Covid Test Q

[disneychrista]

I've been sick since Saturday afternoon and used one of the Covid tests I had at home and tested positive. On the test the control line is faint compared to the test line. I know that any line, no mater how faint, on the test line is a positive. But is this the same for the control line, if there is even a faint line is the test still valid?

 

[TraceybaxNC]

I've been sick since Saturday afternoon and used one of the Covid tests I had at home and tested positive. On the test the control line is faint compared to the test line. I know that any line, no mater how faint, on the test line is a positive. But is this the same for the control line, if there is even a faint line is the test still valid?

I have always heard false negatives are much more likely than false positives, especially on home tests. As for control lines, if these are anything like a pregnancy test, the control line either shows up or not for validity of test purposes. So if you see a line, it's probably valid.

 

[disneychrista]

I have always heard false negatives are much more likely than false positives, especially on home tests. As for control lines, if these are anything like a pregnancy test, the control line either shows up or not for validity of test purposes. So if you see a line, it's probably valid.

That is what I was thinking. Everything I have found only speaks about the test line though

 

[magik]

A test with no control line is invalid/test malfunction, and should be repeated with a new test. The paper that comes with the test should show all the combinations of lines and what they mean, As long as there was a control line, even not super dark, you should consider the results valid, especially if you’ve felt sick for a few days already.

 

[disneychrista]

A test with no control line is invalid/test malfunction, and should be repeated with a new test. The paper that comes with the test should show all the combinations of lines and what they mean, As long as there was a control line, even not super dark, you should consider the results valid, especially if you’ve felt sick for a few days already.

I took the first test on Saturday night to rule out COVID because I was thinking it was strep or tonsilitis. The test line was very dark even though I had only felt symptoms for a few hours. I took the second test in the morning to confirm because the control line seemed so faint on the first one. My boss questioned the results (we have to send photo of the positive test).

I would actually be more concerned of trusting a negative result then the positive.

 

[nancipants]

Wondering if Covid tests work the same way as pregnancy tests in regards to "dye stealers". Meaning the test line is so dark it "steals" dye from the control line.

 

[focusondisney]

I took the first test on Saturday night to rule out COVID because I was thinking it was strep or tonsilitis. The test line was very dark even though I had only felt symptoms for a few hours. I took the second test in the morning to confirm because the control line seemed so faint on the first one. My boss questioned the results (we have to send photo of the positive test).

I would actually be more concerned of trusting a negative result then the positive.

So was the control darker on the second test? I would also read it as positive as long as there are 2 lines showing. The only thing that would make the test line show is a reaction to the Covid virus. So if that line is there, the Covid virus came from in your nares.

 

[disneychrista]

Wondering if Covid tests work the same way as pregnancy tests in regards to "dye stealers". Meaning the test line is so dark it "steals" dye from the control line.

Maybe, I never thought of that. The test line was visible before the control line, so that is possible.

So was the control darker on the second test? I would also read it as positive as long as there are 2 lines showing. The only thing that would make the test line show is a reaction to the Covid virus. So if that line is there, the Covid virus came from in your nares.

No the second test the control line was also faint. I totally agree I have COVID the symptoms are all the same as last time had it. Thankfully just not as severe.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I think it's valid. Feel better soon!

 

[focusondisney]

No the second test the control line was also faint. I totally agree I have COVID the symptoms are all the same as last time had it. Thankfully just not as severe.

Hope your boss didn’t hassle you. Glad
You took your symptoms seriously & tested. Feel better soon!

 

[Trinity88]

There is only so much dye in the the tests. If the "positive" line is super dark, there isn't enough dye for a dark control line. It's valid as long as there is a control line showing, no matter how light or dark.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Whatever the result, Christa, feel well soon.

I just purchased a few of the new flu A or B/COVID combination test kits.

 

[disneychrista]

There is only so much dye in the the tests. If the "positive" line is super dark, there isn't enough dye for a dark control line. It's valid as long as there is a control line showing, no matter how light or dark.

I had never thought about there being dye that would be distributed between the two control lines. I just assumed the lines were on the test strip and were activated by the solution and presence of covid. I just might have to dissect a test to get a better look

 

[KayKayJS]

If the test line is darker than the control line, you are producing a large amount of virus currently. I would take it as a super strong positive.

 

[Moliphino]

Both times I've tested positive the test line has been super dark and the control light. Definitely had covid.

This was last July

 

[disneychrista]

Both times I've tested positive the test line has been super dark and the control light. Definitely had covid.

This was last July
View attachment 937813

I'm almost wonder if my boss was thinking that the control line was a faint test line.

 

[Kitty 34]

I'm almost wonder if my boss was thinking that the control line was a faint test line.

I know in our area teachers actually had to get tested at a doctor's office but that was back a few years ago. I, of course, have been retired thru the Covid pandemic so I'm sure protocol has been significantly changed.

Hopefully your boss understands your extreme sickness and lets you stay home and get better!

 

[Dan Murphy]

My boss questioned the results (we have to send photo of the positive test).

Geesh!!

 

[Kae]

The color or darkness of a line does not tell how positive you are. Like said before a line is a line. Instant type tests are qualitative not quantitative.

 

[disneychrista]

The color or darkness of a line does not tell how positive you are. Like said before a line is a line. Instant type tests are qualitative not quantitative.

I don't know if I agree with that. Because last time I had COVID the line got lighter as I started to get better until it no longer appeared.