Ireland’s most recent wave of Covid-19 infection is seeing thousands of people each day taking at-home antigen tests at the first sight of symptoms.
Health officials have been pushing for people to self-isolate at the earliest stage of potential infection to ensure hospitals don’t come under intense pressure once again.
Although there are very few people who have not taken an antigen test at some point in this pandemic, there is still some confusion over whether or not an incredibly faint line is indicating a positive or negative case.
READ MORE: Covid antigen test mistakes - why you're not getting the right results
As more and more people take to the internet in search of an answer, an NHS doctor has explained what each type of result can mean.
Generally speaking, if you follow the attached instructions to a tee then you should receive a very clear result either way - a line next to "C" means the test has worked as intended with "C" standing for control.
Whereas, if you see a line next to "T" that indicates a positive result for Covid-19.
However, more and more people are returning a very faint line next to the "T" so one doctor took to Instagram a while back to explain what this means.
Dr Nathan Hudson-Peacock said that each kit has a window of around 30 minutes, and he explained: "You do a lateral flow test (LFT, aka rapid antigen test), and it shows a very faint line next to the T. What does this mean?
"Note: regardless of the LFT result, if you are symptomatic, you should isolate and book a PCR.
"Essentially, if *any* line appears before the end of the interpretation window (check leaflet, often this is 30 minutes), then this is a *positive* test and you must isolate and book a PCR. The picture above is my positive LFT from this morning, and I have confirmed Covid.
"However, if the faint line appears after the 30-minute interpretation window, it means it is not a positive result."
He went on to write: "The next question is: does a faint line after the interpretation window mean anything? Note: the following is my own views only.
"If the faint line appears after the window, the most likely cause is either that there has been some contamination (e.g. food or drink, or some other weak contaminant), or there are just very low levels of the virus.
“If it is the latter, and obviously assuming you are asymptomatic at this point, then you are unlikely to be a transmission risk."
READ NEXT:
Professor Luke O'Neill says new Covid strain may be most infectious virus EVER
Sligo community devastated as granny who died in N15 crash named locally
Teen critical in hospital after falling off bonnet of car in Co Kerry
How much does it cost to run a fan as Met Eireann forecast 26C 'mini-heatwave'
Woman discovers she's been saying 'chest of drawers' wrong - and she's not alone
Get breaking news to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter .
