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SARS-CoV-2 Antigen testing - what you need to know

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Everything you need to know about testing for COVID-19 with the Roche SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Self Test Nasal.

How to perform an Antigen Self Test

General information

FAQ

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Welcome! Here you can find detailed instructions on how to perform the SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Self Test Nasal and more information on testing for COVID-19.

Make sure to follow the steps below carefully

Make sure to follow the steps below carefully

Always read the Instructions for Use carefully.

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Wash your hands...

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... or use hand sanitizer.

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Place the needed material in front of you.

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Keep a timer to track the readout time.

Always read the Instructions for Use carefully.

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Collect Nasal Sample

Blow your nose once using a tissue. Open swab packet and make sure to only hold the swab at the bottom. Do not touch the tip. Insert the sterile swab 2 cm into your nostril and rotate the swab 4 times for about 15 seconds against the nasal wall.

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Repeat process

in the other nostril with the same swab.

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Prepare the sample

Insert the swab into the extraction buffer tube, squeeze the tube tight at the bottom and stir the swab more than ten times.

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Remove the swab

while squeezing the sides of the tube. Press the nozzle cap tightly onto the tube.

Always read the Instructions for Use carefully.

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Add 4 drops of extracted sample to the specimen well of the test device.

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Set timer and read the results after 15 minutes and before 30 minutes have passed.

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Risk of incorrect results. Do not read test result after 30 minutes.

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15 - 30 min

Control line C

Confirms the test is working correctly

Test line T

Visible if SARS-CoV-2 antigen was detected

Positive result

Positive

Negative result

Negative

Invalid result

Invalid

Positive test result

If both the colored line C and T are visible the test result is positive. This means the test detected the virus protein in the sample. The tested person is likely infected with SARS-CoV-2.

 

What now?
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You need to self-isolate immediately.

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Contact your doctor and...

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... you may be required to undergo a PCR test to confirm the test result.

Negative test result

A visible control line C means the test worked correctly. The test result is negative. There was no virus protein detected in the sample.
 

 

What now?
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There is a very low chance you are currently infectious to others.

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Note that this result is only valid for the day you take the test.

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Continue to follow the hygiene guidelines.

Invalid test result

If there is no line visible, or only the line marked with a T, the test did not work correctly and needs to be repeated with another test device.
 

 

What now?
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To get a valid result you will have to do a new test (with new test material and new sample).

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Make sure to follow the instructions carefully.

Frequently asked questions about testing with SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Self Test Nasal

Frequently asked questions about testing with SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Self Test Nasal

The rapid test provides you with a result of your current viral load. Thus, it is a snapshot and the test makes no statements about future developments. If you need an updated result, you have to retest.

According to our instructions for use, the test must be performed by an adult or under close adult supervision on children under 18 years of age.

In this case, do not use the damaged test kit and use a new one. We would also recommend you to report the damaged kit to the pharmacy where you purchased the test kit or the reference point from which you received the kit. Additionally, we would recommend you to report the incident to your local Roche technical support center.

No, the test should not be used anymore when the expiry date has passed. Please use a new test.

The storage temperature range is 2 - 30 °C. You should store the test at a dry, cool place without direct sunlight exposure.

No, when you open the test cassette foil pouch (pouch 1) you have to perform the test within 1 hour. You should discard the test, if the test cassette has been outside of the foil pouch for more than one hour.

No, the sample must be collected from both nostrils using the same swab.

According to the instructions for use, you should apply exactly 4 drops of the extracted sample to the test device. The manufacturer however has shown in a study that an additional 1 or 2 drops have no effect on the test result. If you applied less than 4 drops, we would recommend repeating the test.

The result needs to be read after 15 minutes, but not later than 30 minutes. If you read the result for example after 45 minutes, then your test might show an invalid or incorrect result. Please repeat the test by using a new test kit.

If you get a positive test result it means that it is very likely that you have COVID-19. Please contact your doctor/primary care physician or your local health authority to ask for further guidance. Your doctor may require you to undergo a PCR test to confirm the result. 

In the meantime it is important that you adhere to the local guidelines regarding self-isolation. 

If a negative result is shown in the result window of your test cassette, then it is unlikely that you have COVID-19. However you should continue to observe and follow all hygiene and local safety measures. If you suspect that you have an infection (i.e., if you have prolonged symptoms or if your symptoms are worsening), contact your doctor/primary care physician. You may have another infection, or your test result may be false. You may repeat the test after 1–2 days, as COVID-19 cannot be detected with complete accuracy during all stages of an infection.

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Safer socialising

Test yourself before meeting your loved ones

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Testing without appointment

This also relieves pressure on our healthcare systems

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More convenient repetitive testing

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Reliable results everywhere

Self-Testing does not require medical assistance

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A step towards normality

and opening up the economy

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A peace of mind

Store some tests at home to have them at your disposal whenever needed

Learn more about COVID-19 and testing

Learn more about COVID-19 and testing

The course of SARS-CoV-2 infections can very widely.

Some people do not have any symptoms, others experience mild symptoms such as fever, cough, loss of taste or smell, or diarrhea. But it can also cause more serious symptoms such as difficulty in breathing.5 Usually, it takes 5-6 days for symptoms to develop after an exposure to SARS-CoV-2, but sometimes it can take as long as 14 days.6

illustration - covid sympthoms

e.g. cough and shortness of breath

illustration - covid sympthoms

e.g. sore throat and muscle pain

illustration - covid sympthoms

e.g. fever and headache

An antigen test detects the structural protein N that is present in the virus.

illustration - virus
  1. Spike
  2. Membrane
  3. Virus RNA
  4. Nucleocapsid (N) protein

An antibody test detects the body’s reaction to the virus - the production of antibodies. It cannot detect a current infection, but it can determine if a patient has been infected in the previous months.

illustration - virus
illustration - antibodies

Antibodies produced by immunsystem

A PCR test detects genetic material from the virus (RNA), which is a very sensitive method of testing. For a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test a laboratory analyzer is needed, and it often takes 1-2 days to get the results.

illustration - virus
  1. Spike
  2. Membrane
  3. Virus RNA
  4. Nucleocapsid (N) protein
illustration - virus
  1. Antibodies contained within the test device recognize and react with the nucleocapsid (N) protein, which is produced by the virus and this reaction causes a colored line.
  2. Sample
  3. Drops from the sample moisten the conjugate pad in the test device.
  4. A substance in the buffer solution causes the reaction for the control line C. This shows you that the test worked correctly.

With NAVIFY® Pass you can
share your individual test status.

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Download NAVIFY Pass in your App store and register your account.

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Perform your Self Test and wait for the result.

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Scan the individual data matrix on the test device.

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Upload your test result to NAVIFY Pass after completing a short questionnaire.

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The test result is connected to your NAVIFY Pass profile.

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The QR code can be scanned and shared for a limited amount of time.

With a digital solution test results can be shared everywhere.

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Education

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Travel

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Sports, Tournaments

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Cultural Events

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Workplace

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Vacation

Any open questions?


We look forward to hearing from you.

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Related information

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    1. SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Self Test Nasal Package Insert 2021-04 V 1.0
    2. Public Health England (PHE). https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sars-cov-2-lateral-flow-antigen-tests-evaluation-of-vui-20201201/sars-cov-2-lateral-flow-antigen-tests-evaluation-of-vui-20201201 Published December 23, 2020. Accessed June 11, 2021.
    3. FINDDX. https://www.finddx.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/COVID-variants-report-FINAL-12MAR2021.pdf Published March 11, 2021. Accessed June 11, 2021.
    4. FINDDX. https://www.finddx.org/covid-19/novel-variants/ Accessed 6 May 2021.
    5. WHO. https://www.who.int/publications-detail-redirect/diagnostic-testing-for-sars-cov-2. Published September 11, 2020. Accessed 6 Jan 2021.
    6. U.S. CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html. Published February 22, 2021. Accessed June 11, 2021.