A lot of Malaysian relying very much on the COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test Kit. As long as 1 line showed (negative) , we think we are safe. Some even know they are close contact but only self-tested at home and do not want to spend money for a PCR test.
A Malaysian netizen took social media to share her experience, reminding everyone : PCR tests play a crucial role in preventing the spread of diseases.
▼ Some netizens commented: Home Test kit result is not that reliable!
Post author, Kimmy used different brand of test kits for self-testing. She was asymptomatic. Only after a PCR test, she realised she was infected with COVID-19!
The post read:
* Asymptomatic, test kit with 1 line ( Negative)
Self quarantined for 4 days. I’m using the test kit to do a self-test at home everyday and all resulted negative. I do not have any symptoms, or feeling ill. But, to ease my mind i went for a PCR test, and i was tested positive. Even though i was tested positive but the self test kit still with 1 line ( I used 5 different brands). For the safety of your family, please have a look of the following:
Timeline:
2/2 – I was informed that my brother who stay under one roof with me was not feeling well and tested positive with COVID-19. ( At that time, i was paying a visit to my boyfriend’s family). After i was informed, then i quickly self-quarantined. I did self-test everyday on 28/1,29/1,30/1,1/2.
3/2 – I observed my health conditions. I was tested negative everyday using the self test kit. And i didn’t feel ill.
4/2 – no symptom, self tested negative
5/2 – no symptom, self tested negative. But for the safety of my family, I decided to go for a PCR test.
6/2 – no symptom, self tested negative but my PCR result is Positive.
7/2 – Covid Positive, no symptom but the self test kit still 1 line ( negative)
Reason being of sharing this post is to let everyone know, COVID-19 is not that scary. But selfishness is the scariest part of this pandemic. If you know you are the close contact or developing any symptoms, please do not take things lightly and think it’s not easy to be infected.
Many thought self-tested negative at home means you are completely fine and still heading to public places or meeting family and friends. But your selfishness maybe affected the vulnerable. For the sake of safety of the elderly & children at home, please do a PCR test.
If i never do PCR test, i will never ever know i’m infected. Maybe i will transmit the virus to other people. Probably even after 100 years, i will never realised i’m infected and people around me also will never know i’m the one who transmitted the virus to them. And the fact is, i have done my booster jab – Pfizer.
A lot been telling me CT value 30+ is less infectious ( Then can i pay you a visit during CNY?) I’m already tested negative with the self-test kit. But i wanted to tell you my boyfriend with CT value 23 but until now he is still tested negative with the self-test kit. Same goes to my brother, he was positive on the first day of his fever but on the second day he was still feverish but his test kit showed negative result. I personally think the fact is not about the brand of the test kit nor the test method be it nasal swab or oral fluid.
The point is once you are a close contact or developing some symptoms, you do a test at home and it’s negative. You thought you are fine, thanked god for blessing then continue to meet friends and going out.
Don’t ever think your test kit, be it the oral fluid type or nasal swab type are 100% accurate. ( I did both oral fluid and nasal swab, first thing in the morning and with no food and water!)
▼ CT value of 30 and above is not detectable with self-test kit, and it’s not that infectious anymore. Post author stressed again that, PCR tests are considered the most accurate available.
The Post Author then updated the post：
Some netizens think CT value of more than 30 is not detectable with self test kit. Some said CT value of below 20 will definitely have 2 lines ( tested positive). But i have a friend with CT value less than 20 still tested negative with test kit.
Of course, my point is definitely not about whether the test kit is accurate or not ( I might offended all the test kit sellers). Believing in PCR or test kit is your own choice, i can’t decide anything for you.
All the while my post highlighted:
Don’t ever think you are ok if you are tested negative with home test kit! Don’t ever think your test kit showed 1 line means it’s no longer infectious! Don’t make your own assumption, as life for elderly and children do not have take 2! They can’t afford your personal assumption.
My suggestion is get a PCR test. Although it’s more expensive but to ease our mind. My mum went for RTK and the result showed negative. But due to the developing symptoms. we arranged her to go for PCR and she was tested positive.
▼ Netizen A: After 24 hours i’m sure your test kit will have 2 lines
Post author: My family member did a test ( CT value :23) So happened we haven’t discard the test kit and it’s still with 1 line.
▼ Netizen B: Mind sharing the brands you are using for your test kit?
Post author: Newgene, Sejoy, Biome, All Test, Salixium etc
Netizen C: You are using Nasal swab / oral fluid type?
Post author: I’m using both. But still strongly recommended a PCR test. I’m sure a few ringgit won’t be that accurate compare with a test that cost few hundred ringgit.
▼ Netizen D : Above CT30 is not detectable, nothing to do with the brand of the home test kit.
Post author: Some said it’s normal that it’s not detectable when CT value is high. ( I’m not a professional in this aspect, probably couldn’t provide a very professional judgement). Through my experience, my family and boyfriend with CT value of around 23 is not detectable via home test kit.
So, if you are close contact or developing some symptoms. Please do not take it lightly and think you will not be that unlucky. Or thinking using certain home test kit will be more accurate. ( as we tried both nasal swab and oral fluid). Just go for a PCR!
▼ RTK(Rapid Test Kit) is the test kit we bought in market. Both RTK and PCR are test with different methodology to identify the virus. RTK identifies specific protein from the virus while PCR test identifies the virus’ genetic material.
Test kit only detect antigen in the body. But if it’s Omicron and asymptomatic or light symptoms, relatively antigen will be lesser and it’s hard to detect. For e.g. someone infected, on the first day he might be tested positive with the home test kit but on the second day, he might be tested negative. But it doesn’t mean he is fully recovered but the amount of antigen is reducing to certain level where it’s not detectable with the test kit.
What is the CT value in PCR? For a PCR test, the process requires a temperature cycling reaction called the amplification cycle. For a single test, the amplification cycle is repeated at least 35-45 times before obtaining the results. The total number of amplification cycles required to detect the virus’ genetic material or viral RNA is defined as the ‘CT’ value or Cycle Threshold. For e.g. CT value of 25 means on the 25th times of the process the genetic material was detected. The higher the CT value, the less infectious it is.
In a nutshell,
- If you are a close contact, i will suggest you to do a PCR.
- If your RTK showed 2 lines ( positive) means your antigen level is high. You should go for a PCR test to determine the CT value.
Stay safe everyone!
Info via：Kimmy / Facebook
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