COVID or flu? When is the best time to do an at-home COVID-19 test?

There was a time when getting tested for COVID was a task. Especially during the second wave of coronavirus, long queues, uncertainty, and hours of waiting for results became a norm. However, that seems to have changed now.

With widespread availability of COVID self-test kits, it has now become extremely easy for people to get themselves tested. Given that the SARs-CoV-2 virus has taken a milder turn, mimicking symptoms associated with cold or the flu, an at-home testing kit can prove very convenient.

But what exactly is a self-test COVID kit, how does it work and when should you use it?

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COVID-19 can be detected with the help of both antigen and molecular tests. While a molecular test, also known as PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) looks for the genetic material of the active virus, antigen or at-home tests detect proteins on the virus that causes COVID-19. Most people who indulge in self-testing can see their results in about 15 minutes. PCR test results on the other hand can take several hours.

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According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), if you have COVID-19 symptoms, you should test yourself immediately. If you were exposed to someone with COVID-19, you can test yourself at least 5 days after your exposure. But if you test negative for COVID-19, consider testing again 1 to 2 days after your first test, says the health body.

To use a self-test COVID kit, follow the below mentioned steps:

- Find a clean, sanitised surface to place your test kits.

- Wash your hands with soap and wipe it dry.

- Tear the COVID testing pouch and lay it down on the clean surface. Ensure that you take the test within 30 minutes after opening.

- Slowly and carefully insert the sterile nasal swab in one nostril up to 2-4 cm. Roll the swab five times in each nostril.

- Immerse the swab in the pre-filled extraction tube and break it where needed. Lastly, cover the tube with the nozzle cap.

According to the CDC, the most common symptoms of COVID-19 include:

Fever or chills

Cough

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Fatigue

Muscle or body aches

Headache

New loss of taste or smell

Sore throat

Congestion or runny nose

Nausea or vomiting

Diarrhea

With the emergence of new variants and a wave of milder infections, COVID symptoms have surely changed over time. However, we must still remain vigilant and take all necessary measures to slow down the spread of the virus.

Wearing your masks, maintaining social distance, practicing good hand hygiene and of course, getting yourself vaccinated is crucial. Whether you have COVID-19 or the flu, both are transmissible diseases, which can go on to infect others.