The government is once again offering Americans four free at-home Covid tests.
You can order yours on this website.
But officials are warning everyone -- don’t be alarmed if the tests you receive look like they’re expired. Experts say those tests are still effective.
When the at-home Covid tests were first manufactured, it was thought they may have a shorter shelf life.
The tests can expire, explained Dr. Daniel Rhoads, a microbiologist for the Cleveland Clinic.
“Most of the over-the-counter SARS-CoV-2 tests look for the antigen found on the virus. That’s the protein coating, and it uses antibodies to do that. So over time, those antibodies can kind of wear out. They can degrade. Just like food in your cabinet has an expiration date, the tests have an expiration date,” said Rhoads.
However, additional testing has proved many Covid tests last much longer than the printed date.
“You can look up your tests on the FDA’s website because a lot of the expiration dates have been lengthened beyond what’s printed on the package because the companies that make them do studies, and they show over time, if the test holds up, that they can extend that expiration date beyond the initial expected expiration,” explained Rhoads.
If a person uses an expired Covid test that hasn’t been extended, there is a risk getting a “false negative.” That means testing negative even when you actually have Covid.
However, the opposite is generally true for a “false positive.”
If the expired test shows a positive result, it’s typically accurate.
To be on the safe side, use a test that is not expired or that you verify has an extended expiration date. You can check those dates by clicking here.