Some manufacturers have either extended expiration dates for the tests or recalled ineffective ones.
If youre using an expired test, double-check the control line shows up, Ostrosky added.
Manufacturers may extend expiration dates after the tests initially hit the market.
Photo Illustration by Joules Garcia for Verywell Health; Getty Images
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) maintainsa listof COVID at-home tests with extended expiration dates.
If your test result shows up as positive on an expired test, youre likely positive, Alan said.
You just cant be confident in the negative readings with the expired test.
Even with the not expired tests, you have to assume that you did every step correctly.
So theres a lot of caveats with a negative test, she added.
Generally, tests should stay between 3686F, but different manufacturers may have their own recommendations.
Its not ideal to use a kit that was off temperature.
If the control line is working, then likely the test is still working, Ostrosky said.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warnings and recalls for some COVID at-home tests.
Throw these tests away regardless of the expiration date or control line.
In May, theFDA also warnedagainst using Cue Healths COVID tests since these may provide false results.
For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page.
Food and Drug Administration.At-home COVID-19 diagnostic tests: frequently asked questions.
Food and Drug Administration.At-home OTC COVID-19 diagnostic tests.
Gick E, McCune S, Deeter JP.Stability of the COVID-19 at-home test after exposure to extreme temperatures.Microbiol Spectr.
2023;11(1):e04291-22.
