Rapid antigen test kits have proven to be an effective and easy method of detecting the COVID-19 virus. You do not even need to go to the clinic to perform the test; you can do it at home or wherever you feel most comfortable.
The Minister of Health, Khairy Jamaluddin, announced that 62 Omicron variant cases had been detected so far, including a female from Sarawak with no recent travel history, implying a local transmission. The virus is said to be alarming, spreading faster than other variants. Due to the development of novel COVID-19 virus variants, before delta and now omicron, rapid antigen COVID-19 testing available in pharmacies, convenience stores, and online stores is in high demand.
VARIOUS BRANDS OF RAPID ANTIGEN TEST KITS
Many MDA-approved rapid test kits are on the market, including LYHER® Antigen Test Kit, Salixium-COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Rapid Test, Gmate® COVID-19. These rapid antigen test kits can cost as low as RM 7.00 to RM 19.90.
These test kits are available in three different designs: nasal, saliva, and whistling. The first type necessitates the collection of a nasal specimen, whereas the second type necessitates the supply of a saliva specimen. The newly designed whistling rapid test kit has recently become a more popular test kit among children.
The results are not always accurate indications of COVID-19 infections, despite the test only taking up to 15 minutes. For a range of reasons, individuals may receive false-positive or false-negative outcomes.
REASONS FOR FALSE-POSITIVE OR FALSE-NEGATIVE RESULTS
FOOD COULD AFFECT THE ACCURACY OF RAPID ANTIGEN TEST KIT
Acidic food like coffee, soda, or juices can compromise the results of your rapid antigen test. If you are doing a throat swab or test kit that requires a saliva sample, avoid these food. You should avoid eating or drinking 30 minutes to 1 hour before the rapid antigen COVID-19 test. It is advisable not to take the test after brushing your teeth, as it may temporarily cleanse the virus out of your mouth and result in a false negative.
STORAGE CONDITIONS AND TEMPERATURE
It is crucial to remember that storage conditions are essential, and storing the test outside these conditions can affect its accuracy. Before utilising a specific test, make sure you completely understand the temperature and storage instructions.
TIMING YOU USE THE RAPID ANTIGEN TEST
If you test yourself too early, regardless if you have COVID-19 or not, your test will come back negative. A person may test negative if there is not enough virus in the sample. This can happen in the first few days after contracting the infection. It is indeed possible that even if you have symptoms and a negative test, there was not enough virus present at the time.
INDIVIDUAL ERROR
Individual error is another major cause of a false result. We may not collect a good enough sample on the nasal swab or saliva test because we are not as trained as the healthcare professionals. Thus, reading the rapid antigen testing recommendations is critical.
There is currently insufficient data about the Omicron version. The Omicron variation stands out among COVID-19 variants due to its abnormally high number of mutations. It is critical to keep yourself and your family safe from contracting this virus at all times. It’s essential to get your symptoms checked out as soon as possible. Suppose your symptoms develop over time or the findings appear positive. In that case, the quickest way to find out is to use a rapid antigen test kit. It is easy and quick, and would save you a trip to the clinic.
Enviro Group is committed to assisting Malaysians in getting tested for the COVID-19 virus, and our latest offering, the Lyher COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test Kit, is available at RM 10.00 per test kit. It is available in two methods, saliva collection or nasal swab to collect the specimen. It is easy to use and can produce results in as little as 15 minutes, with a sensitivity of 93.33 percent and a specificity of 100 percent.
