Verify: Yes, you should not use an at-home coronavirus test kit past its expiration date
You also have to retail store the kit in the appropriate temperature assortment.
SAN ANTONIO — With the rise of the Omicron variant at-residence COVID check kits flew off the cabinets. But are the checks in your cupboard nevertheless fantastic to use? We are made use of to viewing food stuff, drinks, and medicine with an expiration day. But household coronavirus take a look at kits have them too.

THE Query
Is it true that an at-house coronavirus exam kit can not be applied past the expiration date?

THE Sources
- Dr. Jason Bowling, an infectious illness expert with University Well being and UT Wellness San Antonio
- The Foodstuff and Drug Administration
- Dr. Fred Campbell, an Affiliate Professor of Medication with UT Wellness San Antonio

THE Remedy

WHAT WE Observed
Dr. Bowling informed us, “You must not use the COVID test at home examination right after expiration day. The rationale is that the supplies that are in those people kits above time will split down. The makers really do some security screening to see how long it lasts. But you want it to report an correct final result.”
In a statement the Food and drug administration agreed and explained, “COVID-19 exams and sections they are built of may degrade, or break down, about time. Because of this, expired test kits could give inaccurate take a look at results.”
But there are conditions the place makers of the assessments have verified around time that the testing stability is extended, and a new expiration day can be asked for, and then granted by the Food and drug administration. Dr. Fred Campbell added, “Due to the fact of the point that this is a dynamic pandemic and that we are learning on the fly, it also applies to these speedy exams at property that we are locating out as we go together how reliable they are.”
So sure, it is genuine. An at-residence coronavirus take a look at package can not be employed beyond the expiration day.
Hold in mind that most test kits need to be stored amongst 35 levels and 86 degrees so they will not freeze invalidating the outcomes, or degrade more rapidly in serious warmth.
