Antigen tests have become all the rage over the Christmas period as people in their thousands take them in order to have the safest festive season as possible with friends and family.
Many people will have taken a test for the first time over the past week, interpreting the lateral flow test results can be confusing for some.
By following the instructions on the leaflet, most people should get a clear test result. A line next to "C" means the test has worked as intended with "C" standing for control.
If you see a line next to "T" that indicates a positive result for Covid-19.
However, some people have been seeing a very faint line next to "T" and one doctor has taken to Instagram to explain what a faint line means.
Dr Nathan Hudson-Peacock said that each kit has an interpretation window usually around 30 minutes. He wrote: "You do a lateral flow test (LFT, aka rapid antigen test), and it shows a very faint line next to the T. What does this mean? Note: regardless of the LFT result, if you are symptomatic, you should isolate and book a PCR.
"Essentially, if *any* line appears before the end of the interpretation window (check leaflet, often this is 30 minutes), then this is a *positive* test and you must isolate and book a PCR. The picture above is my positive LFT from this morning, and I have confirmed Covid.
"However, if the faint line appears after the 30-minute interpretation window, it means it is not a positive result."
He goes on to write: "The next question is: does a faint line after the interpretation window mean anything? Note: the following is my own views only.
"If the faint line appears after the window, the most likely cause is either that there has been some contamination (e.g. food or drink, or some other weak contaminant), or there are just very low levels of the virus. If it is the latter, and obviously assuming you are asymptomatic at this point, then you are unlikely to be a transmission risk."
