What should I do if I can’t buy an antigen test kit? Don’t panic, it won’t delay treatment!

Author: Science Popularization China New Media

In the past two days, due to major adjustments to epidemic prevention policies in various places, test kits have become in short supply. Not only have prices soared, but in many places it is even difficult to find a kit. Conversations like the following can often be seen in WeChat groups. In many places, even if you have money, you can't buy test kits.

So what should we do if we can’t buy antigen test kits? Is it necessary to stock up a lot at once? Let’s talk about it today.

Let me first state the conclusion: it’s okay to have some antigen testing kits, but there’s no need to panic if you don’t have them, and don’t stock up too many at once.

Why do I say so?

01

What is the use of antigen detection? Many people may have made a mistake

We have tested nucleic acid regularly many times before, and many places also require a negative nucleic acid test within 24-72 hours before entering. So many friends are now a little accustomed to it, and feel more assured to test it regularly with antigen detection kits, so they stock up a lot of test kits. In fact, this practice is unnecessary.

Copyright image, no permission to reprint

Because nucleic acid testing can determine whether a person is a potential virus contact and whether there is a potential risk of transmission, nucleic acid testing is to block the spread of the virus in society. The function of antigen testing is to determine whether a person is in the COVID-19 infection period, so as to take targeted measures for treatment, care or isolation.

Specifically, nucleic acid can be tested regularly regardless of symptoms to eliminate the risk of transmission. Antigen testing should be used to determine whether a person has been infected with the new coronavirus after typical symptoms such as headache and fever have appeared. If no symptoms appear, regular antigen testing is not necessary.

In addition, antigen testing can also help us detect the progression of the disease. If we test again a few days after a positive result and find that the T line becomes lighter or disappears, and symptoms are alleviated, it means that the condition is improving.

So, if you calculate it this way, you should test once when you have symptoms, and 1-2 times during the course of the illness. Considering that even repeated infections are usually separated by several months, we only need to prepare 2-3 antigen test kits per person. There is no need to buy dozens of kits at a time. Moreover, friends who have done antigen tests know that it is not a comfortable thing to poke the nose with a sampling swab. If it is not necessary, why do we need to poke it every day?

02

No antigen test kit? No delay in treatment

Some friends may have such anxiety: If I don’t buy the antigen test kit, then I won’t know whether I have the new coronavirus or not? This worry is not unreasonable, but we can think one step further, that is, if we have a fever, then whether we do an antigen test or not, whether it is positive or negative, how much difference does our actions make?

Some netizens even made a flow chart to explain this matter (similar to the one shown below). Although it is not rigorous enough, it is indeed the truth.

Source: Edited and drawn

In other words, since COVID-19 is a self-limiting disease, mild cases of COVID-19 do not require antiviral drugs, but only targeted relief of symptoms to make oneself feel more comfortable. In fact, we can do this with or without antigen detection kits.

Of course, since the new coronavirus is highly contagious, if you have a fever and suspect you have it, then even if you cannot do an antigen test for the time being, you should still be isolated, especially if there are elderly people or children at home.

Next, let’s briefly talk about the precautions for isolation and taking medication.

03

If you suspect you have COVID-19, pay attention to the following two things

1. Isolation

The following content is directly quoted from the "Expert Guidelines for Home Recovery for Patients Infected with Novel Coronavirus" section on daily life tips

1. Positive infected persons must strictly refrain from going out during their home recovery period and refuse all visitors. Cohabitants should take good personal protection measures and comply with the requirements for home isolation and recovery management.

(ii) Positive infected persons live alone in a well-ventilated room. Clothes, bed sheets, towels and other items are stored and washed separately from others. Tableware is used separately. The room is equipped with thermometers, paper towels, masks, disposable gloves, disinfectants and other personal protective equipment, as well as disinfection products, covered trash cans and other epidemic prevention materials.

(III) Positive infected persons should wear N95 masks when entering public areas of their homes. When people living together come into contact with positive infected persons, or handle their contaminated objects and contaminated surfaces, they should protect themselves by wearing N95 masks and disposable gloves, keeping a distance of more than 1 meter from them, and maintaining good hand hygiene.

(IV) Each room should be ventilated with windows and doors closed. The rooms should be ventilated at least once in the morning and afternoon, each time for more than 30 minutes. The central air conditioner should turn off the return air and operate in the fresh air mode. The bathroom should be ventilated with windows or exhaust equipment turned on for ventilation. The room should be wet cleaned at least once a day.

(V) Bathrooms need to be cleaned and disinfected on a daily basis. When flushing a toilet, cover the toilet lid before flushing. The dry and wet floor drains in the bathroom and kitchen need to be filled with water regularly every day. After filling, cover the lid and press the floor drain with a water-filled plastic bag, or use a silicone pad to seal it.

(VI) Domestic waste must be properly handled. Each time garbage is collected, it should be packed in double-layer plastic bags and the bag mouths should be tied tightly to avoid spillage. The outer surface and sealing parts should be disinfected, and then the co-residents should wear N95 masks and latex gloves to place the garbage in the designated location of the community.

(VII) Except for daily necessities and medicines, try not to order other express deliveries. When receiving express deliveries and take-outs, adopt a contactless method. When opening the door, you need to wear an N95 mask and disposable gloves in accordance with regulations, and do a good job of hand hygiene before and after opening the door.

2. Take medication

The most common symptoms of infection with the new coronavirus include fever, headache, sore throat, etc. If it significantly affects rest and sleep, you can take antipyretic and analgesic drugs such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Children can choose the corresponding suspension.

One point that needs to be emphasized here is that some people may take multiple symptomatic drugs at the same time to quickly control the disease after suspecting or confirming that they have been infected with the new coronavirus in order to recover as soon as possible. This is a very undesirable practice.

You should know that each drug has a strict usage and dosage. Only by using the drug correctly can it cure the disease while causing fewer side effects. Taking multiple drugs without authorization can easily lead to repeated use of drugs, overdose, and harm human health.

It is important to note that although some drugs have different trade names, their chemical components are the same and they are still the same type of drug. Random combination use can easily lead to excessive drug intake and cause danger. Therefore, if there is a doctor's order and prescription, you must take the medicine as directed by the doctor and do not add medicine at will. For mild patients receiving home treatment, it is recommended to use the medicine according to the National Health Commission's home treatment guidelines. Read the instructions carefully before taking the medicine and do not take the medicine together on your own.

Finally, to sum up, the new coronavirus antigen test kit is only needed after symptoms appear. The dosage is very small. Usually, 2-3 kits are enough for each person. There is no need to stock up a lot for regular testing. There are many pathogens that may cause symptoms such as fever, cough, and sore throat. Antigen test kits can help us determine whether we are infected with the new coronavirus. However, if we do not have antigen test kits at hand, it does not delay our isolation and taking medicine.