Popular Covid-19 At-Home Tests and How to Use Them (Part II)

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Part II of our article series reviews popular COVID-19 At-Home tests and how they are used.

BinaxNOW (BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card Home Test)

Approved in December 2020, BinaxNow  2020  is a prescription-based at-home test for patients 15 years old and older. According to the label, BinanaxNow can also be used for children from four years old once a child shows symptoms of the disease. You should take two tests 36 hours apart to get an accurate result as per directions.

BinaxNOW can detect traces of the new variants of COVID-19, including Delta and Omicron. With a price tag currently at around $15, it is one of the most affordable COVID-19 at-home tests. However, as of this writing, the over-the-counter version of BinaxNOW has not been approved by CDC for travel authorization.

QuickVue (Quidel QuickVue At-Home COVID-19 Test)

Approved by the FDA in March 2021, QuickVue is the fastest COVID self-test that provides a result within ten minutes. However, performing at least two tests 35 hours apart is also recommended for the most accurate results.

QuickVue test is authorized for prescription home use for individuals over 14 years of age within the first six days of COVID-19 symptoms onset.

Lucira (Lucira COVID-19 All-In-One Test Kit)

FDA approved this test in November 2020, which makes it the first officially recognized COVID self-testing kit. 

Lucra is the only at-home test that uses molecular technology. It means that the test can actually recognize some of the virus`s genetic material. However, it still belongs to the group of Antigen COVID Testing.

For now, the Lucra home testing kit is authorized for prescription use for patients over 14 years of age who demonstrated symptoms of COVID-19. According to the Community Testing Study, the Lucra Testing Kit provides up to 94% accurate results. 

Using COVID At-home testing kits

Covid At-home tests are simple to use. But while it is a simple process, it is essential that you follow the official guidelines and manufacturers` instructions to ensure that the results you receive from a COVID self-testing kit are credible. The guide below is to give you an idea of what to expect. Again, follow the manufacturer’s directions:

Preparation

Wash your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds.

Open the box and read the instructions carefully.

Collect the nasal swab or saliva sample carefully and according to the guidelines to guarantee an indicative result.

Testing

Once you collect the sample, perform the test according to the manufacturer`s instructions.

Result

  A Positive Result

Isolate for 10 days and wear a mask if you have to be in physical contact with other people.

Inform your healthcare provider about a positive result and follow the official guidelines.

Inform people who have been in close contact with you within the past 48 hours that they might have been exposedto the virus.

  A Negative Result

If you have no symptoms, most manufacturers recommend performing another test after 36 hours to confirm the result.

If you have symptoms, contact your healthcare provider, because the result may be false, or you may have another disease with symptoms similar to those caused by COVID-19.

  An Invalid Result 

Such cases are rare and may be caused by a manufacturer`s defect or incorrect testing. If the test appears invalid, make sure to perform another testing according to the manufacturer’s instructions right away. 

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NOT Your Typical Coronavirus: The Difference Between a Cold, the Flu, and COVID-19

NOT Your Typical Coronavirus: The Difference Between a Cold, the Flu, and COVID-19

The Coronavirus, or COVID-19, is a new strain of coronavirus and is spreading quickly worldwide. China was the first to report the viral strain. We first heard of the outbreak in December 2019.

COVID-19 is the most serious and deadliest strain of coronavirus that scientists have identified to date. Yes, there are other strains in existence. The most common, a milder form of coronavirus, is one we are all familiar with: the common cold.

COVID-19, however, can cause severe illness and even death. The elderly and people with compromised health and immune systems, like heart and lung disease, hypertension, and diabetes, are at serious risk. Children and younger adults appear to be less affected by the virus. Many young adults exhibit mild symptoms, and some report having no symptoms despite being tested positive for the virus. But be aware– they can pass the virus on to others. Scientists don’t know why children and young adults are not as strongly affected. However, those with pre-existing health conditions may be have different risk factors.

So how can you determine if your symptoms are related to the common cold, the flu, or is COVID-19? If you have traveled out of the country where COVID-19 is quickly spreading, and it’s been within the past 14 days or less, you should seek medical treatment. 

However, do not go directly to the hospital without contacting either your physician or the hospital first. If you have COVID-19, there’s a good chance you will infect others. Healthcare professionals will ensure you get the appropriate testing and treatment, and protect other staff and patients.

Here is a symptom chart to help you determine the difference between a cold, the flu and COVID-19. It was developed by the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Why Some People Are Better at Controlling Their Emotions

The causes of stress, our reactions to them, and even our susceptibility to stress are unique to each of us.   Our ability to react to such stressors is what is often termed as emotional strength.

According to the Director of Yale Stress Center, Rata Sinha, who is also lead author in a study published in the Proceedings of National Academy of Science Journal, we all have different responses to stress, with some people appearing to be more persevering than others.

There have been debates on whether the emotional sensitivity is pre-determined, conditioned over time, based on one’s personality, or the situation in which they live and work. While we tend to associate emotional strength with someone who is also cold, stoic and unemotional,  there is evidence  that emotionally stability or strength actually may be in the genes.

There are three main parts of the brain– the upper, middle and lower brain, each with its own specific functions. The middle brain or mesencephalon has been associated with the ability to reason properly and rationally and associated with emotional strength.

Further research into gene-environment interactions has shed light on the possibility of genes being responsible the highly sensitive nature of certain individuals. According to an article in Psychology Today, neuroscientist researchers from the University of British Columbia and Cornell  University successfully associated the gene variation responsible for the generation of the neurotransmitter Norepinephrine, ‘ADRA2b’ as being responsible for people with more heightened sensitivity to their environment. This gene variation causes heightened activity in certain regions of the brain, which leads to highly intense emotional responses when viewing either very positive or highly negative images.

In a related study by Rachel Grazioplene and her colleagues,  the cholinergic system was determined to predictably track learning in certain environments. This study led to a conclusion that children of same socioeconomic backgrounds, in the same location, regardless of gender or age, reacted to certain situations based on their history of abuse. The children who had suffered abuse while growing up inadvertently learned to react with anxious and fearful responses as opposed to calmer, more open reactions by the non-abused companions.

Thus, while some people have better emotional control than others because of genetics, the impact of environmental factors cannot be overlooked.

Happy New Year!

With every new year comes greater challenges and obstacles in life.

I wish you courage, hope, and faith to overcome all the hurdles that may come your way.

Have a great year and a wonderful time ahead.