Lateral Flow Tests

GingerTim

lisyloo said:

GingerTim said:

briskbeats said:

The first couple of LFT boxes I had, there was a vial of solution which you had to tip into the dropper. Now you just peel off the foil lid on the dropper as that has the solution. That’s less plastic used. Plus the newer kits are nasal swab only. Less plastic used again as length of swab is shorter.

I was physically sick after using a LFT which required to have tonsils/throat swabbed as well as nostrils.

Which is unfortunate, as swabbing your nose only provides a less accurate result than doing both throat and nose.

https://twitter.com/JennyRohn/status/1475410068019585027

Agreed, but what can we do if the swabs aren’t long enough?

Indeed! I quite agree.

silvercar

GingerTim said:

briskbeats said:

The first couple of LFT boxes I had, there was a vial of solution which you had to tip into the dropper. Now you just peel off the foil lid on the dropper as that has the solution. That’s less plastic used. Plus the newer kits are nasal swab only. Less plastic used again as length of swab is shorter.

I was physically sick after using a LFT which required to have tonsils/throat swabbed as well as nostrils.

Which is unfortunate, as swabbing your nose only provides a less accurate result than doing both throat and nose.

https://twitter.com/JennyRohn/status/1475410068019585027

There have been other studies that show nasal only swabs are just as good, not least because a lot of people can't swab their throats properly but think they have done so. They are then less thorough swabbing their noses.

I occasionally have half swallowed stringy food and choked to sort it out. I hate to think what would happen if someone half swallowed a short swab.

katejo

lisyloo said:

GingerTim said:

briskbeats said:

The first couple of LFT boxes I had, there was a vial of solution which you had to tip into the dropper. Now you just peel off the foil lid on the dropper as that has the solution. That’s less plastic used. Plus the newer kits are nasal swab only. Less plastic used again as length of swab is shorter.

I was physically sick after using a LFT which required to have tonsils/throat swabbed as well as nostrils.

Which is unfortunate, as swabbing your nose only provides a less accurate result than doing both throat and nose.

https://twitter.com/JennyRohn/status/1475410068019585027

Agreed, but what can we do if the swabs aren’t long enough?

Yes I thought this too after hearing that the nose only version was less effective. When I was at a PCR Centre, one of the staff there told me of a technique to reduce the discomfort/gagging when swabbing the throat. However, this doesn't help when the swab stick is too short.

borderline

if I get a code from the nhs website to collect a box from the chemist, does that guarantee I will get it or not?

lisyloo

borderline said:

if I get a code from the nhs website to collect a box from the chemist, does that guarantee I will get it or not?

no it doesn’t. You won’t get one if they are not in stock.

elsien

Just keep checking the gov.uk website. They were back in stock this morning. 

silvercar

borderline said:

if I get a code from the nhs website to collect a box from the chemist, does that guarantee I will get it or not?

I trawled 6 local pharmacies, including Boots with my code; none had any in stock and none were prepared to put any by for NHS staff.

warby68

In stock again this am for delivery

[Deleted User]

I have still not taken a LFT - because as far as I am aware - neither myself or my wife have been infected

Is that the correct thing (not) to do ?

lisyloo

Deleted_User said:

I have still not taken a LFT - because as far as I am aware - neither myself or my wife have been infected

Is that the correct thing (not) to do ?

there was a lot of suggestion in December (from the PM and scientists) and about doing them before meeting up with people indoors e.g. Xmas parties, Xmas day, New Year’s Eve etc.
some workplaces also suggest it either regularly, before visits or in some cases before meeting with CEV.

So depends on what you do and where you go.

if you were going to meet a load of family members or work colleagues indoors then it makes a lot of sense for everyone to do one before they go.

our family all did it before Xmas day and I do it for work and before seeing CEV (either socially or work).

the only exception would be if you’d been nowhere at all, which is not impossible these days if you wfh and get shop deliveries.