Has anyone bought the Roche Covid rapid antigen tests?

[doireallyneedaname]

Just that.

The ones you can use at home, they’re around £200 for 25 tests.

Yes. We know they aren’t foolproof and need to be very carefully done, but coupled with our extreme caution they provide extra reassurance. And it means that - unlike some of my acquaintances - we aren’t lying to obtain an NHS test when we want that reassurance.

Yes, true. Is the test done the same as the NHS self test? Up the nose and back of the throat? I have been looking at them but concerned about obtaining the correct sample itself - they’re not exactly cheap as you have to buy in bulk it seems.

No because that one has to be sent off. It is the lateral flow test being used in offices and for asymptomatic testing and that they are talking about using in schools which just goes (very far) into the nose. It gives you instant results at home.

@WorkingItOutAsIGo

No because that one has to be sent off. It is the lateral flow test being used in offices and for asymptomatic testing and that they are talking about using in schools which just goes (very far) into the nose. It gives you instant results at home.

No, the tests described are lateral flow tests. It's confusing because each manufacturer makes many different tests.

I bought them before Christmas, we tested X2 while isolating to reduce the risk to elderly in-laws.

They are nasal swabs, we found it pretty straightforward, there are a number of ways to improve sensitivity.

Would you mind letting me know which website you used for purchase? I’ve had a look and there’s a few, but I’m a bit dubious.

Medisave. They came pretty quickly.

Lots of companies are using them now.

The MHRA has refused to authorise the rapid tests for use in schools now. So I would be more cautious to trust them, I think if you're going to spend that much money you should go and look up the reasoning behind the refusal and make sure you're aware of all the evidence first. They don't seem very reliable.

I’m flying back to the UK and the lab I’ve booked uses this test.

But I’ve been reading nightmare stories today about passengers only being allowed to fly with PCR.

Does the prospectus state the sensitivity and sensibility percentages?

The government says antigen test are allowed if they’re 97% and 80% (not sure now which is sensitivity and sensibility)

If so, would anyone please post a picture or DM me it?

I would really appreciate it.

www.medisave.co.uk/roche-sars-cov-2-rapid-anti-gen-test-kit.html

Pdf's at the bottom give the detail you need.

www.medisave.co.uk/roche-sars-cov-2-rapid-anti-gen-test-kit.html

Sorry, that to @User647647

Exactly what are you wanting to achieve by using them? I think they are fine as a crude screening tool, but as their accuracy is quite poor there’s a significant risk of receiving a false positive and being falsely reassured. I don’t think I’d be spending that amount of money on them.

@Wilkolampshade, thanks!

I bought a box before Xmas and seeing my parents who I’m in a bubble with. Tbh they’re reportedly so inaccurate it wasn’t worth it in some ways, but it did provide some added reassurance (we also isolated before seeing them etc). I did one a day for a couple of days beforehand and then each day I was there. The prob is, the more often you test, the more likely you are to pick it up, but you could also get a false positive and what would that mean in your situation?

The swab goes up nose all the way until hits back of your throat. Pretty uncomfortable but ok.

But I’ve been reading nightmare stories today about passengers only being allowed to fly with PCR.

As it should be. I don't understand how the UK accepts lateral flow tests for incoming travellers. It's common knowledge the accuracy on these tests is quite low, which is why you need a PCR to confirm a positive quick test. Bit dodgy we don't trust positives but somehow we trust negatives and allow potentially infectious passengers to travel...