Here’s how to avoid false positives when testing your lateral flow

The LATERAL flow test is an easy and fast way to find out if you’ve had Covid-19.

Getting tested will prevent others from getting sick and will help keep us safe as measures like working from home are limited.

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While the last thing you want to show up on the test is those two little lines, experts say this can actually happen if you do the test wrong.

It is important that when you do a lateral flow test, you should always read the instructions that come with it.

You may think you’re a pro at taking the test due to frequent ear picking – but instructions may vary in different packages as some are made by different manufacturers.

A general practitioner outlined the best way to avoid false positives in a lateral flow test.

Dr. Ursula Mason explains how factors like eating or drinking before the test and not washing your hands can alter the results.

“You’re looking to get a good swab for the lining of your nose and the back of your throat and whatever you can do to improve that, then the chances are you’ll get an accurate reading of your lateral flow. you will increase.

“If you do them regularly, you’ll have the right way of doing it and so the more you do them, the more you can trust their validity and the more safe you can be yourself going out and meeting people.” “, she recounted BelfastLive.

To reduce the risk of false positives, here are the things you must make sure to do before taking the test:

• Wash your hands thoroughly before
• Blow your nose
• Avoid eating or drinking a short time before
• Follow test instructions

Experts have previously explained why the drop coke or other liquids into the lateral flow unit may result in false positives.

NHS doctors and nutritionists Dr. Joshua Wolrichexplain that the solution you put the swab in after it enters your nose/throat is called a buffer.

“It has a controlled pH that allows the test to work correctly,” he explains.

“It makes no sense to pour any other liquid without a controlled pH (tap water, coke, etc.)

“If it comes up two lines after that, that’s not proof that the test is always pointless or whatever nonsense the anti-vaxxers are claiming.

“It’s simply a visual representation that medical tests are only valid when following instructions and the pH of the solution gives you a meaningless result.”

When it comes to errors in adults, previous studies have shown that trials are over 80% effective when detecting any level of virus.

The article, published in Clinical epidemiology shows that the test detects 90% of infections when humans are most contagious.

The UK Health Security Agency also previously found that lateral flow tests were more effective at detecting Omicrons than other variants earlier.

If the test is positive, you must isolate to prevent the spread of the bug.

A string of extremely active research showed Omicron to be milder than other strains, with the first official UK report revealing the risk of hospitalization was 50 to 70% lower than Delta.

The Covid booster shots protect against Omicron and give the best chance of passing DiseaseHealth officials have repeatedly said.

Sun Jabs Army The campaign is still helping to get key complementary vaccines in the UK’s arms.