Rapid Lateral Flow Tests - Alton Pharmacy, Hampshire
Rapid Lateral Flow Tests at Alton Pharmacy
Rapid lateral flow tests are a fast and convenient way to check whether you may be carrying the virus that causes COVID-19. Unlike a laboratory PCR test, a lateral flow test gives you a result at home in around half an hour, without needing to send a sample away. At Alton Pharmacy on the High Street we support our patients in Alton and across Hampshire with rapid lateral flow testing, helping you find out quickly whether you are infectious and need to take steps to protect others.
Lateral flow testing has played an important part in the response to COVID-19. Because the test is quick and can be done anywhere, it allows people to check themselves regularly and to identify infection at times when they feel perfectly well but could still be passing the virus on to others.
What is a lateral flow test?
A lateral flow test, sometimes called a rapid antigen test, is a small handheld device that detects proteins, known as antigens, from the COVID-19 virus. You take a sample using a swab — usually from the nose, or from the throat and nose together depending on the kit — and mix it with a liquid solution provided. A few drops of that solution are then placed on the test strip.
The fluid travels along the strip, and if antigen from the virus is present it produces a visible line, much like a pregnancy test. The result appears in around 15 to 30 minutes. Lateral flow tests are most useful for identifying people who have a high amount of virus and are therefore most likely to be infectious to others at that moment.
Who are rapid lateral flow tests for?
Rapid lateral flow tests are designed for people who do not have any symptoms of COVID-19. If you have a high temperature, a new continuous cough, or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste, you may need a different type of test and you should follow current NHS guidance on what to do. Lateral flow testing is most valuable in situations such as:
- Checking yourself regularly when you feel well, so that you can catch an infection you might not otherwise know about.
- Before visiting someone who is elderly, clinically vulnerable, or otherwise at greater risk from COVID-19.
- Before attending a gathering, an event, or a crowded indoor setting where the virus could spread easily.
- After you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
- When your workplace, school or college asks you to test as part of their routine testing arrangements.
How to collect or book a lateral flow test
There are several ways you may be able to obtain rapid lateral flow tests, and the team at Alton Pharmacy can guide you to the option that is right for your circumstances. Availability of free and paid-for tests changes over time in line with national policy, so please ask us for the current position.
Collecting a test kit
Where free lateral flow test kits are being made available through community pharmacies, you can call into Alton Pharmacy at 68 High Street and our team will be able to provide a box of tests, subject to availability. Each box usually contains several individual tests so you can test yourself more than once.
Buying tests
We also stock rapid lateral flow tests for purchase for customers who would like to buy their own supply, for example to keep at home or to test before a particular event or visit. Please ask a member of staff about the kits we currently have available and the price.
Travel testing
If you need a test for travel, please tell us, as travel often has specific requirements. Some destinations and airlines accept a supervised rapid antigen test, while others require a PCR test. Alton Pharmacy also offers a COVID-19 PCR testing service, and our team can help you understand which option suits your trip. You should always check the entry requirements for your destination yourself before you travel.
How to take a lateral flow test
Every test kit comes with detailed step-by-step instructions, and it is important to read them carefully because different brands of test work in slightly different ways. In general, taking a lateral flow test involves the following steps:
Wash or sanitise your hands and set out the contents of the kit on a clean, flat surface. Take the swab and collect your sample exactly as the instructions describe — this usually means swabbing the inside of your nostrils, and sometimes the back of your throat as well. Place the swab into the liquid provided and follow the timing in the instructions. Add the required number of drops to the test device. Then wait for the stated time, normally between 15 and 30 minutes, before reading your result. Reading the test too early or too late can give a misleading result.
Understanding your result
A lateral flow test will show one of three outcomes:
- Positive — a line next to both the C (control) and the T (test) markings means the test has detected the virus and it is likely you have COVID-19. You should follow the current NHS advice for people who test positive, which may include staying at home and avoiding contact with others.
- Negative — a line next to C only means the virus was not detected. A negative result is reassuring but not a guarantee, so continue to be careful, especially around vulnerable people.
- Void or invalid — no line next to C, or no lines at all, means the test has not worked correctly and you should take another test.
How to report your test result
Where the national reporting system is in operation, it is important to report the result of every rapid lateral flow test you take, whether it is positive, negative or void. Reporting your results helps the NHS understand how the virus is spreading and supports the wider public health response.
You can report your result online through the official NHS reporting service, or by telephone using the free NHS helpline number. You will need the date and time you did the test and the identification number printed on the test strip or the kit. If you are unsure how to report a result, our team at Alton Pharmacy is happy to talk you through the process.
When to seek further advice
Rapid lateral flow tests are a helpful tool, but they do not replace medical advice. If you develop symptoms of COVID-19, if your symptoms are getting worse, or if you are worried about your health or the health of someone you care for, follow current NHS guidance and seek medical help when needed. The advice around COVID-19 testing changes from time to time, so if you are uncertain what to do, please ask.
Our pharmacists are always glad to answer questions about rapid lateral flow testing, to explain how to use a kit correctly, and to help you decide whether a lateral flow test or a PCR test is right for your situation. Call into the pharmacy at 68 High Street, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 1ET, or telephone us on 01420 83176, and our team will be pleased to help.
