How to do a Covid-19 rapid antigen test properly

As rapid antigen tests become the dominant way Aussies find out if they’ve got Covid, a doctor has revealed the ways you could be doing yours wrong.

Australians are fast becoming familiar with self-administering rapid antigen tests, as cases increase and the kits replace PCR swabs in most situations.

RATs are unpleasant but largely painless, and give you and your loved ones peace of mind.

The best way to beat Omicron is to keep tabs on your health by using the tests – if you can find them – and getting boosted – as a string of hugely positive studies show the variant is milder than other strains.

However, there are still some people out there who are doing something wrong when using RATs, which could mean they are getting back incorrect results.

Dr Nathan, an A&E doctor in London who has been producing helpful posts on his Instagram page to explain all about rapid antigen tests.

There are still some people out there who are doing something wrong when using RATs. Picture: Ben Stansall/AFP

What mistakes do people make when taking their RAT?

“Failing to spot a positive test. Any positive line within 30 minutes, even if it is so faint that it is barely visible, equals a positive result,” Dr Nathan explained.

“However, if a faint line appears after 30 minutes, this can be ignored.”

What is the best way to take a RAT?

“Read the enclosed instructions all the way through before you start the test,” he advised.

“Don’t forget to avoid eating or drinking for at least 30 minutes before, to blow your nose and to wash your hands.”

Should you always do a swab of the throat and nose?

While PCR swabs can involve taking a sample from both your throat and nose, Dr Nathan urged users to “always follow the enclosed instructions” when it comes to taking a RAT.

“If the test advises doing a throat and nose swab, so this. If it advises a nose swab only, do this,” he said.

“That being said, there are some anecdotal reports of people getting a positive throat swab and a negative nose swab, and later developing symptoms and a positive PCR.”

Experts have clashed over ignoring the in-pack instructions and always swabbing the throat.

Some say it’s essential to do because Omicron can show up during the incubation period in the throat but not the nose, but others disagree.

“If the test advises doing a throat and nose swab, so this. If it advises a nose swab only, do this.” Picture: Jenny Evans/Getty Images

The advice comes as the Federal Government this week made RATs free for another 6.6 million eligible Australians.

This means that as well as people required to get a test — either because they’re a close contact or they’re symptomatic and their testing hub gives them a RAT rather than a PCR swab — concession card holders will also be able to get one for free.

A concession card holder is someone who holds either a pension concession card; Commonwealth seniors healthcare card; DVA gold, white or orange card; health care card; or low income card.

But the rules do differ — under the new scheme, concession card holders can access up to 10 free RATs over three months, with a maximum of five in a single months.

The free tests will be available to pharmacies in the next fortnight.

“You would go along to the chemist, they will give you one and then they will take your details,” Mr Morrison announced on Wednesday.

“They will obviously get your concession card details … and there will be a rebate system that works back to the pharmacy.”

If you’re a close contact, you must get a RAT on day six of your isolation. You can get that for free at a testing centre.

In the same vein, if you’re symptomatic and attend a testing centre, you may also be given a free RAT.

Close contacts and symptomatic people have been urged to seek out resources from testing hubs, rather than pharmacies or supermarkets.

- With The Sun