Tag: Quit Smoking

How Accurate Are Rapid Antigen Tests?

The FDA has given “emergency use authorization” to each of the rapid antigen tests below, however, these rapid antigen tests are not 100 percent accurate. According to the FDA, the majority of at-home rapid antigen tests have a sensitivity of around 85 percent (varies per test). There is a possibility that you may get a false positive or negative result. Almost every rapid antigen tests kit includes two rapid antigen tests for further rapid antigen tests, allowing you to double-check your findings. You can get these reliable rapid antigen tests kits in Australia from https://clinicalsupplies.com.au/collections/rapid-antigen-tests

If your test results are negative: Are you experiencing symptoms consistent with Covid-19 but have received a negative test result? Conduct another test in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions (usually within two to three days). The same is true if you test negative and are not feeling any symptoms—especially if you attended a large event. According to the CDC, it is conceivable that the sample was taken too early in the illness and resulted in a positive result after a few days. If it remains negative, it is conceivable that any symptoms you are experiencing are unrelated to Covid.

If you test positive, repeat the test to ensure the result is accurate. If both rapid antigen tests are positive, you should confine yourself for ten days and avoid contact with others. Additionally, you should inform your primary care physician and any friends or family members who may have been exposed. Individuals suffering severe symptoms should seek medical assistance immediately. Numerous these examinations are conducted on an honor system basis—mask up and remain at home.

There is a possibility that your test result will be invalid. This indicates that the test failed. If this occurs during your first test, you may repeat it with the second one in the box (however you will need to purchase another pack).

covid prevention
COVID-19 has many symptoms.

Stock and Insurance Coverage Volatility

Nowadays, obtaining a fast at-home Covid test is not as straightforward as stepping into a pharmacy or clicking Add to Cart. Because inventory is always changing, you’ll need to check online or at real retail locations on a frequent basis. We recommend contacting your neighborhood drugstores and pharmacies to confirm availability. Click here to learn some additional information about rapid antigen tests.

To meet rising demand, shops are limiting the number of rapid antigen tests available to each client. Walgreens will restrict consumers to four rapid antigen tests per transaction, both in-store and online; Walmart will limit customers to eight rapid antigen tests per buy when making an online purchase (there is no limit in-store). At CVS, you may buy a maximum of six rapid antigen tests at a time.

Costs associated with at-home kits might easily mount up. The Biden administration recently announced intentions to distribute 500 million free Covid rapid at-home test kits throughout the United States, however, this initiative will not begin until January. Your only choice is to pay for over-the-counter fast kits out of pocket. At the moment, insurance will pay kits only if they are obtained via your medical practitioner and are based on your symptoms. However, we encourage that you save receipts in case your private health insurance provider reimburses you. 

Do you have a health savings account (HSA) or a flexible spending account (FSA)?

You may utilize it to get speedy at-home covid test kits.

Rapid At-Home Covid-19 Examinations

After swabbing your nose and placing the sample onto the supplied test card, Abbot’s BinaxNow rapid antigen tests kit offers results within 15 minutes. You may then self-report your findings using Navica, the companion app. Those who test negative will be provided with a temporary encrypted digital pass to use as official documentation of their test result. With two rapid antigen tests included in each package, the manufacturer suggests repeating one every three days—no sooner than 24 hours and no later than 48 hours. This exam has been utilized by a few members of the Gear team. We cannot vouch for its correctness, but we can attest to its ease of use.

All you have to do with the QuickVue at-home test is swab both nostrils, swirl it in the prefilled vial of solution, then dip in the test strip for ten minutes. If the result is affirmative, the strip will display both a blue and a pink line. If the value is negative, you will see simply a blue line. Additionally, this rapid antigen tests kit includes two distinct rapid antigen tests, allowing you to repeat the procedure within three days. I’ve utilized this exam and found it to be simple to give and comprehend.

On/at-home Go’s rapid antigen tests kit is accompanied by a companion app that guides you through the procedure. After creating an account, you’ll collect your sample using the test cassette, extraction vial, vial cap, and nose swab supplied in the package. After ten minutes, the app will offer you to submit a snapshot of your findings and will confirm whether you are positive, negative, or invalid (at which point you can try again).

The cheapest test on our list is FlowFlex. Unlike the majority of these rapid antigen tests kits, this one includes just one test. However, unlike other rapid antigen tests, the FDA is confident enough in this one that it does not recommend repeating the test after a few days—unless you see new symptoms developing. The procedure is comparable: Swab your nose with a cotton swab, immerse the swab in the solution, and squeeze a few droplets onto the test card. Your findings will display within 15 to 30 minutes. The business believes the test is likely to identify the Omicron variety but has not confirmed this yet. learn more about Omicron at https://www.who.int/news/item/26-11-2021-classification-of-omicron-(b.1.1.529)-sars-cov-2-variant-of-concern

The Covid-19 kit from iHealth includes a nasal swab, solution, and a test card. Add three drops of the solution to the test card after collecting your sample and soaking it in the solution. Your result will display on the card after 15 minutes, and you may then submit it to the companion app. If you test negative, you’ll get digital verification in the form of an iHealth Pass. The business states that it is “very sure” that their test will identify the Omicron variety, although it is currently performing studies.

Rather than reading lines on a test card, the BD Veritor provides digital data through a companion app. Following the collection of your sample and a 15-minute wait, you’ll need to scan your test card using the Scanwell Health app to determine if you’re positive or negative. You may then save encrypted copies of your findings to your phone from there.

Warning: This test requires the use of an app, therefore you should verify that your phone is compatible.

Why should I stop Smoking?

Health benefits

When your body is smoke-free it can start to repair the damage that has been done by years of smoking.

Going smoke-free is the biggest single thing you can do to improve your health.. and the best news is the health benefits are immediate!   Click here to learn quitting smoking success stories. Smoking is very dangerous for health, it has become more dangerous in this age of pandemic, you can learn more about the COVID-19 virus and its testing at http://smokefreebristol.com/consider-these-insightful-advices-on-covid-and-rapid-antigen-tests/

 Quitting timeline 

  • 20 minutes
    Your blood pressure and pulse rate return to normal.
  • 8 hours
    Nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in blood reduce by half and oxygen levels return to normal.
  • 24 hours
    Carbon monoxide eliminated from your body. Lungs start to clear out mucus and other smoking debris.
  • 48 hours
    Congratulations! Your body is now nicotine-free. And have you noticed how your sense of taste and smell have improved?
  • 72 hours
    Your breathing becomes easier, bronchial tubes begin to relax and energy levels increase.
  • 2-12 weeks
    Circulation is now improved throughout your body. It’s easier for you to walk and exercise.
  • 3-9 months
    Lung efficiency is up by 5-10%. Breathing problems are fading away. Say goodbye to coughing, shortness of breath and wheezing.
  • 5 years
    Risk of heart attack falls to about half that of a smoker.
  • 10 years
    Your chance of getting lung cancer is now half that of a smoker. Your chance of having a heart attack is now the same as someone who never smoked.

There are over 4,000 chemicals in cigarettes, and 51 of them are known to be carcinogenic. A carcinogen is something that causes cancer.  What cancers are caused by smoking? 

Nicotine withdrawal symptoms

Physical withdrawal from nicotine is temporary, but it can be uncomfortable while it lasts. Quitter’s flu is a term used to describe this phase of smoking cessation because nicotine withdrawal symptoms often mimic a cold or a mild case of the flu. Understanding what to expect when you quit smoking will help you move through this stage more easily. 

The following list contains commonly reported symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. Most people experience some of these, but rarely all of them. Each person goes through this phase of recovery from nicotine addiction a little differently. But for most people, these discomforts are short-lived. 

  • Cravings to smoke
  • Irritable, cranky
  • Insomnia
  • Fatigue
  • Inability to concentrate
  • Headache
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Constipation, gas, stomach pain
  • Dry mouth
  • Sore tongue and/or gums

 Check with your doctor if you’re concerned about a physical reaction you’re having to smoke cessation, or if nicotine withdrawal symptoms persist.

© 2024 Smoke Free Lungs

Theme by Anders NorenUp ↑