Are those home tests making covid worse?

[spinbaby]

A dynamic I see played out over and over again in my circle of friends and acquaintances is that of symptoms and a negative covid quick test, followed later by a positive PCR test. Meanwhile, they’ve been out and about because they were confident they didn’t have covid. I know the quick test isn’t good at detecting infection in the first couple of days, but some seem to never test positive on the quick test.

[jimfields33]

1. I trust President Biden who approved and distributed them timely

I think they are a lifesaver for those who can’t drop everything and run and stand in line for a tests. Thank you President Biden for your leadership. You’ve proved again you know what is best for America.

[greenjar_01]

4. ...

[flying_wahini]

2. Some of the older tests aren't as sensitive to the latest variant and need up to 5 days to show

The PCR tests are apparently more updated.

[TheRealNorth]

12. It took 2 days from symptom onset for my rapid test to become positive...

[Hugh_Lebowski]

3. Personally think the reason this happens is mostly because people won't shove the swab

far enough up their own noses to properly test.

I get your point, though, could be some people go out with false confidence as a result, and end up spreading their C19 case further.

Net result however I still think is positive.

[lkinwi]

5. Two friends of mine tested negative on a home test even though they had symptoms at first.

Their tests 24 hours later were positive.

[AZSkiffyGeek]

6. What I've read is that Rapid tests give false negatives at the beginnning,

Then PCR tests give false positives at the end. So ignore home tests at the beginning and get a PCR. But you can usually trust the home test to tell you when you really are over. That said, I had Paxlovid rebound. Tested postive on 7/5, started Paxlovid on 7/6. Tested negative on 7/13. Had a full rebound of symptoms on 7/18 and tested positive again through 7/26.

My wife couldn't take Paxlovid, she tested positive on 7/4, tested negative w/ rapid on 7/20, but also tested positive w/ PCR on 7/19. She's been fine since that weekend though.

The best advise I've read is that right now, if it feels like the flu, it's COVID, schedule a PCR test. And get Paxlovid if you can, the rebounds are rare and it really did improve my symptoms rapidly.

Also, take it seriously, it really isn't a joke. But even though I'm immunocompromised, I was never afraid I would die, or even have to go to the hospital - I was really sick, but I've been far sicker in my life.

NOTE: Double boosted and always wearing N95s when out in the public. We're still not sure where we got it, but we managed to spread it to 3 friends who are also super careful when we got together 4th of July Weekend.

[Justice]

7. I had symptoms, tested negative. Didn't test positive untll 5 days later

But I had symptoms - so wasn't confident and didn't go out and about.

[Kota]

8. The tests have an expiration date for July and August. I have been

using them since some people close to me have had covid. All were negative even though I had symptoms. I just stayed away from everyone and wore a mask when I had to be out.

[spinbaby]

9. A wise course of action

Even if it’s not covid, who wants to spread crud?

[FBaggins]

10. Another possibility

PCR tests are more sensitive and can pick up the infection earlier in the timeline. However - they can also result in a false positive months after you're over the infection (while the rapid "antigen" tests aren't fooled by the old infection).

So you could be looking at someone who had COVID a month ago and didn't know it... and now has a cold.

[Solomon]

11. Covid finally got me last Saturday night. I've done everything one could do to avoid it.

Rarely leave the house and when I do I wear a mask. I've had 4 shots. Saturday night I was scheduled to go stay with my 91 year old parents but I was feeling a bit more tired than normal so I took a home test and it was positive. The next morning I went to a clinic for a rapid test and PCR. The tests came back positive and needless to say by that time I had reason to feel that the home test had been correct.

I am so grateful that I had that home test and used it. I almost ignored the fatigue and went to my parent's house anyway. My parents are safe and I'm grateful.