FlowFlex Antigen Test For At-Home COVID-19 Testing
The rise of COVID cases has resulted in an increasing number of individuals now adopting at-home FlowFlex antigen test kits for COVID-19, which are viewed as a crucial tool in limiting the virus’s transmission. Furthermore, the FlowFlex antigen test is an FDA-approved kit for its proven accuracy in identifying the coronavirus. It is highly important for emergency purposes and provides comfort that you are not vulnerable to the virus’s further spread, protecting your health and your family’s health.
How Does The At-Home FlowFlex Antigen Test Work?
FlowFlex antigen test is designed to identify an antigen, which is a protein located on the virus’s surfaces. This differs from PCR testing methods, which are intended to identify the molecular elements or virus’s RNA. Antigen tests provide findings in less than fifteen minutes, while PCR testing must be submitted to a health facility for examination.
When Should You Use The At-Home FlowFlex Antigen Test?
The prevailing protocol was that anyone who had been exposed to someone with COVID must be tested 3 to 5 days afterward. However, as omicron has a lower incubation time, testing should be done within two to four days following infection.
FlowFlex antigen testing is also indicated if anyone begins to experience symptoms. Moreover, the current prevalence of omicron is so high that if someone has symptoms, especially if they’ve had a high level of exposure and received negative test results with an at-home test, it isn’t a guarantee that they do not have coronavirus. In these cases, it is recommended that the negative result be followed up with a PCR testing method or that the at-home test be repeated after one day.
Meanwhile, if at-home testing yields a positive outcome, you don’t have to arrange a follow-up PCR testing to verify the diagnosis. Just notify your medical service provider that you screened positive for coronavirus.
Can I Use The FlowFlex Antigen Test For Omicron Variant?
The FDA has announced that screening for omicron may be somewhat less sensitive than screening for other types. Other testing procedures continue to be effective to a significant degree. However, if a person has coronavirus symptoms and the quick testing is negative, it is preferable to test again with a more reliable test, including a PCR test. On the other hand, using the FlowFlex antigen test for the Omicron variant gives a higher chance of an accurate result. This is because this test is primarily made for this new emerging variant and has proven reliable.
How Many COVID At-Home Tests Should I Have On Hand?
It is challenging to offer an exact figure. Still, it would be good to have testing accessible before meeting with others, especially if non-boosted or unvaccinated persons are more sensitive to severe sickness from COVID. This is particularly true in circumstances like the one we are in right now, in which the population is experiencing a high rate of infection.
How Do I Take a COVID Test At Home?
Most at-home testing kits, such as the FlowFlex antigen test, involve inserting nasal swabs into both nostrils and then subjecting the swab to several droplets of chemicals. Within 15 minutes, the results are accessible. To acquire reliable results, ensure that the test has not yet been invalidated and that you properly read the directions included in the kit.
