The level of sensitivity is high enough to detect the vast majority of these cases. Lateral flow is useful for finding out if a person is infectious now, and able to transmit the virus to others. PCR and lateral flow have different roles to play in controlling the virus, so it isn’t helpful to directly compare them in terms of how sensitive they are: When levels of virus are high and people are most likely to pass on the disease, lateral flow tests can detect the vast majority of cases. When a person has low levels of virus in their system, lateral flow tests are less sensitive than some of the other tests we use, such as PCR tests which we mainly use for people with symptoms. ‘Sensitivity’ refers to the proportion of people with COVID-19 that have a positive test.
See more on this topic on the Public Health England blog. Lateral flow tests are not being offered in isolation, but alongside a range of other measures to drive down cases and break chains of transmission. This means they are accurate, reliable and successfully identify those with COVID-19 who don’t show symptoms and could spread the virus without realising. Lateral flow tests used by the UK government go through a rigorous evaluation by the country’s leading scientists. They can find positive cases with high levels of virus that are easy to transmit to others, helping to intercept and reduce further infections. Rapid lateral flow tests give a quick result. Lateral flow tests can help to drive down the spread of COVID-19. Self-isolate straight away and get a PCR test. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, do not visit a rapid lateral flow test site. order rapid lateral flow home test kits onlineįind out about regular rapid tests if you do not have symptoms on NHS.UK.find where to collect test kits or get a test at a test site.
#Pcr test stand for free#
You can get a free rapid lateral flow test twice a week. The tests give a quick result, as the sample does not need to be sent to a lab. This is then dripped on to the device's paper pad, producing the reaction that gives the result. The swab is dipped into an extraction solution. Taking a lateral flow test usually involves taking a sample from the back of the throat near the tonsils and the nose, or from the nose only, using a swab. You or your test provider must report this test result to the NHS.įind out what your test result means and what to do on NHS.UK. Positive result: 2 lines, one next to C and one next to T, even faint lines, shows the test is positive. You will need to re-take with a fresh test kit. Void: no lines, or one line next to T, means the test is void. Negative result: one line next to C shows the test is negative. Inside the device is a strip of test paper that changes colour in the presence of COVID-19 proteins (antigens). The test kit is a hand-held device with an absorbent pad at one end and a reading window at the other. The best-known example of a lateral flow test is the home pregnancy test kit. Lateral flow is an established technology, adapted to detect proteins (antigens) that are present when a person has COVID-19. Thousands of positive COVID-19 cases have already been detected using these tests.Įach positive case identified can help prevent many additional people becoming infected over time. This makes them ideal for widespread use in the community.Ĭlinical evaluation by Public Health England (PHE) and Oxford University shows that the tests perform best when levels of virus are high. Lateral flow tests are practical, easy to interpret and can be used in a wide range of settings. Why lateral flow tests are being offeredĪround 1 in 3 people with COVID-19 do not have symptoms, so a test that rapidly detects these otherwise hidden cases is a very useful additional tool for tackling the virus. Those who test positive must immediately self-isolate to avoid passing the virus on to others. The tests are easy to use and give a quick result. In some circumstances lateral flow tests can also be used for other diagnostic tasks. Lateral flow testing is a fast and simple way to test people who do not have symptoms of COVID-19, but who may still be spreading the virus. Opening testing up to catch those showing no symptoms will help to find positive cases earlier and to break hidden chains of transmission. These tests play a different, but crucial role in the fight against COVID-19.Īround 1 in 3 individuals with COVID-19 do not display symptoms. NHS Test and Trace is making rapid lateral flow testing available alongside standard lab-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests.
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