Can Pixel and other home tests tell you if you have COVID-19?
At-home testing can help people quickly determine if they haveCOVID-19so they begin proper treatment.
This article discusses the types of at-home tests, their accuracy, and the best brand names of tests.
Willie B. Thomas / Getty Images
The sample is analyzed at a lab and results are usually reported to you within a day or two.
At-home tests are performed in your home or any location outside of a hospital or healthcare setting.
Types of At-Home Tests
There are two types of at-home tests.
Antigens tests provide rapid results in minutes.
At-home antigen tests are most likely to return a false negative result.
Factors That Affect Results
You may be infected with COVID-19 but not test positive.
Researchers analyzed test accuracy in people with different amounts of the virus in their bodies.
They also looked at symptomatic people vs. asymptomatic people (those without symptoms).
Here are some of the best at-home tests.
Pixel From Labcorp
Pixel was the first at-home molecular PCR test authorized by the FDA.
Using an anterior nasal swab, you self-collect a specimen and ship it to Labcorp.
It costs approximately $120, but insurance may cover the cost of this and other tests.
You take a nasal swab and place it in a solution.
A color change indicates whether or not the SARS-CoV2 virus is present.
According to the company’s studies, the results should be 95% accurate.
The Lucira test costs roughly $90.
BinaxNOW From Abbott
BinaxNOW is an antigen test authorized by the FDA.
It costs roughly $25.
A DxTerity test costs approximately $95.
The best time to order an at-home test is when a person develops symptoms.
However, testing can also help people in high-risk professions keep their families safe.
Tips for Testing Accurately at Home
People can perform at-home COVID-19 testing at any time.
All at-home tests come with detailed instructions and required materials.
Summary
The FDA has authorized a number of COVID-19 at-home tests for emergency use.
Rapid tests check for antigens (proteins).
The information in this article is current as of the date listed.
As new research becomes available, well update this article.
For the latest on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page.
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