COVID-19 Testing - Rapid Testing Guide
COVID-19 Testing - Rapid Testing Guide
Rapid Testing Guide
Rapid test are being used as an additional layer of projection in our Safe & Healthy Rams strategies to help quickly identify positive COVID-19 cases and isolate them immediately so we can keep each other safe and healthy.
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Rapid Test Usage
The QuickVue SARS Antigen test kits include 4 components:
Sterile Foam Tipped Applicator (used to perform the nasal swab)
Test strip
Reagent Solution
Reagent Tube
In your testing kits we included a two-sided document that includes the steps to perform the antigen test and the result interpretation. The process entails 4 simple steps, please read the instructions carefully and follow them as directed. Please do not wait longer than the recommended time (10-15 minutes) to read the results on the test strips because this may lead to false positives, false negatives, or invalid results.
Performing the Test &#; Nasal Swab Guidance
Results
The appearance of ONLY a blue line indicates SARS antigen was
NOT
detected or in other words a negative test result.
The appearance of any shade of a pink-to-red line AND the appearance of the blue line
together
,
indicates the presence of SARS antigen or in other word
s
a positive test result.
If after
the 10
minutes the blue line does not appear, even if any shade of pink-to-red appears, the result is invalid.
The test will need to be retaken with a new kit
.
Are you interested in learning more about rapid test strip? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!
Antigen Test FAQ
What are antigen tests?
Antigen tests, also known as rapid tests, are a type of diagnostic test that detect molecules on the surface of a virus. They are used to detect active infection, and one of their biggest advantages is that they can produce results in a matter of minutes which make them a valuable diagnostic tool specially during a pandemic.
How do antigen tests differ from other tests?
Since Antigen tests detect molecules on the surface of the virus, they are most accurate when the individual has a high viral load, which is why they are used mostly in symptomatic people. They deliver results in a matter of minutes and can be performed almost anywhere.
PCR tests are laboratory-based tests, which detect virus genetic material even from the smallest samples. They are highly sensitive and considered the gold standard for COVID-19 testing since false negatives are not common. PCR tests will always be used for campus routine testing.
How are antigen tests being used?
We will provide a rapid test if you are experiencing at least one COVID-19 related symptom, including fever/chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle/body aches, headache, new loss of taste and or smell, sore throat, congestion/runny nose, nausea/vomit, and diarrhea.
For more information on COVID-19 related symptoms please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html
What type of antigen tests are being provided by HT?
QuickVue SARS antigen tests are being provided.
Where can I pick up rapid tests?
You can pick up the rapid tests on campus with the hall coordinators and RAs.
How do I use the rapid test kit?
The test is a self-administered nasal swab. Clear instructions including a guide on how to read the test result are provided in the kit along with everything you need to do the test, and you can ask the Safe and healthy rams coordinator for guidance if you have any questions or concerns.
How long will it take to obtain my results?
You will have your results in 10 minutes.
What happens if I obtain a positive result?
Please isolate immediately and upload a picture of your result to the HT Ram check app, and send the picture to the Safe and Healthy Rams Coordinator at .
If I have any questions about the rapid tests, who can I contact?
You can find extra resources on the Safe & Healthy Rams page of the HT website. You can also access this information from the HT Ram Check App in the Rapid Test Guidance Tab.
Additionally, you can contact the Safe and Healthy Rams Office at 512.505. or at
How to do an at-home COVID-19 rapid antigen test correctly
Chances are you&#;ve seen COVID-19 rapid antigen test kits for sale in drugstores and supermarkets and online. Or perhaps you&#;ve received your free kits from the federal government, which is currently shipping one billion test kits to families around the nation. (You can order yours here.)
The rapid antigen tests give results in 15-20 minutes and are convenient. Self-testing is an important tool in efforts to stop the spread of coronavirus, along with vaccination, masking, washing hands and social distancing.
To get the most accurate result, it&#;s important to do the test properly.
&#;We get a lot of questions from families about how to do the tests and how accurate they are,&#; said Claudio Alvarado, an assistant nurse manager in the pediatric emergency department at UC Davis Children&#;s Hospital. &#;They aren&#;t difficult to do, but it is important to follow the directions carefully.&#;
In the video above and text below, Alvarado shares the steps involved in a home antigen test, including a few tips for parents helping kids through the process. He&#;s referencing an iHealth rapid antigen test, a common brand. Many tests work similarly, but there are differences, so be sure to read the manufacturer&#;s instructions.
A step-by-step guide to doing an at-home COVID-19 rapid antigen test
- Wash your hands thoroughly with warm water and soap for at least 30 seconds.
- The kit comes with two tests. Each contains three main items: a collection swab, a test strip and a small vial of liquid. Place them all on a clean surface.
- Open the collection swab and insert it into each nostril, rotating five times against the inner wall. You should insert the swab ½ to ¾ of an inch into the nostrils. &#;A good way to visualize that is it&#;s about the size of the tip of your pinkie finger,&#; Alvarado explained. &#;Though it doesn&#;t hurt, it does feel really funny.&#; Then put the swab back into its packaging; you&#;ll need it again.
- Tap the bottom of the vial of liquid three times on a hard surface.
- Open the large cap and insert your swab into the vial, then stir the swab 15 times.
- Squeeze the sides of the vial against the swab as you pull it out. &#;This is a crucial step, because it ensures that you get every last bit of the collection,&#; Alvarado noted. Then put the cap back on the vial.
- Open the test strip. &#;You&#;ll see that it has both a &#;C&#; and a &#;T,&#; Alvarado said.
- Open the smaller, top cap on the vial of liquid, then squeeze three drops of your sample into the collection area of the strip.
- Set a timer for 15 minutes. Don&#;t disturb the test strip during this time.
- Read your test.
How to interpret your at-home test kit results
After 15 minutes, you&#;ll look for two things:
- A line under the &#;C,&#; which is the control. &#;It&#;s imperative that you get a line under the &#;C.&#; It lets you know that the test is working.&#; If there&#;s no line under &#;C,&#; you&#;ll need to re-test,&#; Alvarado explained.
- If the area under the &#;T,&#; or test section, has no line at all, that means it&#;s negative for COVID-19. If there&#;s a line under the &#;T,&#; then the test is positive for COVID. &#;It doesn&#;t matter how faint or how bright the line under the &#;T&#; is, if it&#;s there, it&#;s a positive test for COVID,&#; Alvarado said.
How accurate are at-home tests?
The at-home antigen tests aren&#;t as sensitive as PCR tests. &#;However, a positive COVID home test is fairly accurate and should be taken as a positive,&#; Alvarado said. &#;But there can be false negatives if it&#;s early in an infection. If you or your child have symptoms or have been exposed to COVID, it&#;s best to maintain proper precautions and re-test within a couple of days.&#;
Learn more about the different types of COVID-19 tests.
Do at-home tests work for the omicron variant?
&#;The tests don&#;t differentiate between the different strains of COVID-19, and there&#;s no literature that shows they aren&#;t accurate with the omicron strain,&#; Alvarado said.
Tips for testing kids
At-home rapid antigen tests are not approved for kids under 2. &#;If your child under 2 is having symptoms and needs to be tested, seek out your primary care provider for a PCR test,&#; Alvarado said.
&#;When doing an at-home COVID test &#; or any test &#; on a child, it&#;s best to be honest with them,&#; he explained. &#;Be calm and tell them exactly what you&#;re doing. It&#;s also great to make it a hands-on experience. Before you open the kit, make sure you let them know what each step includes. Let them see each aspect and have a good reward ready at the end.&#;
If you want to learn more, please visit our website strep a rapid test.