Home testing must be followed by the right protocol

This picture has been used for representational purpose

The big takeaway from a couple of online interactions with top doctors that this newspaper reported is that home tests are a useful and important response in our Covid battle.

Yet, there are some conditions with the Rapid Antigen Tests that many are doing at home. First, they must report their results on the app. Secondly, the test kit itself should be a high quality one, and FDA approved, for accuracy in results. Thirdly, experts do say that if the antigen test is positive, one should take it that, you are positive. You may follow up with an RT-PCR test but take it that one is positive and then follow appropriate Covid protocol.

Home testing is a welcome move, given that the system is straining because of the large number of cases. In the previous Delta wave, one did not see people doing home testing at this level, so we witness awareness and responsibility as many more people are taking it upon themselves to at the very least make a start and get tested.

It is important that people follow guidelines once testing is done. Follow the correct time frame for isolation at home, if need be, and if others in the family or in contact with the positive person have to be quarantined, they should do so for the appropriate and correct amount of time. Not following up testing with the correct behaviour and response, cancels out taking the initiative and testing yourself.

Finally, do follow a doctor's advice once positive even if at home, so that there is correct guidance rather than trying to self-medicate or following through by reading something on the Internet. This is, of course, especially relevant for those with comorbidities and the elderly. Remember, well begun is only half done, adherence to guidelines immediately after home testing is the correct way forward.