Testing has been one of the most important strategies in fighting against coronavirus since the beginning of the pandemic. Initially, medical professionals would rely on polymerase chain reaction tests (PCR) to identify the number of people affected by the virus. Although the PCR tests efficiently produced a precise measure of the presence of the virus, they had some shortcomings. PCR tests were faced with the challenge of being limited by laboratory capacity. It also took longer to get results for patients.
Lateral flow tests have revolutionized COVID-19 testing in different ways. Feel free to order lateral flow tests at COVID tests as they don’t require you to go to the lab and spend days before you can know your covid 19 status. The good thing is that they are cheaper and produce results within minutes. Join us as we delve into why lateral tests are important in helping you secure your health.
Early Detection
Lateral flow tests are the quickest and most convenient methods of detecting coronavirus infractions in individuals. You only need to wait for 15 -30 minutes as the tests do not need to be done in a laboratory facility. A rapid turnaround is significant as it ensures early detection of cases, especially for asymptomatic individuals. Studies show that as of July 2022, asymptomatic infections accounted for 40.5% percent, which was huge. Such individuals can silently infect a large number of people if not detected early enough.
Accessibility
In most countries, lateral flow tests, better known as rapid antigen tests, are widely within reach even to the general public. You can order several of them from COVID tests and use them twice a week to ensure you are always safe. The fact that they are accessible allows individuals to test themselves regularly. That greatly contributes to a more comprehensive testing strategy.
Containment of Spread
Once individuals have tested positive through the use of rapid antigen tests, they quickly get isolated to prevent them from spreading the virus. It is crucial, especially for infected people who do not show symptoms, as they can unknowingly infect others. The tests are mostly used in settings like workplaces, schools, and public gatherings to reduce the rate of transmissions.
Home Testing
Did you also know you don’t need to be a medical practitioner to use the kits? The fact that you can test yourself and your loved ones in the comfort of your home is a game changer in the war against covid 19. These tests are usually easy to administer and ease the burden on healthcare facilities as opposed to if the tests were only done in the few available laboratories.
Also, they reduce the risk of uninfected persons being exposed to the virus in the testing centers. The tests are eco-friendly, so you don’t have to worry about contamination and pollution. With the lateral flow tests, you are empowered to take responsibility for your health and that of your close contacts.
Screening for High-Risk Testing
Examples of High-risk settings include long-term care facilities that accommodate highly vulnerable populations. Lateral flow tests are highly effective for testing staff and residents in such facilities. These tests ensure that infected persons get isolated even if they don’t show symptoms of COVID-19, as they can infect others and, in the worst-case scenario, cause an outbreak.
Surveillance and Monitoring
With lateral flow tests, monitoring the virus’s prevalence in any community is easier. The authorities can easily conduct widespread testing using these tests and quickly identify hotspots and truck trends. The data they collect after mass testing helps them make informed decisions on how they will carry out public health interventions.
Compliment to PCR Testing
Whenever there is a need for rapid, widespread testing, lateral flow tests are more effective. They complement the PCR tests in such exercises because they offer fast and point-of-care results that should be used for initial assessment and screening. PCR tests alone may not be as effective as they take days to produce results, which may be too late in severe cases.
Encouraging Responsible Behavior
Lateral flow tests empower you to take responsibility for your health and that of the people around you. With the easily accessible kits, you can proactively check your covid 19 status. Due to their convenience, you can even incorporate testing into your daily routine to continuously monitor your health.
Lateral flow tests are an important tool for people with symptoms or potential exposure to the virus, maybe through working in high-risk establishments.
The tests promote early detection of people infected with the virus, especially those who are asymptomatic. Through the tests, they can promptly self-isolate and make it easy for the health officers to do contact tracing to curb the spread of the virus. Also, before attending social gatherings, lateral flow tests can be vital in reducing the risk of infections during social interactions.
Travel and Event Requirements
In most countries, it may not be possible for you to travel without proof that you have tested for covid 19. The same applies to attending events in these countries. It helps lower the risk of importing new COVID-19 cases from other places with high transmission rates.