Things to avoid when using a rapid antigen test

There are things you need to know regarding rapid antigen tests. If you want your RAT kit to last long for years, you need to know some things you should not do when using this unique medical tool. Countless people out there have taken rapid antigen tests. Some have even administered it to their kids. But how many of us are using rapid antigen tests correctly?

We have received countless questions from people. Some even want to blame the medical equipment supply store they got their rapid antigen tests for covid. Even at that, from your end, do you know what you are not supposed to do with this equipment? There’s no cause for alarm. We are here to help you.

Therefore, in this article, we will explain the meaning of the rapid antigen test (RAT), and we shall explain in detail what you need to avoid when using this tool. Hence, you have a role to play. Your attention is highly needed right now. Please, pay attention. Are you ready for the ride? Let’s ride!

What is a rapid antigen test?

A rapid antigen test is a self-test used by an individual to diagnose or detect COVID-19 variants. So, the work of this tool is to tell if one has COVID in one’s body system or not. It is a self-test medical equipment that is easy to use and interpret. With this unique medical tool, you don’t need a medical expert to examine you for COVID-19. You can run this test and analyze the outcome as positive or negative.

Hence, if you’re seeing some symptoms like fever, chest pain, shortness of breath, tiredness, headache, diarrhea, a blocked or runny none, an aching body, a sore throat, and loss of appetite, then you need to run the rapid antigen test on yourself to know if you’re not having COVID. And if the result shows negative, you can now do other tests. This deadly virus is not taking it easy with us. So, it is a test that should come first.

Things to avoid when using a Rapid antigen test

Everyone needs to know how to handle this test. Have you seen people presenting the wrong result from this test? Perhaps, they didn’t know what they should and ought not to do. Therefore, here are the things to avoid when using this medical tool;

Storage: How do you store your RAT kit? Do you even know that it is wrong to keep a rapid antigen test kit in a place where the temperature is high? Of course, you don’t know. Now that you know. Please take note. Rapid antigen tests should be kept at 2-30⁰C if you want them to work perfectly. If you store this test tool at a higher temperature, you want the proteins in the test to be denatured. And if you use it like that, the result will not be pleasing.
Using RATs straight from the fridge: Now that you know you can store this test in the fridge, it is expedient to know that you can’t use them immediately after you bring them out of the refrigerator. You should at least give it thirty minutes before using it. Hence, let your RAT kit sit out of the fridge for thirty minutes before using it. You need to take note of this vital information.
Avoid using the old test: Check the use-by-date before using the rapid antigen test. If you don’t check it, you might be using an outdated RAT, which can affect the outcome. You might be positive, and it reads negative and vice versa. Then, how can you find the use-by-date? You’ll see it on the carton. Furthermore, you need to know that outdated RATs can contain either biological or chemical reagents that have gone off.

Do not be quick to open: Do not open the rapid antigen test until you’re ready. This medical tool is sensitive. It can absorb some organisms that can affect the body system if it is overexposed to the air before one uses it. Therefore, ensure that you open it when ready to use it. The result might be fake if you open it for a long time before using it. It may lead to a false positive or false negative. We hope you understand what we meant by false positive and negative results.
Please don’t assume all RATs works the same way: It is good to know some fact about what you want to use before using it. Not all rapid antigen tests need nasal swabs. Some rapid antigen tests use saliva. Honestly, this fact shouldn’t sound strange to you. There’ll be confusion if you take a RAT that uses saliva for nasal swabs.
Do not contaminate the test: Yes! You can contaminate the test if you touch the tip of the swab. It is good to follow these instructions. We have seen people using this test, and they mistakenly touch the tip of the swab. Please, don’t touch the tip of the swab. You need to understand this and don’t joke with it. What is the swab? The swab is that soft bit that’ll go into your nose. Please, take note of this.
Sampling snot: Please, you need to blow your nose gently before doing a nasal swab if you don’t want to sample snot. It is essential. Don’t be deceived. And don’t overlook this aspect.
Avoid some doings: Yes, you must avoid eating to do a saliva test. Not only that, stay away from chewing gum. Furthermore, you don’t need to brush your teeth before running the RAT (saliva test). Also, you need to avoid smoking. If you want to take a saliva test and you eat before doing it, the result might be inaccurate.

Closing thought

We cannot blame you if you’ve not been observing the above-listed point. Perhaps, you don’t know. But now that you know, will you still act as if you’re not told? Please implement what you’ve seen here. Lastly, would you like to help us share the link to this page to bless people’s lives? Please do. We’ll be glad.