What if you don’t want to go anywhere for your COVID test? Well, you don’t have to, as Healgen has provided you with a solution in its rapid antibody test.
COVID-19 has spread like wildfire and infected millions. Countries have put restrictions, such as social distancing, masks, vaccination, and stay-at-home. And these practices have controlled the spread of the virus to a large extent, reopening the countries to normalcy.
If you suspect you’ve COVID symptoms but don’t want to visit a testing facility, Healgen has developed a self-test kit for you called the Healgen Antigen Test kit. You can use it to test yourself or a loved one at home without going anywhere.
What is COVID-19?
Before knowing about any test for COVID-19, we first need a good understanding of COVID-19 itself. It is an infectious disease, and a virus named SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for its spread. It has become a global pandemic infecting millions.
For most people, its symptoms are mild and do not cause any harm; many don’t even show any. However, it poses a much greater risk to the elderly and those with an underlying disease.
Also, don’t forget to sanitize regularly.
What is Healgen?
Healgen Scientific, commonly known as Healgen, is a world leader in developing, manufacturing, and commercializing vitro diagnostic test systems. It is a subsidiary wholly owned by the Zhejiang Orient Gene Biotech Co. Ltd. Their products have constantly met and exceeded industry standards.
They develop products for various testing categories, fulfilling the needs of labs and clinical facilities all over the world. Their products include rapid testing, molecular diagnostics, and multiplex flow cytometry. They’ve customers in more than 120+ countries including the USA, Europe, South Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East.
What is a Rapid Antigen Test?
Since the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic, rapid antigen tests have proven to be a powerful weapon against it. These tests have allowed people to detect the virus at home, relieving the pressure on health facilities worldwide and helping authorities maintain lockdowns.
A rapid antigen test detects the protein pieces from coronavirus. A swab is used to collect the sample, which is placed on a kit to detect whether someone has developed COVID or not. Either that swab is placed onto the kit cartridge or the liquid is dripped on to the cartridge.
If the kit detects enough virus proteins in the sample, the strip will turn positive. It usually takes a time of 15 minutes for the kit to detect the virus. Experts suggest you take the test every 36-48 hours for better detection.
What is the Healgen Rapid Antigen Test?
The Healgen Rapid Antigen test is one of the few tests approved by the governments for self-testing. It is in high demand by companies, schools, and other public facilities.
Since the COVID-19 is a respiratory illness, it is detectable in the upper respiratory specimens. However, it is possible only when the infection is acute. A vitro immunochromatographic assay detects infection through nasal swabs.
It does so by ascertaining the presence of nucleocapsid protein antigen in the sample. It produces results within 15 minutes, saving a lot of time for people who would otherwise need to visit healthcare facilities to get tested.
You don’t need any extra equipment or instruments to perform this test as it can be done only using the kit. The buffer and the extraction tube are included in the kit so you don’t have to purchase them separately. It also features internal controls so that your test results are always trustworthy and accurate.
Each Healgen Rapid Antigen Test Kit has:
- 20 test cassettes
- 20 sterile swabs
- 20 extraction tubes and dropper tip
- 1 workstation
- 2 buffers
- 1 package insert
How does the Healgen Rapid Antigen Test Work?
The Healgen Rapid Antigen Test works by taking a sample from the nose. Put the swab inside the nose up to 4 cm, and see where it meets resistance.
Roll it multiple times inside the nose to collect as much mucus as possible to improve the accuracy of the test. Do the same inside the other nostril. Be careful while collecting the sample, so you don’t hurt the patient.
The extraction tube is provided inside the kit, which you place on the marked hole. Unseal the extraction tube by peeling off its cover without spilling the buffer liquid inside.
The extraction tube has 0.3ml buffer liquid, which helps strengthen the sample for better detection. Put the swab inside the tube and roll it in every direction to absorb as much buffer liquid as possible.
However, do not take the swab out after you’re done rolling it. Keep it inside for at least a minute for maximum absorption of the buffer liquid. Make sure you squeeze the tube from outside to facilitate absorption. Since the liquid available is only 0.3ml, make every little drop count.
How to Read the Healgen Rapid Antigen Test Results?
Performing the test is one thing but reading its result is another. If you know how to perform the test, you have done half of your work. The other half is how to read the result and know whether the patient has contracted COVID or not.
You can understand the results of the test by looking at the IgM & IgG readings. Here’s a quick way of doing it:
IgM negative, IgG negative: the patient hasn’t been exposed to the coronavirus yet or it is too early for them to develop any detectable symptom.
IgM positive, IgG positive/negative: the patient currently has an acute virus or recently had one, and the kit has detected it.
IgM negative, IgG positive: the patient had an infection, but several days have passed since they developed one.
The Bottom Line
The Healgen Rapid Antigen test is a blessing for those who want to stay inside their homes, and get tested for COVID infection. It is not possible for everyone to go out, especially for the elderly, and those having an underlying disease. For them, these types of tests are a perfect solution and can relieve healthcare facilities too.
