing antibodies. These are proteins produced by the body and found in the bloodstream after infection.

Some antibodies may test positive in people who have been vaccinated, as their bodies also produce certain antibodies.

Does A Positive Result At Home Really Reflect The Truth?

During the cold and flu season symptoms such as nasal congestion and fatigue do not necessarily indicate COVID-19. It can be difficult to distinguish between the two illnesses because they have similar symptoms.

It can be reassuring to receive a negative result on an at-home blood test. However, certain situations or types of tests might require repeat testing. False negatives and positives are possible with all medical tests. They can reduce the accuracy of tests.

False negative tests are when the result of the test is negative, but the individual actually has COVID-19. Antigen tests are more likely to show a false negative result than PCR tests.

False negatives may occur due to incorrect specimen collection. It is important to follow the instructions on the kit. Remember that COVID-19 may contain mutations which make it impossible to detect by the test.

False positive means the test results show a positive when the person tested is not infected by COVID-19. False positive test results are rare and may be caused by a malfunction with the kit. These false positive results can occur after the person recovers from COVID-19.

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When a positive test result is obtained, it should not be assumed to be false positive.

False negatives in COVID at-home tests

The COVID-19 at-home rapid antigen test can produce a false positive result. This can happen when the viral load in your body is low. For example, if you test too soon after an exposure without symptoms. Rapid antigen tests for COVID-19 have the best accuracy if they are performed at least five to seven days after exposure. For more information, contact your healthcare provider.

What To Do After A Positive COVID Test

The COVID at-home tests are highly specific and have a low false positive rate. A positive result is not a false-positive. You should still take action to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.

You can take the following steps to protect yourself and others:

Isolate : Do not contact anyone for at least 5 days. Inform your closest contacts of the positive outcome. If you’re around other people, wear a mask that fits well. Preferably an N95 or a KN95.
Speak to a healthcare professional. They will be able to tell you more about your options. You can contact them by phone or electronic means.
Get care from your provider. Many healthcare providers now offer the option of telemedicine. This is a fantastic way to see a provider without infecting anyone else.
Share your results: Visit MakeMyTestCount.org and share your positive or negatively scored test. No personal information is required, just general details such as your zip code. This site allows public health authorities to track positive test rates and case counts.

Notifying your contacts

It’s important to let your contacts know if you get a positive result for the COVID-19 test so that they can isolate and test as necessary.

If the COVID-19 test is positive, it is possible to perform a confirmatory test. 5 In the meantime, however, you must still isolate the patient until the diagnosis has been clarified.

Positive COVID Test And Isolation

Isolation is essential to prevent the virus from spreading after a positive COVID-19 result. You should isolate yourself regardless of symptoms.

Take the following steps to isolate correctly:

You should not leave your home unless medical attention is required.
Try to keep your room and bathroom separate if you share a house.
Do not share items such as cups or towels.
If possible, improve ventilation in your house.

If you have a positive COVID-19 at-home test, you should isolate yourself for at least 5 days. You can stop the isolation if you have no symptoms, or if your symptoms improve. Continue to wear a mask for five more days. If you have a moderate or severe illness, such as shortness of breathe, isolate yourself for 10 days.

Continue isolating yourself until your symptoms improve and you have been fever-free for 24 hours.

Positive Tests and Treatment

If you test positive for COVID-19 at home, it doesn’t mean that you need to be hospitalized or receive in-person care. COVID-19 is not a common disease.

Home care includes plenty of rest and fluids to avoid dehydration.

Tylenol, Advil and Motrin are all over-the-counter medications that can reduce fevers and relieve body aches and headaches. Cold and flu medication such as expectorants and decongestants can help ease symptoms.

Keep in touch with your doctor and ask them if symptoms are getting worse or if you have any questions. Most people don’t experience severe symptoms. However, mild symptoms can initially appear and then worsen a few days later.

If you need immediate medical care, seek it immediately

Seek medical attention immediately if you have any concerning symptoms, such as chest pain, blue or gray lips or skin, or shortness of breathe.

You may be recommended certain treatment for COVID-19 if you suffer from underlying conditions which increase your risk of severe complications.

Paxlovid, for example, can be administered in an outpatient setting. It is effective in reducing hospitalizations and deaths in COVID-19 patients. Those who could benefit are: