What is Rapid Antigen Test Kit (RAT) and How To Use It At Home?

Rapid antigen tests that identify SARS-COV-2 infections are known as COVID-19 lateral flow tests or LFTs, also known as COVID-19 rapid antigen tests. Tools such as these do not require much training and are easy to use. In addition, they are significantly cheaper than traditional COVID-19 Testing and provide results within minutes. Numerous countries use Rapid antigen Tests as part of population screening or mass Testing. Asymptomatic individuals are thought to be valuable for identifying other people who may spread the disease if they don't know they have been affected. Other types of COVID-19 Testing, such as PCR, which are more commonly used in cases of symptomatic individuals, have higher sensitivity and are more accurate for determining if the individual is infected.

Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) are often used in order to diagnose respiratory pathogens, such as influenza, SARS, and CoV-2. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the use of these Tests has proven useful for detecting infection. The person who suspects they have COVID-19 needs to learn as soon as possible whether they have been infected so that they can take the necessary precautions, like staying at home, taking treatment, and telling close family and friends. This entire process can be greatly expedited using home Test kits.

Rapid Antigen Tests at Home:

Rapid Antigen Tests are now available for home use that are easy to access but have some limitations as to how they can be used. Tests should only be administered to those who show symptoms related to the infection and to those who are in close contact with patients who have been tested positive. There should be no random Testing.

Users can perform Rapid Antigen Home Test using a RAT Kit and by downloading mobile applications from the Google Play Store and Apple Store. In the operator's manual, the steps for conducting the Test are described thoroughly. The user manual can be accessed via a picture and video link on the Test kit.

As soon as the patient has registered, the mobile application provides a guide that simplifies the process of getting the patient's test results. A photograph of the Test strip should be taken with the preinstalled app with the same mobile phone used for the Test procedure. A secure server tied to the ICMR COVID-19 Testing portal stores all the information that appears on the mobile phone without any risk of revealing patient data.

Rapid Antigen Test Results Interpretation:

True positives are not required to be reTested, as they are true positives. The ICMR and the Health Ministry recommend that everyone who Tests positive maintains home isolation.

• A positive RAT Test should be followed by a positive RTPCR Test. In some cases, negative RAT results could be the result of misinterpretation in the Testing of favorable products with low viral loads, and all those who are negative could be considered suspect of COVID-19 until the results of the RTPCR Test are finalized.
• In accordance with the user manual, the results of the Tests should be interpreted and verified.
• Following the completion of the Test, people should dispose of Test kits, swabs, and other materials according to instructions.

Below are the companies and vendors that are approved or about to be approved by the ICMR for Rapid Antigen Test Kits for Covid-19:

Final Words About Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT):

• As a result of the introduction of the Rapid Antigen Home Tests, more people who suffer from COVID-19 symptoms can be Tested for the disease and can receive results quickly so that they can take action right away to prevent the spread of the virus.
• These Rapid Antigen Home Tests come with a kit that includes a guide, instructions, pictures, and video links that help the user follow the steps to complete the Test.
• Mobile apps are required to run the Test, and this is needed so that the results can be retrieved.
• The manufacturer's instructions included in the Test kit must be followed carefully when interpreting Test results.