Three Things You Should Know About COVID-19 Test Kits Nowadays
COVID-19 is something that we have all been dealing with around the world for over two years, going on three. Finding home tests that you can actually get an accurate reading with has been difficult. As tests become more available and accessible, knowing a little bit more about testing can help you determine what is right for you. So, here are three things you should know about COVID-19 test kits.
PCR COVID-19 Test Kits and Rapid Tests are Not the Same
The first thing to note is that PCR tests and rapid tests that we get at home are not the same types of tests. A PCR test stands for a polymerase chain reaction test. This is a test that is far more accurate than rapid tests and can detect the virus, even if you are not actively experiencing the effects of the virus. This type of test is one that can detect the infection sooner as well. A rapid test can only detect the virus if you are actively dealing with it and once it has fully incubated.
Home COVID-19 Test Kits are More Accurate Than You Think
Home tests are more accurate than you might imagine. A home test can detect the signs of COVID once the virus has set in. Based on the current knowledge of COVID that we have, signs can appear in as little as 2 days after exposure, all the way to 14 days. This means that you need to take the time to really chart exposure if you are relying on an at-home test.
Free COVID-19 Test Kits are Available
The United States government is currently working to send tests to households across the country. The goal is to help ensure that homes across the country have tests at home in case they feel that they might have been exposed or if they might have the virus. These home tests are not that difficult to read and use and can make a big difference in the overall course of people being able to test and stay home.
It does not look like COVID-19 is going anywhere any time soon, so making sure that you have the correct testing to find out if you have been infected or not can make a big difference. Testing is getting faster and more accurate every day, making it easier to deal with this pandemic and the ability to test to see if you are infected.
