Pale "T" line in the rapid corona test - is it positive now?

Created: 03/11/2022, 14:54

By: Simon Stock

On the rapid corona test, there is a pale second line next to the “T” under the control line.

What does that mean?

Is the test still positive?

Hamm – Many, many Germans are now familiar with this: After the usual waiting time, the domestic rapid corona test not only shows a red control line, but also a second line.

After two years of the pandemic, everyone knows what that means: I have Corona!

But what if the second strip can only be seen very thinly?

This is reported by wa.de.*

Rapid corona test shows only a thin second line - what now?

The results of a rapid home antigen test are usually easy to read.

If the line comes next to the "C" - the so-called control line - the test is OK.

If the only bar on the test strip remains after a time specified by the manufacturer, then I'm fine too - no corona.

But unfortunately the decisive line is sometimes not bold and red and clear, but only appears pale and pink.

The question then is: is the corona test positive or not?

A lot depends on this question: Do I have to keep away from other people?

Or when the infection subsides: have I survived Corona?

It makes no difference to the result whether the T-stripe appears strong or rather pale: Because different factors can influence the severity of the stripe, no reliable conclusions can be drawn about the viral load from its condition, explains the diagnostics industry association in which many providers of corona tests are members. 

Corona rapid test: what does a thin line mean?

Top virologist Ciesek explains

In a tweet, top virologist Sandra Ciesek shows six rapid antigen tests with different "T" lines.

One on which a barely visible line can be seen next to the "T" is counted among the positive tests.

"Each faint line at the right height counts and should be verified using PCR," writes Ciesek.

also read

What if the delayed self-test is positive?

Many people regularly test themselves at home for the corona virus.

The test cassette often stays on the table longer afterwards - sometimes the shock comes later.

What if the delayed self-test is positive?

Sick because of Corona: These rules apply to employees in the event of infection and quarantine

A positive corona test – that means quarantine!

In this case, some rules apply to employees.

The vaccination status is also important.

An overview.

Sick because of Corona: These rules apply to employees in the event of infection and quarantine

The Paul Ehrlich Institute (PEI) makes a similar statement.

It advises repeating the corona test (ideally with that of another manufacturer) or - if possible - having a PCR test carried out.

According to the PEI, you should be in self-isolation until the test result is available.

Important for all rapid corona tests: Follow the instructions

What is important for all rapid home corona tests is that only those who follow the manufacturer's instructions will get a meaningful result.

After a certain period of time (between 15 and 30 minutes, depending on the provider), the result that can be read on the test cassette is no longer meaningful.

am i positive

You have to consider this when evaluating the Corona self-test:

• A “control line” must appear at “C”.

  If it doesn't come or comes only with a delay, the test is meaningless.

• If no

  line appears in addition to the control line "C" at "T" 

  , the test is negative.

• If a faint or clear line

  appears in addition to the control line “C” at “T” 

   , the test is positive.

Anyone who has been infected with Corona must be in quarantine for ten days.

But what happens if the rapid test is still positive?

You have to take this into account in North Rhine-Westphalia.

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