Trusting OTC Covid Tests

[📚 Dianne 📚]

Do you trust the results of those quick answer over-the-counter Covid Tests? 

I have had all three shots and so has my husband. we both tested positive (I tested positive twice).  He has/had symptoms, I have not.  The only thing I have is post-nasal drip which I get every year.

I  have quarentined, and I am wondering how long do I really have to quarentine? I get differing opinions on-line. If I have to go out I will wear my mask though I don't beleive they really help.

[wildmaven]

The recommended guidelines keep changing regarding quarantine, so I would ask my doctor. I trust the positive results.

[📚 Dianne 📚]

Jan 14, 2022 6:28:24 GMT -8 wildmaven said:

The recommended guidelines keep changing regarding quarantine, so I would ask my doctor. I trust the positive results.

So you do trust the OTC test kits?  I figured I should also, no matter how I am physically feeling.

[wildmaven]

Jan 14, 2022 6:31:13 GMT -8 📚 Dianne 📚 said:

Jan 14, 2022 6:28:24 GMT -8 wildmaven said:

The recommended guidelines keep changing regarding quarantine, so I would ask my doctor. I trust the positive results.

So you do trust the OTC test kits?  I figured I should also, no matter how I am physically feeling.

I trust them when they show a positive result. However, the current kits are not as sensitive for the Omicron variant. If you’re positive, yes you’re positive. If you’re negative, you could still be positive and should followup with your physician.

If you had a positive test, the recommendation is to call your doctor to get further instructions regarding quarantine recommendations.

[wildmaven]

As a reminder to all, please read this support.proboards.com/thread/661355/covid-19-global-health-emergency before posting about claims regarding Covid vaccines, the variants, etc.

I'm sure you all can understand that we can't spend time vetting every member's qualifications to allow select individuals to post medical claims, thus the all-encompassing rules.

[ForumPromotion.net]

There's a bunch of different OTC COVID test kits now. At the CVS I manage, I've got BinaxNow, Quickvue, FlowFlex, and Ellume. I'm sure there's all sorts of others elsewhere. I don't see the results of these tests as 100% necessarily, but if I test positive with one of them, it tells me I need to go get an official test elsewhere. I'd compare it to a pregnancy test.

[daniel]

Anecdote here- Omicron just burned through my workplace, likely from one employee that unfortunately became a superspreader.

Non-vaxxed sick: 4 out of 4 possible exposures, including 1 who had previously Alpha.

Vaxxed but not boosted sick: 1 out of 2, 1 also previously had Alpha.

Vaxxed & boosted: 0 out of 1 (me who also previously had Alpha).

Lots of tests done. Several people had negative tests and then two days later were positive.

A false positive is super low chance. What's likely is that someone is positive but is probably less infective. A negative test, with symptoms, is probably just too soon to show up and a retest later is a good idea.

Is the vaccine perfect? Nah, but it and the booster do show to be highly effective at reducing chances of infection and reducing severity. Have seen that first hand as it felt like I was walking through a wildfire at times.

Current guidelines for positive but no/low symptoms seems to be= quarantine for 5 days after fever or major symptoms then wear a mask when around others.

Best of luck to everyone. Do your part, it's easy!  May the odds be ever in your favor!

[Gizzy]

I do believe that each test can be set up different i.e. in the levels it can review but i also think that a positive test should be taken as one even on an OTC test.

[📚 Dianne 📚]

Well, I'm still quarantining myself, I let my General Doc know, and now I'm going to let my Cardiologist know. I feel no different than if I were having an allergy episode. Wierd.

[User 180565 is taking donation]

What I don't trust is the cost behind them this simple Amazon link shows you can buy a kit for nearly $20.

iHealth COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test, 2 Tests per Pack,FDA EUA Authorized OTC at-Home Self Test, Results in 15 Minutes with Non-invasive Nasal Swab, Easy to Use & No Discomfort www.amazon.com/dp/B09KZ6TBNY/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_Q1C0Y890NNF4K7GXJ11Y?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Thats great and all I understand there's still billions without insurance however imo there should be government related programs that sends us these kits for free fully backed by doctors and pharmacies that are willing to send them to you in the mail. You can already get prescriptions delivered through the mail, though a simple program backed by the government would lower hospital visit rates just to find out if you have covid or not.

$20 isn't alot but to some it is just to find out if you're sick or not.

[wildmaven]

Jan 14, 2022 11:03:30 GMT -8 ForumPromotion.net said:

There's a bunch of different OTC COVID test kits now. At the CVS I manage, I've got BinaxNow, Quickvue, FlowFlex, and Ellume. I'm sure there's all sorts of others elsewhere. I don't see the results of these tests as 100% necessarily, but if I test positive with one of them, it tells me I need to go get an official test elsewhere. I'd compare it to a pregnancy test.

How is your CVS keeping up with demand? The Rite Aid that my husband supervises runs out just hours after delivery.

Jan 14, 2022 15:10:14 GMT -8 daniel said:

Best of luck to everyone. Do your part, it's easy!  May the odds be ever in your favor!

Exactly! In our dinky little town of 29,000 there were 300 cases in a week. 

Jan 15, 2022 1:40:33 GMT -8 Gizzy said:

i also think that a positive test should be taken as one even on an OTC test.

Very true.  

Jan 15, 2022 4:45:53 GMT -8 📚 Dianne 📚 said:

Well, I'm still quarantining myself, I let my General Doc know, and now I'm going to let my Cardiologist know. I feel no different than if I were having an allergy episode. Wierd.

I'm glad you're only slightly symptomatic. We need our resident bookworm to stay safe.  

Jan 15, 2022 6:46:13 GMT -8 User 180565 is taking donation said:

$20 isn't alot but to some it is just to find out if you're sick or not.

There are towns across the US that are sending out test kits to their populations, but it's not being done nationwide. I'm not sure how I feel about that. On one hand, you don't want to waste the kits on people who aren't going to need/use them, but you also want everyone to have access to them as needed. Many pharmacies are now restricting the number an individual can buy, because they're in short supply. Plus, there are rumors that they're now being sold black market style.  

[User 180565 is taking donation]

Jan 15, 2022 9:55:10 GMT -8 wildmaven said:

Jan 15, 2022 6:46:13 GMT -8 User 180565 is taking donation said:

$20 isn't alot but to some it is just to find out if you're sick or not.

There are towns across the US that are sending out test kits to their populations, but it's not being done nationwide. I'm not sure how I feel about that. On one hand, you don't want to waste the kits on people who aren't going to need/use them, but you also want everyone to have access to them as needed. Many pharmacies are now restricting the number an individual can buy, because they're in short supply. Plus, there are rumors that they're now being sold black market style.  

Yeah I can totally see people hoarding these like they did with TP making them even harder to get but my question to that is if their is a expiration date. I've heard you just urinate on some of them but I'm sure over time the cotton in them could deteriate making them unreliable? This why they should only be sent out if you have a phone call with your doctor and they should mail them out. It could really depopulate hospital visits that way. As I said most pharmacies have someway of getting your prescriptions out same day so I don't really see the major difference besides giving a bigger peak haul on the actual drivers. Given that it can even get worse on them as it is now.

[daniel]

Jan 15, 2022 6:46:13 GMT -8 User 180565 is taking donation said:

What I don't trust is the cost behind them this simple Amazon link shows you can buy a kit for nearly $20.

iHealth COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test, 2 Tests per Pack,FDA EUA Authorized OTC at-Home Self Test, Results in 15 Minutes with Non-invasive Nasal Swab, Easy to Use & No Discomfort www.amazon.com/dp/B09KZ6TBNY/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_Q1C0Y890NNF4K7GXJ11Y?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Thats great and all I understand there's still billions without insurance however imo there should be government related programs that sends us these kits for free fully backed by doctors and pharmacies that are willing to send them to you in the mail. You can already get prescriptions delivered through the mail, though a simple program backed by the government would lower hospital visit rates just to find out if you have covid or not.

$20 isn't alot but to some it is just to find out if you're sick or not.

Good news!  www.covidtests.gov/

They are going to start sending them out for free. Delivery times will not be great, so it's a good idea to grab a few ASAP in case they are needed later.

In the mean time, if needed call the local health department and see if they offer any services. That may depend on area, but some are doing free tests on a needs basis.

[User 180565 is taking donation]

Jan 15, 2022 15:54:58 GMT -8 daniel said:

Jan 15, 2022 6:46:13 GMT -8 User 180565 is taking donation said:

What I don't trust is the cost behind them this simple Amazon link shows you can buy a kit for nearly $20.

iHealth COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test, 2 Tests per Pack,FDA EUA Authorized OTC at-Home Self Test, Results in 15 Minutes with Non-invasive Nasal Swab, Easy to Use & No Discomfort www.amazon.com/dp/B09KZ6TBNY/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_Q1C0Y890NNF4K7GXJ11Y?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Thats great and all I understand there's still billions without insurance however imo there should be government related programs that sends us these kits for free fully backed by doctors and pharmacies that are willing to send them to you in the mail. You can already get prescriptions delivered through the mail, though a simple program backed by the government would lower hospital visit rates just to find out if you have covid or not.

$20 isn't alot but to some it is just to find out if you're sick or not.

Good news!  www.covidtests.gov/

They are going to start sending them out for free. Delivery times will not be great, so it's a good idea to grab a few ASAP in case they are needed later.

In the mean time, if needed call the local health department and see if they offer any services. That may depend on area, but some are doing free tests on a needs basis.

Wow the government did exactly what I was thinking they should do for once lol. Still think they should come directly from a doctor almost like a prescription so these delays won't happen but they probably would regardless. Still a good step in the right direction.

[📚 Dianne 📚]

Jan 15, 2022 9:55:10 GMT -8 wildmaven said:

Jan 15, 2022 4:45:53 GMT -8 📚 Dianne 📚 said:

Well, I'm still quarantining myself, I let my General Doc know, and now I'm going to let my Cardiologist know. I feel no different than if I were having an allergy episode. Wierd.

I'm glad you're only slightly symptomatic. We need our resident bookworm to stay safe.  

 Yes, who else is going to bore everyone with all that talking about books that I do!   BTW- I have a recomendation for you!