what does a positive covid test look like

6 days ago 9
Nature

A positive COVID-19 test, particularly a rapid antigen test, looks like this:

  • There will be two colored lines visible on the test strip.
  • One line appears in the Control (C) region , and another line appears in the Test (T) region.
  • The presence of the line in the "T" region alongside the "C" line means the test is positive for COVID-19.
  • The lines can be bright or faint and still indicate a positive result. Even a faint line in the test area is considered positive.
  • The intensity of the line can vary depending on how much virus is present; a darker line usually means a higher viral load, while a faint line could indicate a lower viral load or that the person is near the end of the infection.
  • It is important to read the test results within the timeframe specified in the instructions, usually between 15 and 30 minutes after taking the test. Reading after this window can lead to inaccurate interpretations.

If the test shows only one line in the control region (C) and no line in the test region (T), the result is negative. If the control line (C) does not appear at all, the test is invalid and should be repeated. In summary, a positive COVID test shows two lines: one at "C" and one at "T," regardless of how faint the line at "T" is.