How To Use Covid Rapid Antigen Test: With daily figures for Omicron still eye-wateringly high, the Government is largely relying on we the public, to become the front-line worriers in the fight against the dreaded Covid-19 virus.
As we are fast becoming familiar with self-administering rapid antigen tests, as cases increase, and the kits replace PCR swabs in most situations.
RATs are unpleasant but largely painless and give you and your loved one’s peace of mind. You can even order them easily online!
ORDER RAPID ANTIGEN TEST KITS ONLINE NOW CHECK OUT >>THIS SITE<<
USE CODE THRIVE5 FOR 5% OFF!
The best way to beat Omicron is to keep tabs on your health by using the tests – if you can find them – and getting boosted – as a string of hugely positive studies show the variant is milder than other strains.
However, there are still some people out there who are doing something wrong when using RATs, which could mean they are getting back incorrect results.
Dr Nathan, an A&E doctor (Accident and Emergency) in London who has been producing helpful posts on his Instagram page to explain all about rapid antigen tests.
There are still some people out there who are doing something wrong when using RATs.
What mistakes do people make when taking their RAT?
“Failing to spot a positive test. Any positive line within 30 minutes, even if it is so faint that it is barely visible, equals a positive result,” Dr Nathan explained.
“However, if a faint line appears after 30 minutes, this can be ignored.”
How To Use Covid Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) Kits Correctly?
“Read the enclosed instructions all the way through before you start the test,” he advised.
“Don’t forget to avoid eating or drinking for at least 30 minutes before, to blow your nose and to wash your hands.”
Should you always do a swab of the throat and nose?
While PCR swabs can involve taking a sample from both your throat and nose, Dr Nathan urged users to “always follow the enclosed instructions” when it comes to taking a RAT.
“If the test advises doing a throat and nose swab, so this. If it advises a nose swab only, do this,” he said.
ORDER RAPID ANTIGEN TEST KITS ONLINE NOW CHECK OUT >>THIS SITE<<
USE CODE THRIVE5 FOR 5% OFF!
“That being said, there are some anecdotal reports of people getting a positive throat swab and a negative nose swab, and later developing symptoms and a positive PCR.”
Experts have clashed over ignoring the in-pack instructions and always swabbing the throat.
Some say it’s essential to do because Omicron can show up during the incubation period in the throat but not the nose, but others disagree.
This means that as well as people required to get a test — either because they’re a close contact or they’re symptomatic and their testing hub gives them a RAT rather than a PCR swab — concession card holders will also be able to get one for free.
A concession card holder is someone who holds either a pension concession card; Commonwealth seniors healthcare card; DVA gold, white or orange card; health care card; or low income card.
But the rules do differ — under the new scheme, concession card holders can access up to 10 free RATs over three months, with a maximum of five in a single month.
The free tests will be available to pharmacies in the next fortnight. Or so it is promised.
“You would go along to the chemist, they will give you one and then they will take your details,” Mr Morrison announced on Wednesday.
“They will obviously get your concession card details … and there will be a rebate system that works back to the pharmacy.”
One of our clients Testdirect.com.au have secured a large volume of TGA approved RAT test kit and are offering them to you our valued readers at a special discount offer of 5% of each order.
Use the link below to order your supply of the much-needed RAT Kits.
ORDER RAPID ANTIGEN TEST KITS ONLINE NOW CHECK OUT >>THIS SITE<<
USE CODE THRIVE5 FOR 5% OFF!
You must register your result with Service NSW if you tested positive using a COVID-19 rapid antigen test in another state or territory and have returned home to NSW to self-isolate. You do not need to register if you’ve had: a negative or invalid rapid antigen test result.
You can register a positive test result for yourself, another adult or a child. Each result needs to be reported separately.
You do not need to register if you’ve:
- had a negative or invalid rapid antigen test result
- had a positive PCR test in the 28 days before your positive rapid antigen test
- already reported a positive rapid antigen test in the last 28 days on the Service NSW mobile app or website.
Note: If you develop severe chest pain, fainting episodes or severe difficulty breathing, call Triple Zero (000) straight away and tell the ambulance staff that you have been diagnosed with COVID-19.
If you’re a close contact, you must get a RAT on day six of your isolation. You can get that for free at a testing centre.
In the same vein, if you’re symptomatic and attend a testing centre, you may also be given a free RAT.
Close contacts and symptomatic people have been urged to seek out resources from testing hubs, rather than pharmacies or supermarkets.
Article by Mike Canavan and The Sun
