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ABOUT NOSE SWAB KITS

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BY. DR. DAVID EDWARD MARCINKO MBA

What is an at-home Covid test? 

There are two types of tests for COVID-19. Viral tests tell you if you have a current infection, and antibody tests tell you if you’ve been previously infected.

If you’re experiencing symptoms or think you’ve been exposed to COVID-19, contact your health care provider or your state or local public health department to find out where you can get tested. Tests are available at many health centers and some pharmacies. Call in advance to see if an appointment is required. The testing process and timeline for results vary by location.

But – Rather than having a doctor or health professional get all up in your nostrils, you can swab yourself and get the results in less than an hour. At-home rapid tests (known as “antigen” tests) are less reliable than the lab-based PCR [polymerase chain reaction] test, but experts say they can be an extremely useful tool for allowing life to proceed semi-normally. 

NOTE: PCR means polymerase chain reaction. It’s a test to detect genetic material from a specific organism, such as a virus. The test detects the presence of a virus if you have the virus at the time of the test. The test could also detect fragments of the virus even after you are no longer infected.

Problem is, in the US over-the-counter rapid tests are expensive and scarce.

CITE: https://www.r2library.com/Resource/Title/0826102549

Abbott Laboratories sells a two-pack for $24, and Quidel’s QuickVue sells a test for $15. But even if you are willing to shell out for one, good luck finding a rapid test on pharmacy store shelves or on e-commerce websites, where they’re often sold out.

YOUR COMMENTS ARE APPRECIATED.

MU variant update: https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/mu-variant-which-may-be-vaccine-resistant-in-all-50-states-after-nebraska-case/ar-AAOnMC4?li=BBnb7Kz

Long haul: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/for-millions-covid-19-wont-quit-doctors-strive-for-answers-on-how-to-ease-long-hauler-misery/ar-AAOnRw9?li=BBnb7Kz

Thank You

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