Important study of #rapidtests in children
~50% Pos children still Pos for days AFTER @CDCgov guidance says they can return (at 5 days)
Among those tested via virus culture, ALL culture Pos specimens were Rapid Ag Pos and Vice Versa
Test to Exit!
1/
medrxiv.org/content/10.110…
~50% Pos children still Pos for days AFTER @CDCgov guidance says they can return (at 5 days)
Among those tested via virus culture, ALL culture Pos specimens were Rapid Ag Pos and Vice Versa
Test to Exit!
1/
medrxiv.org/content/10.110…
Importantly, numerous children were still #rapidtest Pos AND virus culture Pos as long as 14 days out!
Even though they had NO symptoms!
Symptoms often reflect how your body is doing with the virus...
Which is VERY different than whether you are infectious!
2/
Even though they had NO symptoms!
Symptoms often reflect how your body is doing with the virus...
Which is VERY different than whether you are infectious!
2/
This is a good opportunity to point out how magnificently different viral loads can be that are virus culture or Rapid Ag Pos
Some are 10^4 and some 10^8.5
So... even among specimens that are culture positive, there is a massive gradient in transmissibility
3/
Some are 10^4 and some 10^8.5
So... even among specimens that are culture positive, there is a massive gradient in transmissibility
3/
It's important to remember that being infectious isn't just Yes or No
It's a gradient:
Not infectious -->
Mildly infectious -->
Moderate -->
HIGH -->
Superspreader....
A faint rapid test band or a culture that takes 3-4 days (vs 4hrs...) to turn pos is likely mild
4/
It's a gradient:
Not infectious -->
Mildly infectious -->
Moderate -->
HIGH -->
Superspreader....
A faint rapid test band or a culture that takes 3-4 days (vs 4hrs...) to turn pos is likely mild
4/
But by far, the biggest take away from this paper is:
Do NOT assume you are no longer infectious just because your symptoms are gone and it's been 5 days.
In this study 50% kids were still potentially infectious (culture Positive & rapid test Pos) & No symptoms >5 days
5/
Do NOT assume you are no longer infectious just because your symptoms are gone and it's been 5 days.
In this study 50% kids were still potentially infectious (culture Positive & rapid test Pos) & No symptoms >5 days
5/
So if you are positive on a rapid test
Assume you are still infectious
Take the appropriate precautions to not infect those around you
Rapid Antigen Testing before leaving isolation is by far the BEST way to know whether you are still potentially infectious
6/
Assume you are still infectious
Take the appropriate precautions to not infect those around you
Rapid Antigen Testing before leaving isolation is by far the BEST way to know whether you are still potentially infectious
6/
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