Swab Home Test

Why choose REALY?

Professional Team

REALY has a development department dedicated to the development of IVD reagents. Our technical staff is responsible for process development, process improvement, and formulation development.

Quality Assurance

We have CE certificates, ISO 13485 quality system certification, Manufacture License, and Marketing Authorization in the country of origin. We are also preparing the FDA and other certificates.

Strict Quality Control

Maintain strict quality control during the process. Our product safety is checked through extensive testing, sampling and verification procedures to meet final product specifications.

Sales to The World

We participate in medical exhibitions in many countries such as Medlab, Medica, and AACC every year. The sales network has covered more than 80 countries and regions, distributing high-quality products at very competitive prices.

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What is a Self-Test or At-Home Test?

Self-tests for COVID-19 give rapid results and can be taken anywhere.

Self-tests detect current infection and are sometimes also called “home tests,” “at-home tests,” or “over-the-counter (OTC) tests.”
They give you results in 10-15 minutes and are usually antigen tests. These are different from laboratory-based PCR tests or self-collected samples that are sent to a laboratory; these may take days to return your result.
Although self-tests are usually faster, they are not as good at detecting the virus as PCR tests, meaning you might get a false negative result.
FDA recommends people who get an initial negative result on an antigen test, take at least one more test 48 hours later. Take a third test, 48 hours after the second, if the second test was negative and you don’t have symptoms. Self-tests are more likely to detect the virus if you have symptoms.
You may get a PCR test as an alternative to repeat testing.

Benefits Of Swab Home Test

Fast Answers Before and After You Travel

Travel knowing that you’re healthy by getting a test before and after you arrive at your destination with direct-to-you testing.

An Improved Experience For Your Child

The nasal swab test can be painful for young children. In-home testing means that the test is done in a safe, comfortable, and familiar environment, so your child will be less stressed and concerned throughout their test.

Privacy

One of the biggest benefits of in-home Covid testing is that tests are private and discreet, ideal for those who need to limit their exposure to the public.

Mobility/Accessibility Considerations

Because you don’t have to leave your home, in-home testing is ideal for anyone who might have transportation issues or mobility/accessibility complications.

Types of Swab Test Samples

Swab samples use a swab (similar to a long Q-Tip) to collect a sample from the nose or throat. The types of samples include:

Anterior Nares (Nasal)

Takes a sample from just inside the nostrils.

Mid-turbinate

Takes a sample from further up inside the nose.

Nasopharyngeal

Takes a sample from deep inside the nose, reaching the back of the throat, and should only be collected by a trained health care provider.

Oropharyngeal

Takes a sample from the middle part of the throat (pharynx) just beyond the mouth, and should only be collected by a trained health care provider.

Compared Nasal and Throat Swab COVID Tests

Throat Swab COVID Tests

The pros of a throat swab include:

Comfort: For some people, it’s more comfortable to swab their throat than their nose.
Location: If a particular variant is more concentrated in someone’s throat, swabbing there could have a higher chance of a positive test. But this is not proven yet.

The cons of a throat swab include:

Uncertain Accuracy of Results: Current at-home COVID tests are only valid with a nasal swab. This means that the tests have not been verified with throat swabbing. So it is not known if they will work correctly with a throat swab sample.
Difficulty Getting a Good Sample: Getting a good throat swab sample means swabbing the back of your throat thoroughly for a few seconds. This can be hard to do, especially if you have a strong gag reflex.

Nasal Swab COVID Test

The pros of a nasal swab include:

Recommended: The FDA recommends swabbing your nose with home COVID tests (not your throat).
Better Accuracy: Home tests were designed to be used in the nose. So the results are more trustworthy.

The cons of a nasal swab include:

Discomfort: Many people find swabbing their nose uncomfortable.
Location: Since a nasal swab gets a sample from your nose, it won't pick up a virus that's only in the throat. But this is still debated.

Who is the Swab Home Test Suitable for?

If you are over 18 years old, you can use this test. You can ask someone to help you if you need to.

Young people who are between 12 and 17 years old can use this test if an adult is watching. The adult can help with the test.

This test can be used by children who are under 12 years old if the test is done for them by an adult.

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Test Card
Cartridge containing the test strip in a sealed foil pouch with desiccant.

Buffer Solution
Vial with reagent used to extract the sample.

Sterile Swab
Individually packaged disposable sterile swab used to collect nasal specimen.

Test Tube

Empty specimen extraction tube used to pour sample extraction solution, add specimen collected with swab and extract specimen.

Dropper Top

Cap to close tube and allow for specimen transfer to test card.

Tube Holder

Marked hole in the front of the kit box where the test tube is pressed in place.

IFU

Instructions for use

How to Use a Swab Home Test

1.Before You Test
a.Store your test according to the manufacturer's instructions until you are ready to use it.
b.Check that your home test has not expired and is not damaged.
c.Keep the test directions handy so you can follow them.
d.Read the complete manufacturer’s instructions before using a test.
e.Wash your hands before and after testing.

2.Get a Sample from Your Nose
a.Remove the swab from the package. Do not touch the soft end.
b.Insert the entire soft end into one of your nostrils, no more than 3/4 of an inch.
c.Slowly rotate the swab. Gently press against the inside of your nose at least four times for a total of 15 seconds.
d.Gently remove the swab.
e.Using the same swab, repeat steps in your other nostril.

3.Test Your Sample
a.Insert your swab into the tube. Stir at least five times.
b.Squeeze the tube's sides against the swab as you remove it. Return the cap.
c.Tap the tube to mix your sample.
d.Squeeze three drops from the tube onto the test strip.
e.Set a timer based on your test's instructions.

4.Read Your Results
a.If you do not see a red-colored line in the control area ("C") of the test, the result is invalid. Please discard the test and try again with a new test.

b.If you see a red-colored line in the control area ("C"), your test worked correctly:
If you do not see a red-colored line in the test line ("T"), your test result is negative. If you see a red-colored line in the test line ("T"), your test result is positive.

Warnings and Limitations

Each test can only be used once.
Test results must be read at 10 minutes and no later than 15 minutes.
Interpretation of any result after 15 minutes may yield inaccurate test results.
If you receive a positive result, refer to your state or territory health department information for guidance on confirmation testing, where necessary.
A positive result cannot determine whether you are infectious.
False negative results are more likely to occur if the test is performed after 5 days of symptom onset.
False negatives are more likely to occur in the later phase of infection and in asymptomatic individuals.
A negative result does not rule out infection with another type of respiratory virus.

Quality Control

Each COVID-19 Antigen Self Test has a built-in internal procedural control. The pink/purple line appearing at the “C” position is an internal procedural control. This procedural control line indicates that sufficient flow has occurred, and the functional integrity of the test cassette has been maintained. A distinct pink/purple Control line should always appear if the test has been performed correctly. If the Control line does not appear, the test result is invalid, and a new test should be performed.

Our certificate

We have passed various certificates such as CE and ISO, and the products we provide have quality assurance.

Common Problems of Swab Home Test

Q: What are the two types of swab tests?

A: Nasopharyngeal – takes a sample from deep inside the nose, reaching the back of the throat, and should only be collected by a trained health care provider. Oropharyngeal – takes a sample from the middle part of the throat (pharynx) just beyond the mouth, and should only be collected by a trained health care provider.

Q: How to do COVID swab test at home?

A: Remove the swab from the package. Do not touch the soft end.
Insert the entire soft end into one of your nostrils, no more than 3/4 of an inch.
Slowly rotate the swab. Gently press against the inside of your nose at least four times for a total of 15 seconds.
Gently remove the swab.
Using the same swab, repeat steps 2-4 in your other nostril.

Q: How do you do a self swab?

A: Gently insert the entire soft tip of the swab into one nostril until you feel a bit of resistance and rub it in a circle around your nostril 4 times. Next, gently insert the same swab into the other nostril and rub it around the same way. Lower the swab, tip first, into the provided tube.

Q: What is rapid test and swab test?

A: Antigen tests, sometimes called rapid tests, look for specific proteins on the surface of the virus. Antigen tests produce results faster than other tests. The test sample is collected with a nasal swab. A positive test result means you currently have COVID-19 and do not need to test again.

Q: What does a positive test look like?

A: Look at your test strip and see if there are any lines next to the letter C or the letter T. There are 3 possible results. Match yours to a picture on this page to find your test result. If you have 1 line by C, and 1 line by T this is called a positive result. The lines can be bright or faint. You have COVID-19.

Q: Which at home COVID test is best?

A: The Realy COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test is an FDA-authorized, over-the-counter, self-administered test that delivers results in 15 minutes. It easily slid into our best overall spot because its results are clearer than most and it has minimal components, which makes testing a breeze.

Q: When do you swab for COVID?

A: If you do not have symptoms but have been exposed to COVID-19, wait at least 5 full days after your exposure before taking a test. If you are only going to take a single test, a PCR test will provide a more reliable negative test result.

Q: What can a swab test show?

A: A nasal swab, is a test that checks for viruses and bacteria that cause respiratory infections. There are many types of respiratory infections. A nasal swab test can help your provider diagnose the type of infection you have and which treatment would be best for you.

Q: Can I swab my throat for COVID?

A: A throat swab is possibly better at detecting COVID than nasal swabs. Newer variants like Omicron are typically more detectable in your saliva than in your nostrils. Still, the Food and Drug Administration has not approved the throat swab method for at-home antigen tests as of 2023.

Q: Is PCR and swab same?

A: There are two types of COVID-19 tests: the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test and the antigen test, known as the rapid test. Both tests require a sample from the patient, usually a nasal swab.

Q: What happens if I use an expired COVID test?

A: Unless the FDA has extended the shelf life of your box of COVID-19 tests, it's not recommended you use them after they've expired. Here's why: The COVID-19 test parts could degrade or break down over time, leading to inaccurate or invalid test results.

Q: Are home COVID tests effective?

A: Positive results from self-tests are highly reliable.
Negative results from self-tests don’t rule out that you could have an infection. See FDA instructions on repeat testing.
Invalid results from self-tests mean the test did not work properly, and you need to take a new test to get an accurate result.
How to Use an At-Home COVID-19 Test
Read the complete manufacturer’s instructions for use before using the test.
Wash your hands before and after you collect a nasal specimen for your test.
To use an at-home test, you will collect a nasal specimen and then test that specimen.
If you do not follow the manufacturer’s instructions, your test result may be incorrect.

Q: Can an expired COVID test give a false positive?

A: False positives are unlikely. So to the question of whether you can use an expired COVID test, the answer is first to make sure that it actually is expired, because it might not be. Again, the worry is that an expired test might produce a false negative.

Q: What is the purpose of the Covid swab test?

A: The coronavirus can be detected in swabs taken from the nose or throat, even before symptoms of illness first appear. This is why people can be infectious for a few days before the onset of symptoms, which usually appear about 5 days after the virus infects.

Q: What does a positive Covid swab test mean?

A: If your COVID-19 test was positive, this means that the test did detect the presence of COVID-19 in your nasal secretions. This result would suggest that you are currently infected with COVID-19. If you had a positive COVID-19 test, please self-isolate at home as much as possible according to CDC instructions.

Q: Does throat swab hurt?

A: Your throat may be sore when this test is done. You may feel like gagging when the back of your throat is touched with the swab, but the test only lasts a few seconds.

Q: Is it better to swab throat or nose?

A: Recommended: The FDA recommends swabbing your nose with home COVID tests (not your throat). Better accuracy: Home tests were designed to be used in the nose. So the results are more trustworthy. One study suggests that saliva swabs may be more accurate to detect the Omicron variant when compared to nasal swabs. But this study looked at PCR tests, not rapid tests that are done at home.

Q: Should I swab my mouth for COVID?

A: Combining a nasal swab with a throat swab might improve the sensitivity of rapid antigen tests, but no one has found that throat swabs alone are superior to nasal swabs. We always say if you're going to swab one spot it should be the nose, We would never recommend swabbing only the throat.

Q: What is rapid test and swab test?

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