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Are You Worried About the Cold Symptoms – Here’s the Covid Rapid Test

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COVID-19 is a disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus which is infectious. It was a threatening disease that spread across the world in 2019. Erupted in Wuhan city, China, the disease has spread all over the world causing fatal illness and has killed many people in different parts of the world. The disease spread is being monitored by the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO). The symptoms of Coronavirus infections are, 

  • Fever 
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath 
  • Sore throat 
  • Headache 

Testing and social distancing are so far the best way to stay away from disease. The spread of the virus across the globe in a short period is clear evidence of the risks involved. There might be asymptomatic people who are infected by the virus. Asymptomatic spread is more dangerous than the usual one as the person doesn’t show any kind of symptoms but can be a transmitter. So, it is safe to follow the WHO guidance to reduce the spread. None of us know the outbreak of the virus, so sanitizing and social isolation can at least reduce the risk of spread. 

COVID-19 can be detected at home using COVID RAPID TEST kit. These kits are called COVID-19 rapid antigen tests or RATs. They are quick to implement with minimal training and give users results within 5 to 30 minutes. The rapid test kits were found by United Kingdom’s Moonshot program that mainly focused on developing new technologies for COVID-19 testing. A lot of money has been invested in this project which is reaping results now. The growth of the COVID RAPID TEST kit is tremendous after the widespread use of rapid test kits around the world. The International market analysts have predicted an ongoing increase in demands as more individuals have started using the kit when they develop milder symptoms. 

Testing is very important to reduce the spread. Discussing the results with your healthcare provider is advisable. COVID RAPID TEST is the test performed by a person other than the individual being tested. This test can be performed in minutes and results will be available immediately. You have to get yourself tested when you have COVID-19 symptoms, you have been in close contact with an infected person, before or after travel, for screening purposes in schools, colleges, or workplaces, or when asked by a healthcare professional. 

When you take the rapid test which is more friendly as it won’t consume much of your time, you may need to take a follow-up test. This has to be done in case you show ‘positive’ in the COVID RAPID TEST. If the result is positive you have to isolate yourself for at least 5 days, wear a face mask and alert the people you were in contact with, to test themselves. A positive result in the rapid test may or may not require a further laboratory test. But staying indoors, taking precautionary steps, and following a healthy diet are recommended. 

If the result is negative, you don’t have to worry much about the symptoms. The thing you have to concentrate on is vaccination. If you are not vaccinated, it is better to stay isolated for at least 5 days and should vaccinate yourself after consulting a healthcare professional.

Steps Involved in COVID RAPID TEST

  1. Provide a fluid sample such as saliva, blood, urine, or mucous. 
  2. The sample is then mixed with a solution, to identify the activity or inactivity of a virus. 
  3. Results will be visible on either a dipstick or test tape. 

The dipstick will show color modification if the sample fluid is positive for the disease.

The rapid test tape will show a symbol or a letter identification as per the result. 

Advantages of COVID RAPID TEST

COVID RAPID TEST or Antigen test produces results faster than any other test. It yields the result in less than 5 to 30 minutes after the test. Antigen tests are less expensive and don’t need lab facilities to get tested. These rapid tests are highly beneficial in testing groups where the risk of spread is comparatively higher. 

The tests are qualitative and they can be inaccurately interpreted due to reader error. The test ensures a speedy and accurate diagnosis and the usage is CDC-approved. 

An asymptomatic person can undergo a rapid test after 2 days of exposure to the infected person. The symptomatic person can take the test when the symptoms start showing. An infected person should stay isolated at least till two consecutive negative results on alternate days. 

The good news about the COVID RAPID TEST is that it also detects Omicron. Though the test is less sensitive to Omicron, it’s preferable to test at home when there are mild symptoms. 

COVID RAPID TEST KIT

With more and more spreading of Omicron and the third wave, experts are asking to get checked at home, when symptoms occur. The immediate solution is the COVID RAPID TEST kit. These tests are quite reliable for positive results. The kit tests the live antigen in the body which helps in providing accurate results. Most of the people are either vaccinated or already infected by the virus, who might not show complete symptoms as there will be an immune response acting in the body. 

A negative result kit indicates either the absence of virus or insufficient virus to get detected on the kit. If someone senses symptoms or has been exposed to the virus and the result shows negative, the person is advised to take the test again. A further test is required to confirm that the result is not a false negative, as there are very slight chances of infection. A false-positive result does not usually happen with the COVID RAPID TEST KIT. 

Conclusion

The test doesn’t protect the infection or the transmission but helps us be precautious. The COVID RAPID TEST KIT is available in local pharmacies and online stores. The kits approved by ICMR are quite effective and accurate.