Which rapid tests should you buy? When should you test? And how accurate are they? We asked an expert about how to use them most effectively
Photo: Robin Utrecht/Shutterstock Well, it’s 2022 and here we are in yet another raging COVID surge. One piece of good news, however, is that we now have rapid at-home COVID tests, which have become a helpful tool in detecting and tracing new cases . The CDC’s most recent guidelines on self-testing, which were updated in December, advise using at-home tests before indoor gatherings with people who aren’t in your household.
You can buy at-home tests at a pharmacy or online. Make sure that the test you’re buying is FDA approved: There are currently only 14 authorized tests on the market, all of which are listed on the FDA website. If you’re buying tests online, Ratner recommends double-checking that it’s authorized . The administration also pledged that 500 million free tests will be available for ordering, though it’s not clear when that plan will officially take effect.
Basically, with rapid tests, it’s worth keeping in mind that a negative result isn’t a guarantee that you don’t have COVID, since it could just be too early for the rapid test to pick it up. Therefore, if you have reason to suspect you have COVID — such as a known exposure or symptoms — Ratner recommends staying home even with a negative result. You should also get a PCR test within the next few days.