FDA warns lay person against using Covid-19 rapid test kit
The Thailand Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned people not to buy Covid-19 rapid test kits to perform testing at home.
“During the second wave of Covid-19 in Thailand, people have become more concerned about virus testing, while some are opting to buy rapid test kits from online sellers to perform the tests themselves,” said Dr Surachoke Tangwiwat, FDA deputy secretary-general.
“Rapid tests kits are not an accurate way of testing for Covid-19, as they test the person’s immunity level and not the virus itself. Using only a rapid test kit could therefore lead to misdiagnosis.”
Surachoke added that the change in immunity level would only be detected by a rapid test kit after a person has contracted the virus some times, therefore it should be used only by doctors and experienced health technicians who could accurately analyse the result.
“In some cases, test-takers found the results to be negative, but in fact they had just contracted the virus and it could spread to others if they do not isolate themselves,” he warned.
“According to the Ministry of Public Health announcement, Covid-19 rapid test kit is a medical equipment that must be sold only to hospitals, clinics or licensed medical professionals, and the sales must be reported to the FDA,” he said.
The FDA deputy secretary-general also advised people who have travelled to risky zones, or have had close contact with a confirmed patient, or have symptoms, such as over 37.5 degrees fever, loss of taste and sense of smell, coughing, sore throat or muscle ache to receive a test at the hospital within 48 hours for accurate diagnosis.