With quick results and convenience, at-home rapid antigen tests for detecting COVID-19 are here to stay. Here’s some information on how to use them most effectively.
At-home COVID-19 diagnostic tests — also referred to as rapid antigen tests or over-the-counter COVID-19 tests — are an important tool in controlling the spread of COVID-19. They can be taken anywhere, at any time, regardless of if you have COVID-19 symptoms. They are also low or no cost and give you results within minutes.
Rapid tests are a vital risk reduction measure because the sooner you know whether or not you have COVID-19, the sooner you can isolate and notify others who may have been exposed.
While clearly helpful, at-home COVID-19 diagnostic tests do have limitations — especially if you don’t have noticeable symptoms.
Here is some important information you should know about at-home rapid tests, including how to get them, when to take them, and how to ensure you get the most accurate results.
Understanding the basics of at-home COVID-19 diagnostic tests
The FDA granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to a number of different at-home COVID-19 rapid antigen tests, all of which are available without a prescription. All of the approved tests detect current active infection by identifying proteins from the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the virus that causes COVID-19, from mucus samples taken by a nasal swab.
The tests are designed for anyone age 2 and older and provide results within 10 to 30 minutes. They work whether or not you have symptoms, but if you’re symptomatic, the various manufacturers recommend completing the test within 6 to 7 days of the start of symptoms for accurate results.
Some at-home tests use an app to report results, while others rely on you to report your positive test result to your physician, who will in turn notify public health agencies.
The best time to take an at-home COVID-19 rapid antigen test
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you should test yourself immediately if you’re experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. If you had a potential exposure but don’t have symptoms, the CDC recommends waiting 5 days after exposure and then testing again 1 to 2 days after that.
Additionally, if you’re planning to go to a large gathering, the CDC recommends taking a rapid antigen test right before or as close to the time of the event as possible.
Interpreting your at-home COVID-19 test results
There are three possible results of an at-home COVID-19 rapid antigen test: positive, negative, or invalid.
When is a PCR test better than a rapid antigen test?
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests are still considered the gold standard of COVID-19 testing because they offer the highest level of sensitivity, meaning they can detect amounts of viral material that at-home rapid antigen tests may miss. This makes PCR tests particularly beneficial if you have a known exposure but aren’t yet showing any symptoms. These tests can detect the virus earlier in the course of an infection, sometimes before symptoms appear.
Additionally, if you do have symptoms but continue to test negative on a rapid, a PCR test can help confirm with higher accuracy whether or not you actually do have COVID-19.
One thing to note about PCR tests is that they are so sensitive that you may continue to test positive for COVID-19 for weeks or more, even if you no longer have symptoms and aren’t contagious. Rapid antigen tests, however, are more likely to only show up positive if you are currently shedding COVID-19 virus particles.
If you test positive on a PCR test, the CDC recommends testing again 5 days later via a rapid test. If you continue to test positive, then you’re likely still contagious and should continue isolating for an additional 5 days. Having two negative rapid tests 2 days in a row after a confirmed positive COVID-19 test can give you more confidence that you’re no longer contagious.
How to ensure the most accurate test results from an at-home COVID-19 test
Here are 7 tips to help you feel more confident in your COVID-19 rapid antigen test results:
How to get at-home rapid COVID-19 diagnostic tests
You can get a total of 16 at-home COVID-19 rapid antigen tests for free at covidtests.gov. They are also available to purchase online, in pharmacies, and in retail stores. Express Scripts® Pharmacy has them, too.
Many private health insurance plans, as well as Medicare and Medicaid, will reimburse the cost of up to eight tests per person per month during this public health emergency. Some insurance plans cover the cost of at-home rapid COVID-19 tests up front without requiring you to submit a reimbursement claim. Reach out to your insurance provider to find out their coverage details.
Posted date: May 10, 2022
Updated: July 1, 2022
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