【Rapid Tests For Students】Testing Tips For Parents
2022-04-13
Upon the resumption of face-to-face classes, all students, teachers and staff are required by the Government to conduct rapid antigen tests (RAT) every morning before entering schools. As an easy guide for parents and caretakers, this article lists out several testing tips when performing a RAT on your child and other questions that might be raised by your child.
How are viruses transmitted?
Infectious diseases are usually transmitted through the following pathways:
Droplet transmission
Contact transmission
Therefore, it is crucial for both adults and children to always follow appropriate hygiene practices, including wearing mask, washing hands, covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, followed by throwing used tissues in the trash and washing hands. Having a balanced diet, keeping a regular routine and getting adequate sleep are also important to strengthen your immune system.
What are the symptoms of infection?
Some of the common symptoms are as follows:
| Mild Symptoms | Severe Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Fever, cough, sore throat, headache, fatigue | Persistent fever (>38.5°C) or hypothermia (≤35°C), convulsions, shortness of breath, loss of mobility or inability to stay awake |
Why are RATs necessary before going to school?
You can know your infection status through performing RATs, appropriate medical treatments and isolation arrangement can be provided in time if your results are positive, so that the risk of transmission to other students, teachers and staff can be diminished.
What should caretakers know prior to performing RATs on children?
Reserve enough time for testing
Personally demonstrate the test or with toys
Use TV/toys as distraction
Consider a small reward or appreciation afterwards
- Ensure that the swab is not touched by your childin order not to affect the test result
- Remember to be gentle and patient, gently hold and tilt your child’s head back, slowly insert the swab. Stop swabbing if you feel resistance to avoid the risk of bleeding
- If necessary, allow your child to sit on the caretaker’s laps, and then gently hold your child to adjust his/her position for another caretaker to perform the RAT
How to use RAT?
Tilt the head back, rub the swab against the wall of each nostril for 5 times in a large circular path
Stir the swab into the buffer solution and twist back and forth 20 times
Drip 3 drops of solution into the oval opening of the test device
Leave for 20 minutes (less than 25 mins) at room temperature and read the results
FAQS on performing RATs on children
Learn more about the complete steps of using RAT and watch the instruction video
What should I do if I am tested positive?
According to the latest guidelines from the Education Bureau, students must not go to school if their RAT results are positive. They should inform their schools immediately and stay at home, and report to the Department of Health within 24 hours through the online declaration system.
INDICAID®INDICAID®COVID-19 RAPID ANTIGEN TEST
- U.S. FDA EUA1 (incl. asymptomatic patients)
- Government-designated rapid antigen test for hospitals and nursing homes
- HK brand with locally developed technology
- Clinically validated with 96% sensitivity & 99% specificity
- Able to detect variants2 (incl. Delta & Omicron)
- Accurate result in 20 minutes
1 INDICAID®️ INDICAID®️ COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test obtained U.S. FDA EUA in July 2021
2 Detectable variants include Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), Gamma (P.1), Delta (B.1.617.2), Delta Plus (AY.1 and AY.2), and Omicron (B.1.1.529)
