Lateral flow tests (LFTs) for covid are essential at finding out who is positive and negative in the pandemic.
They have become a vital part or tracking and preventing the spread of coronavirus during the last 18 months but one health professional is urging people to use them correctly.
According to one doctor there are frequent mistakes people have made when using LFTs on themselves.
Dr Nathan is an A&E doctor in London who shares advice about covid on his Instagram account, @expedition_doctor.
He has revealed the three biggest faults which people are making and are causing inaccurate LFT results.
According to Dr Nathan, the three mistakes are: failing to spot positives, not reading the instructions and mixing up the best way to conduct the test.
“Any positive line within 30 minutes, even if it is so faint that it is barely visible, equals a positive result,” he said.
“However, if a faint line appears after 30 minutes, this can be ignored.”
He added: “Don’t forget to avoid eating or drinking for at least 30 minutes before, to blow your nose and to wash your hands!”
“You should always follow the enclosed instructions,” he continued.
“If the test advises doing a throat and nose swab, do this. If it advises a nose swab only, do this.
“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.”
From Tuesday January 11, the UK Government has said it will no longer be a requirement to get a PCR test following a positive LFT test in England, if the person has no symptoms, according to Manchester Evening News.
Anyone who tests positive with a LFT will still need to self-isolate for the required period, although this can be shortened if the person tests negative on a LFT on days six and seven.
The rules around testing for people with symptoms will remain the same.
Anyone who experiences any of three main coronavirus symptoms - a new continuous cough, a fever or a loss of taste or smell - should get a PCR test immediately.
Dr Chaand Nagpaul, council chairman of the British Medical Association (BMA), told Sky News it was important that “the government doesn’t just wait to ride this out, because every day people are suffering.”
Dr Nagpaul has said some NHS staff were unable to access the lateral flow tests needed for them to return to work after seven days of isolation, reports Lancs Live.
A senior public health adviser has also said that the daily coronavirus figures will become less relevant as positive lateral flows no longer need PCR confirmation.
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