If you received Covid test kits several months ago, check the expiration date

[question everything]

Spouse has been having severe stomach ache and wondered whether this may be another manifestation of our friendly virus. Used one of the kits from last March, results came negative, but while reading the instructions I noticed that they will expire August 9..

[cate94]

1. Yes

Took a test and noticed the expiration date was a week away. I tested positive. So I went to a drive through and tested negative. Ugh. Tried a different brand at home test and oh yeah tested positive.

Take another test.

[piddyprints]

2. Some of them have extended expiration dates.

https://ihealthlabs.com/pages/news

We checked ours. The expiration dates are this month, but have been extended until January.

FWIW, we had a houseguest arrive with Covid symptoms a few weeks ago. We did several tests on her and ourselves over 10 days. Hers were consistently positive and ours were consistently negative, using tests from the same kits. We do not have any symptoms yet and are still testing negative. Fingers crossed.

Oh, and no more houseguests until Covid is a thing of the past.

[William769]

3. Good reminder, thanks.

[Ms. Toad]

4. As to the underlying question - yes.

Of the 25 (out of 100) on my recent trip to Mexico who admitted to coming down with COVID, about half started with what they thought were GI symptoms brought on by accidentally drinking the water.

A significant number people who have come down with the B.A. 4/5 variant have GI symptoms. Of those I know who tested during the GI period, none were positive - but they converted to positive a day or two AFTER the GI symptoms disappeared.

[RussBLib]

5. mine don't have expiration dates

I looked all over for one.

[MiniMe]

6. All of mine have expiration dates.

Double check on the package

[question everything]

9. Will try to take a picture of mine and will post. Tomorrow

[question everything]

12. Hope this helps

The way I read it, it was made on Feb 17 and expires Aug 9, though recent articles imply that the date can be extended.

[bamagal62]

7. Mine started with a really bad, sore, stomach ache.

I felt like someone had beaten my stomach with a baseball bat. Then the symptoms added on everyday. I kept testing negative until about day 4. Then I was positive. Sometimes it takes a while for the viral load to test positive. I hope you spouse feels better soon!

[question everything]

8. Groan. Thanks. Hot shower helped, for a while.

Ate some yogurt and clear broth.

Let's hope tomorrow will be better, but... will keep this in mind

[mentalsolstice]

10. We have never received test kits

My husband is 75, I’m 61 and on SSDI. Nothing in our mailbox. Are we doing something wrong?

[Native]

11. Medicare has it set up where you can go to a pharmacy & get 8 free kits every month.

You just show them your Medicare card. Be sure to call the participating pharmacy to make sure they have them in stock. We had no problem finding them. Called 2 CVS stores near me. One was out, but the other had a ton. Here's more info: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-diagnostic-tests#:~:text=Medicare%20now%20covers%20up%20to,if%20you%20have%20Part%20B.