Can you rely on the self-test kits for Covid-19?

There are two kinds of tests to find out whether you have a Covid-19 infection. The Rapid Antigen Tests and the molecular test, also known as RT-PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction). Both use nasal or throat swabs.

RAT or lateral flow tests look for the presence of antigens. The tests are easy to carry out and the results won't take more than 5-30 minutes. PCR tests look for the RNA of the virus and can be carried out only in labs.

Self-test kits are antigen kits. They are easy to use, but they are not fool-proof. There are cases of false positives and negatives turning up. PCR tests are much more reliable and they are the basis of Covid diagnosis in all countries.

But despite that, these self-test kits are useful for a quick early test if there are signs of trouble. But they need to be followed through with an RT-PCR test for confirmation.

The Indian Council of Medical Research has approved many self-test kits including CoviSelf, developed by MyLab Discovery Solutions, Panbio COVID-29 antigen self-test by Abbott and Angstrom's Angcard Covid 19 Antigen Rapid Test Kit. All of them cost less than lab tests.