Here are the steps to do a COVID swab test at home:
1. Preparation
Purchase a regular COVID-19 antigen test kit. Make sure the kit is within the expiration date and the packaging is intact.
Read the instructions for use of the kit carefully to understand the specific steps, precautions, and results interpretation methods of the test.
Prepare a clean, flat work surface for the test operation.
2. Hand washing and disinfection
Before taking the test, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds, and then dry your hands with a clean paper towel. This can reduce the risk of contamination.
3. Sample collection
Nasal swab collection:
Take out the nasal swab, being careful not to touch the head of the swab.
Tilt your head slightly and slowly insert the swab along one nostril. The insertion depth is generally about 1.5 to 2 cm (refer to the instructions for specifics).
Gently rotate the swab and stay in the nasal cavity for a few seconds to fully collect the sample.
Take out the swab and put it in the sample extraction tube.
Throat swab collection (if the kit includes a throat swab):
Open your mouth and make an "ah" sound to expose the throat as much as possible.
Use the swab to quickly wipe the bilateral pharyngeal tonsils and the posterior pharyngeal wall, avoiding touching the tongue, teeth and gums.
Put the swab in the sample extraction tube.
4. Sample processing
According to the requirements of the kit instructions, properly process the swab in the sample extraction tube, such as breaking the swab head, squeezing the extraction tube, etc., to release the viral antigen in the sample.
Close the lid of the sample extraction tube tightly and gently shake the extraction tube to fully mix the sample and the extract.
5. Perform the test
Drop the liquid in the sample extraction tube into the sample hole of the test card. The amount of dripping is generally carried out according to the requirements of the instructions.
Wait for a certain period of time to allow the reagent on the test card to react with the sample. The waiting time required for different test kits may vary, generally about 10 to 30 minutes.
6. Result judgment
After the specified time, observe the result display area on the test card.
Generally, if two red lines appear on the test card, it means the test result is positive, indicating that the new coronavirus may be infected; if only one control line appears red, it means the test result is negative, indicating that the new coronavirus is not infected; if no red line appears on the control line, it means that the test is invalid and needs to be retested.
7. Follow-up treatment
If the test result is positive, isolation measures should be taken immediately to avoid contact with others, and contact the local medical institution or health department as soon as possible to conduct further testing and treatment according to their guidance.
If the test result is negative, but there are still symptoms of new coronavirus infection, such as fever, cough, fatigue, etc., continue to observe the symptoms and test again or seek medical help if necessary.
Properly dispose of used test kits and samples, put them in a sealed bag, and dispose of them in accordance with local medical waste disposal regulations.