Just had a check and looks like service NSW are no longer giving free RAT tests out, any suggestions where else to pick up one?
Where Are You Buying a RAT Test from?
JimmyJohnson on 16/04/2024 - 19:05
Comments
If you have a hospital near you, check inside the front entrance or the front/help desk. Both I've been visiting recently (in Sydney) have loads of single packs and five packs to take, with expiry dates in 3 or more months.
Amazon? Normally next day delivery 5 tests for about $14
Curious whats the benefit/reason of testing with 'some' level of certainty from a RAT, especially around flu season? Does the outcome change whether you'd choose to share your unwell-ness with others?
(had this discussion recently with wife when she found out all the ones the kids got from school were out of date, and a kid was sick. Result of test would have made no diff to the decision of not sending them out into the world. )
If someone has recently recovered from covid, they are unlikely to catch covid from you, so if you have tested positive they don’t have to upend their life to avoid you, as they might if you could be spreading flu.
And if you are in contact with people who might be disproportionately impacted if you spread symptomless covid, being able to test whether you have a positive infection without symptoms is helpful, should you have been exposed to somebody with covid but have no symptoms.That.
Last time I got covid I almost had no symptoms but I was positive on RAT for a week. The family member who got it first didn't believe in RAT, so everyone had to miss work for two weeks.
Looking to see a doctor to get a sick certificate for work, they said I need to do a RAT test before coming in as they dont do over the phone consultation anymore
It's unlikely that expired tests won't continue to be useful. At worst they might be a little less effective. When the tests were produced there wasn't any data around about how long they were likely to last so manufacturers had to take a very conservative guess.
For $3 it's the cheapest diagnosis of a serious infection you'll ever get. My doctor charges like $3 a minute, or whatever.
Curious whats the benefit/reason of testing with 'some' level of certainty from a RAT,
Benefit is that it is a requirement to visit many people in nursing homes.
Not everyone has a life of privilege where it doesn’t matter if they get covid or not.
Still need them to visit people in many nursing homes.
Found Priceline had a pack of 5 for about $15
I know what a rat is so don’t need to test. I just go to Bunnings and get a trap
If you're near a hospital, go to the ED and they will have many near expiry date ones available for free.
Chemist.
Ask on your buy nothing group, there's bound to be people who have a stash when they were giving them out for free.
people who have a stash when they were giving them out for free.
Most likely would have expired by now.
RAT test kit?
Try RS components, well WES sells themLast month when we got COVID we bought them from the local Woolies/Coles they are sometimes hard to find there. We got the combined RAT/Influenza ones
I got a whole stack of free boxes from our local library last month…
I got a whole stack of free boxes from our local school last month…
I buy them online when they are on special. I keep some of the combo tests (that do flu, RSV and COVID) in the back of the cupboard for more serious symptoms.
People still buy these things? The last time I asked around, my mates passed me quite a few that they received from school for their kids.
Christ, I still have over 60 of them that I got from my employer and the school for the kids. Didn't even bother to check if they have expired or not.
If they are less than a year past expiry, you can check to see if they've been given an extended shelf-life.
Some, but not all manufacturers of approved rapid antigen tests (RATs) have extended the shelf-life of their products…You should contact the customer support number on the 'Instructions For Use' if you are unsure about using the test or its expiry date.
A bunch I picked up from the hospital had been stickered with an additional 12-months expiry with a notice explaining they were still good as per above.
Last lot I bought were $20 for 5 at the chemist. Had trouble finding them at supermarkets and wanted some same day.