![]() In most cases, adults need to administer them to children aged two to fourteen years, but older kids and adults can test themselves. It’s also recommended that you test if you plan on attending a large gathering such as a wedding, and you want to ensure you don’t mistakenly infect others.Īt-home COVID-19 tests are typically designed for adult administration. If you’re experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 such as cough, runny nose, or fever, it’s better to test yourself to be sure of whether or not you have the virus. Although vaccination provides some protection from COVID-19, you can still get the disease if you’re vaccinated. So who should be taking at-home COVID-19 tests? Pretty much anyone-vaccinated as well as unvaccinated. Plus, rapid tests can be used on the go, and are suitable for administering while you’re traveling or at work. Fortunately, rapid tests allow you to test yourself for the virus without leaving your home, and you can see your results in a matter of minutes. However, getting a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test requires a lab visit that can be time-consuming and take days to get your results back. If you’ve been exposed to COVID-19 or feel symptomatic, it’s important to test yourself so you can avoid spreading the virus. Our 7 picks on this list are in stock, safe and easy to use, and are authorized by the FDA. If you have recently purchased a COVID-19 at-home test kit by SD Biosensor, Inc, it's recommended that you throw out the entire kit-do not dispose of the solution down the drain.Īfter testing 16 different at-home COVID-19 tests in our New York City lab, the recalled Pilot test was not one that we recommended. Get tested again if symptoms appear.On May 4, 2023, the FDA warned consumers to stop using Pilot COVID-19 At-Home Tests by manufacturer SD Biosensor, Inc.Īccording to the FDA announcement, there are bacterial contamination concerns regarding the testing solution in approximately 500,000 tests distributed by CVS Health and 16,000 tests distributed by Amazon. If you do not have symptoms and have not been exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19, continue to take steps to protect yourself and others, including monitoring for symptoms.If you do not have symptoms, but were exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19, you should continue to take recommended steps after exposure.Contact a healthcare provider if you have any questions about your test result or if your symptoms worsen. ![]() Take everyday preventive actions to prevent spreading an illness to others.For many diseases, including flu, early diagnosis and prompt treatment is important for preventing severe illness. You may have another viral infection or illness that you need to get tested for.You may have COVID-19, but tested before the virus was detectable.Self-tests, along with vaccination and prevention actions, can help you protect yourself and others.Ī negative COVID-19 test means the test did not detect the virus, but this doesn’t rule out that you could have an infection.You may get a PCR test as an alternative to repeat testing.Self-tests are more likely to detect the virus if you have symptoms. Take a third test, 48 hours after the second, if the second test was negative and you don’t have symptoms. FDA recommends people who get an initial negative result on an antigen test, take at least one more test 48 hours later. ![]() Although self-tests are usually faster, they are not as good at detecting the virus as PCR tests, meaning you might get a false negative result. ![]() These are different from laboratory-based PCR tests or self-collected samples that are sent to a laboratory these may take days to return your result.
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