Sun and refrigerator are taboo: How to store rapid corona tests correctly

Created: 08/09/2022, 16:49

By: Stella Henrich

Fever, chills, coughing and feeling unwell - in the meantime, people with these symptoms are willing to take the rapid corona test at home themselves.

There are a few things to consider when storing the tests.

Munich - Since July 1, the citizen tests are no longer free for everyone.

If you want to test yourself for Corona, you will probably use the rapid tests that are available in large numbers in pharmacies, supermarkets and discounters.

The Federal Ministry of Health (BGM) is now pointing out the sensitivity of corona test kits to heat on the website “together-againstcorona.de”.

With the current high temperatures, consumers should make sure that the self-tests are not stored in direct sunlight.

If the tests are kept too hot, for example, where the temperature was over 30 degrees Celsius, "the risk of false-negative test results increases," according to the BMG.

The test then does not show a second line, although there is an infection with Corona, according to the information page of the ministry.

But it shouldn't be too cold either.

You will only get a correct result if you store the rapid antigen test for detecting an infection correctly.

Corona rapid tests: Storage between five and 30 degrees Celsius

According to the BMG, the manufacturers therefore recommend storing the rapid tests between five and 30 degrees.

The individual case may deviate from this.

Consumers should therefore follow the manufacturer's instructions in the instructions for use of the test.

On the other hand, deviating temperatures during storage and implementation could falsify the test result.

This is because water can condense in the test cartridge, which leads to a significant limitation in the test performance.

Quick and self-test are easy to do at home.

However, they must be stored correctly in order to be meaningful.

© Gottfried Czepluch/imago

The Ministry classifies high temperatures as particularly critical.

This led to an increased number of false-negative results.

However, the NRW consumer advice center advises against storage in the refrigerator.

If it gets very warm in the apartment, the test kits can be kept in a cupboard in the coolest room or in the basement, advise consumer advocates.

In addition, they recommend moving the self-test to the cooler morning and evening hours and not leaving the test strip in the sun while waiting - usually 15 minutes.

With a self-test you cannot “test yourself freely” and, for example, leave an ordered quarantine

Together against Corona.de

Corona rapid test: A negative test result does not provide absolute security

The BGM emphasizes that it is important for the quick and self-tests that they are always snapshots.

“A negative test result does not give you absolute certainty that you are not infected with the corona virus.” With a self-test you cannot “test yourself freely” and, for example, leave an ordered quarantine.

Even with a negative result, the AHA+L+A formula must be observed.

Likewise, a self-test does not show whether you have already survived your COVID-19 disease.

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• The coronavirus pandemic is not over.

  The BGM therefore warns to protect yourself with the

  AHA+A+L formula

  : keep your distance, pay attention to hygiene and - where it gets tight in everyday life - wear a mask.

  In addition, citizens should use the Corona warning app in everyday life and ventilate the interior regularly.

The corona restrictions have now largely been lifted in this country, and citizens are enjoying the summer.

At the same time, Germany is in the middle of a corona summer wave.

Experts therefore warn of a high number of unreported cases.

It cannot be assumed that many people will isolate themselves if they have a positive rapid test without an additional PCR test.

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