Doilyn: WELCOME to Sangyan Podcast! today I am going to discuss with Revathi on yet, another topic in this session.

Revathi: Hey Have you heard of the Self-testing kits?

Doilyn: Yeah, but there is so much confusion regarding it. I am not sure how to use it. Or in what kind of scenario I would need to use it.

Revathi: Actually, home testing is recommended if you are symptomatic or had immediate contact with affected people.

Doilyn: But I have So much confusion. In case even 10 days after testing positive my home test still shows a positive result but with a really faded line comparatively to the 1st test

What does it mean?

Revathi: In a self-testing kit darker the line more the presence of the virus. So the faded line could have 2 possible reasons. Firstly, Maybe you had not swabbed properly like either swabbed for a lesser duration or not having taken a swab from both nostrils when it recommends doing so.

The other possibility is that the virus present in your body has reduced and that you are less infectious now.

Doilyn: Oh! that makes sense, but Revathi, how many times should I test negative to make sure that I am free of COVID?

Revathi: I understand it can be confusing “name” the recommendations in place are for people testing to see if they are positive. For testing to confirm if you are actually COVID positive people test themselves twice with a 24 to 48-hour gap. So, the same is recommended for testing negative to be on the safer side it is better to test negative twice with a 24-hour gap.

& Doilyn: I have another doubt. What if I am symptomatic and took a test and it showed a negative result but after an hour it showed positive, and when I retook tests to confirm they also came as negative. What does it indicate?

Revathi: This really does seem like an unusual situation.

The tests have to generally be read within 30 minutes, but it is still worrying if you test positive.

This could be some error due to the fact that antigen tests are not especially sensitive, What I would suggest is that you isolate yourself. And take an RT-PCR test, to confirm results and act accordingly

Doilyn: This was an enlightening conversation on home testing kits for COVID-19. I am sure it would have definitely been useful for those listening too.

Revathi: Thanks for listening. Please listen to Sangyan podcast for more information on COVID-19 and other health issues.

Source:

Coronavirus FAQ: Does a faint line on a self-test mean I'm barely contagious?