When it comes to Covid-19 testing, it can often be tricky to sort through what type of test is the best option for you. If you’re looking for rapid Covid-19 testing, then a lateral flow test might be a great option for your needs. Read on to find out some more info on what lateral flow testing is and book your testing appointment today!
- What is Lateral Flow Testing?
The Covid-19 lateral flow tests, also commonly known as rapid diagnostic tests, are a means of rapidly testing whether or not someone has SARS-CoV-2. The tests normally take between 15 to 30 minutes, and unlike PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) testing, there is no need for complex laboratory equipment or highly trained staff. These tests produce results rapidly and are a simple and convenient testing option.
- How Does it Work?
Lateral flow tests are not just used for Covid-19, and the tests themselves are designed to analyze different types of bodily fluids. The tests specifically for detecting the Covid-19 virus however will look at materials collected from the back of the patient’s nose and throat. A swab is used to collect these materials and is then deposited in a small tube of liquid. After this, a small amount of the liquid is dropped on an absorbent pad, and the liquid spreads down the pad until it encounters a strip coated in proteins specific to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Similar to a pregnancy test, when the viral proteins are present in the fluid sample, a colored line will appear indicating a positive test.
- How Accurate Are They?
To get a clear picture of testing accuracy, there are two key considerations. The first of these is sensitivity. In the case of Covid-19 testing, sensitivity refers to the proportion of true positive cases that a test identifies accurately. A highly sensitive test will identify all infected people as positive. The other consideration is specificity. In this case, specificity means the proportion of true negatives a test identifies accurately. If the test is highly specific, it will accurately identify all people who do not have the virus as negative. For rapid Covid-19 testing, it’s recommended by the World Health Organization that tests should have a minimum sensitivity of 70% and a minimum specificity of at least 97%. So, all this being said, make sure you do your research, talk to your healthcare practitioner, and find out the accuracy statistics for the tests that are being offered to you.
If you’re looking for Rapid covid-19 testing in Pasadena, then look no further! At Advanced Urgent Care of Pasadena, we are happy to provide rapid Covid-19 testing done by our dedicated health professionals. Get in touch today and book your Covid-19 testing appointment!
