By Deb Balzer
Respiratory illnesses, like COVID-19, flu, strep throat and RSV, are common in the fall and winter. Because COVID-19, influenza and RSV symptoms can overlap, it’s not always easy to tell them apart.
Taking a home antigen test for COVID-19 is a simple first step if you feel unwell or were exposed to the virus.
But what about those COVID-19 tests you’ve stored away for the last year? Are they still good? Dr. Matthew Binnicker, director of the Clinical Virology Laboratory at Mayo Clinic, offers some guidance about COVID-19 testing.
The flu, RSV and COVID-19 are caused by different viruses with similar early symptoms.
“Such as sore throat, some body aches, a cough, runny nose. And taking that COVID-19 antigen test is a good first step,” says Dr. Binnicker.
If you have a stack of COVID-19 at-home tests, Dr. Binnicker says check the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) website, FDA.gov.
“I know there’s been concern about some antigen tests expiring, and what you can do is you can go on to a website that’s publicly available,” he says.
Many COVID-19 tests have extended expiration dates, so they may still be usable.
He says prevention remains one of the most important tools.
“It’s really important to get the updated COVID-19 vaccine that’s based off of more recent strain to help reduce the chance that you can be infected and, most importantly, come down with a severe case,” says Dr. Binnicker.
If your COVID-19 test comes back positive, Dr. Binnicker has this advice.
“It’s very likely that you’ve got COVID-19, and you should stay at home, stay away from others, and if you have to get out, wear a mask. That is a crucial step to help prevent transmission,” he says.
Not feeling well but your test came back negative? Dr. Binnicker says it’s important to play it safe to protect family, friends, and co-workers.
COVID-19 tests
Find out if your COVID-19 antigen test has an extended expiration date at this FDA website https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/home-otc-covid-19-diagnostic-tests#list.
In the U.S., each household is eligible to order four free at-home tests. You can find the link for more information at https://special.usps.com/testkits.
