The Indian men’s cricket team suffered a jolt when their head coach or chief strategist Ravi Shastri was diagnosed with Covid-19 in the UK. Ravi Shastri had no symptoms of Covid-19 but as matter of routine for playing cricket in a 'controlled environment' as against the much-talked about bio-bubble, he underwent rapid lateral flow test for Covid-19. The test returned positive and Ravi Shastri, along with a few other coaching staff, were detached from the team and sent to isolation.
What's this lateral flow test?
There are various testing or diagnostic methods to detect Covid-19. Rapid lateral flow test is one of them and frequently used in the UK for screening purposes.
According to UK's National Health Service (NHS), "the test for people without symptoms of Covid-19 is called a rapid lateral flow test".
Why should one go for test if they don’t have Covid-19 symptoms?
The UK health authorities advice regular rapid lateral flow coronavirus tests for Covid-19 diagnosis, particularly when a person doesn't show any symptoms.
They say about one in three people with Covid-19 do not have symptoms but can still infect others.
Studies have shown that the most active phase Covid-19 spread is two days prior to onset of symptoms and one or two days after the onset of symptoms.
As even the patients are not aware during the most active infectious phase that they could be carriers of the deadly disease, the only way to detect is to test. Rapid lateral test is the quickest and easiest way to screen a possible coronavirus infection.
How regularly may one be tested?
According to the NHS, a person should undergo a rapid lateral flow test twice a week, that is, every three to four days to check if they are carrying the coronavirus.
If the person tests positive for coronavirus, this helps early treatment and prevention from further spread.
Should vaccinated people also undergo lateral flow test?
In the UK, the health authorities say so. The NHS says even if somebody is vaccinated, there is still a chance that they may pass Covid-19 on though they may not get ill or seriously ill due to infection. Regular testing is the most effective way to check the spread of Covid-19.
How lateral flow test is done?
The process is same as several other diagnostic tests for Covid-19. It involves rubbing swab, a long cotton bud, over the tonsils or inside the nose.
How much time it takes to give result?
It takes only a few minutes, much like a pregnancy test. It is done by using a device similar to a pregnancy test.
Does it require a lab visit?
A visit to pathological laboratory is not necessary. A rapid lateral flow test can be done at home.
How accurate are these tests?
According to the NHS, rapid lateral flow tests are 99.9 per cent accurate. It says the chance of getting a false-positive result is "extremely low".
Who should get tested by rapid lateral flow?
Anyone who does not have symptoms can get regular rapid lateral flow tests to check for Covid-19, says the NHS.
However, for symptomatic patients, RT-PCR test is still advised over rapid test.
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