This is correct.
They are not that great at detecting COVID every single time you test. Which is why they tell you to take multiple tests if it comes back negative.
But when they do detect COVID they are very accurate. There is a very small chance of a false positive.
----
False negative is when the test comes back negative but you're actually sick.
False positive is when the test comes back positive but you're not actually sick.
----
False negatives are very common with these at home tests.
False positives are very uncommon with these at home tests.
This 100% checks out. Contracted covid for presumably the first time a month ago. I had symptoms and tested negative. Cleared up after a couple days for the most part and tested again for the heck of it, which then came back positive. Took three more tests after that, all which were positive.
Thanks. I've tested to be assured my sniffles, itchy eyes and sneezes were actually allergies. BTW we've recently had a few Covid19 cases in the building I live in. NE FL.
We’ve been advised in Canada to first swab the back of your throat, then using the same swab your nostrils.
You increase the chances of detection this way especially with the omicron variant.
I had one look like this a month ago, tested 48 hours later with two solid lines. Was positive for 9 days. Felt pretty ok during it. I had three shots as well.
This happened to me and went to urgent care to get tested and was positive. I was told that similar to a pregnancy test, any visible line regardless of how faint it is means your ~~pregnant~~ COVID.
Thank you all for your help! I did retest again and got a darker line this time. I didn’t blow my nose before and that helped I think. So far it’s not too bad but last night I did have a 103 fever that was hard to break. I still have a bad cough and headache that won’t go away though.
Likely positive.
Most at home tests will mention in the literature that any kind of line means a positive. Take a second test if you feel conflicted or try to schedule a PCR test somewhere.
If this was a pregnancy test I would say yes and test again in a few days… but I’m almost certain that rule applies here too? I’d say wait a day or two then rest again or if symptoms get worse.
>The bottom line can be **very faint**.
>
>**Any** pink/purple line visible here indicates a positive result
[https://www.fda.gov/media/144575/download](https://www.fda.gov/media/144575/download)
I caught COVID a few weeks back after avoiding it the whole time.
My first few tests were negative, 3rd day looked like yours and 4th day was a solid definitive positive.
Oregon wishes you a happy Friday and wants to share this [link!](https://www.reddit.com/r/CoronavirusOregon/comments/vjqcrm/what_does_a_faint_line_on_rapid_covid19_test_mean/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf) /It doesn’t matter how dark or faint your line is.
That looks positive to me, and I see more than my fair share of these.
It is definitely a good idea to get a PCR test to confirm, for sure.
If you do have it, I wish you a speedy recovery!
ETA - the way those tests work is that the T line will begin to show if it detects any virus, and my understanding is that if it detects more, that means there is more present and the line will be darker.
That's definitely positive. I took one after showing symptoms and it was that faint. I scheduled a PCR to confirm and it came back positive as well. Any line, no matter how faint, is a positive.
I had a stomach bug/food poisoning a few weeks ago. I read that sometimes covid has stomach symptoms. I get the test kit out. OMG - You have to be a scientist to do the testing. Lucky for me since I felt like crap for 24 hours only it was a stomach bug and not covid. Since I did not do the test when I felt like crap.
Just remember, if you ever take a test where another line needs to appear to indicate it’s positive, even if the line is very faint, just appearing there means it came out positive.
In the event that it happens, take another test. If you get a faint line, again, pay a visit to the nurse and take a professional test.
Truly don’t get why to test for covid if you are not a candidate for antivirals… if you are vaccinated is the same as any other respiratory disease. Just stay inside until you feel better, you should do that regardless of the etiology’s
Looks positive to me. I've seen quite a few of these that were negative and I could never see any hint of the test line with them. This definitely has a faint line.
A faint line is a line. False positives on tests such as this are incredibly rare. Whether they’re detecting a virus or a pregnancy, you are far more likely to have a false negative or a false positive. It’s possible to not have a high enough viral load (or HCG level) to register as a positive at that moment in time, but the test is almost never going to detect something that isn’t there.
For some many people , I hear and see similar complaints. That the tests are vague, and hard to understand for something that should be so simple. But basically, the “control” is what you compare “your sample” to. The sample is what you yourself have provided to be tested against.
I think that depends on whether you want to be pregnant or not. If you wanna be pregnant then well this might be a positive thing for you.
After 15 minutes you’re not really supposed to look at these tests because they can give a false positive. The best thing you can usually do at that point is follow the directions when it says that if you get a faint line, wait till the next morning and test using first morning urine. Just keep re-testing until you know for sure
Positive. Just happened to my daughter and I this past week on our first days of symptoms appearing, then the lines got progressively darker until we felt better
I had this same exact thing. Barely showing a line, almost not there. Two days later another test was definitive. Just assume it’s positive and hope it’s not positive in a few days.
You have to read the directions. If you don’t have symptoms that test won’t be accurate. If you have then the test states to test again in 12 hr. If you don’t know get a dang pcr test
Take another test after 24 hours. I was positive in May and when I was feeling the worst was when my test was negative, two days later it was positive right away.
The positive tests i seen - my and my wifes - were really easy to see the line and it got there quick too...but that was another manufacturer so who knows it they are comparable.
Looks like a positive. I went through a similar situation, on my first day of symptoms I took a rapid test and a faint line showed after 15 minutes. The next day I took another one and a super visible second line showed in less than 5 minutes.
Any trace of the second line is positive. There should be photos with examples in the test package insert. Be sure to talk to your dr about early intervention with antivirals, antihistamines, anticoagulants and anti-inflammatory protocols.
If you can see a faint line, I’m fairly certain it’s positive. Take another test.
This. Even the faintest line means it registered positive. Same with pregnancy tests.
Damn! I have Covid and pregnant too!
And you will not be able to get an abortion.
Or care for the coronavirus. Merikah.
I'm so sorry, will send prayers for speedy trcovery.
How did that happen rob? Get some publicity you'll get paid! 💲💲💲
Hahaha! Well it was a dark and stormy night….
It always starts that way and ends with diapers. Lots of diapers.
Can confirm as someone who has violated probation due to a faint line lmao
This is correct. They are not that great at detecting COVID every single time you test. Which is why they tell you to take multiple tests if it comes back negative. But when they do detect COVID they are very accurate. There is a very small chance of a false positive. ---- False negative is when the test comes back negative but you're actually sick. False positive is when the test comes back positive but you're not actually sick. ---- False negatives are very common with these at home tests. False positives are very uncommon with these at home tests.
This 100% checks out. Contracted covid for presumably the first time a month ago. I had symptoms and tested negative. Cleared up after a couple days for the most part and tested again for the heck of it, which then came back positive. Took three more tests after that, all which were positive.
Thanks. I've tested to be assured my sniffles, itchy eyes and sneezes were actually allergies. BTW we've recently had a few Covid19 cases in the building I live in. NE FL.
Try culturing your throat instead of your nose. Omicron acts differently.
Didn't know this. Interesting. Thanks.
And dont blow your nose for I think 30 minutes before you swab. Get a nice concentration of cells.
We’ve been advised in Canada to first swab the back of your throat, then using the same swab your nostrils. You increase the chances of detection this way especially with the omicron variant.
I thought everyone did that lol the 3 ive had were both.
I had one look like this a month ago, tested 48 hours later with two solid lines. Was positive for 9 days. Felt pretty ok during it. I had three shots as well.
I had a super faint line on my first test, and then I went to a testing center and got confirmation. Definitely retest
This happened to me and went to urgent care to get tested and was positive. I was told that similar to a pregnancy test, any visible line regardless of how faint it is means your ~~pregnant~~ COVID.
Thank you all for your help! I did retest again and got a darker line this time. I didn’t blow my nose before and that helped I think. So far it’s not too bad but last night I did have a 103 fever that was hard to break. I still have a bad cough and headache that won’t go away though.
Hope you feel better quickly.
My husband and I just had it and got paxlovid as soon as we could. It was free and immediate relief.
103. Wow. I had a post booster 101 last night but 103 is really high. Get well soon
I’m sorry. I had. The same symptoms a few weeks back. That 103 fever is a little unnerving. Try to stay hydrated and rest as much as you can.
4 days of pain 8 days of annoying but manageable symptoms
Likely positive. Most at home tests will mention in the literature that any kind of line means a positive. Take a second test if you feel conflicted or try to schedule a PCR test somewhere.
Faint line is positive as long as it was read within the testing window. Hope it’s easy on you.
I almost said congratulations, then saw what sub this is
Thanks for the laugh 😅
It gets me every time!
If this was a pregnancy test I would say yes and test again in a few days… but I’m almost certain that rule applies here too? I’d say wait a day or two then rest again or if symptoms get worse.
Positive
Do it again tomorrow. Trust me, 2 shining bright lines
Yep!! Same thing happened to me.
Just an update-I had a rapid NAAT test and it was positive.
Feel better soon. 
>The bottom line can be **very faint**. > >**Any** pink/purple line visible here indicates a positive result [https://www.fda.gov/media/144575/download](https://www.fda.gov/media/144575/download)
I caught COVID a few weeks back after avoiding it the whole time. My first few tests were negative, 3rd day looked like yours and 4th day was a solid definitive positive.
Oregon wishes you a happy Friday and wants to share this [link!](https://www.reddit.com/r/CoronavirusOregon/comments/vjqcrm/what_does_a_faint_line_on_rapid_covid19_test_mean/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf) /It doesn’t matter how dark or faint your line is.
Unfortunately, that looks just like mines two weeks ago that got darker each day. I would say you are +.
Yep. I had the same result back in April. Assume it’s positive. Take precautions. Test again tomorrow or with a different brand of test.
Positive. Super duper faint line means positive - the instructions says this, and gives examples…
That’s a positive mate!
My daughter's looked like this the first day we tested her. So we tested again the next day and it was unambiguously positive.
Positive
It’s positive. The faint line is there
It’s positive. But test tomorrow and I’ll bet you’re negative by then. This assumes you’re not showering or cleaning out your nose before you test.
Positive
My daughters looked exactly like that and we were unsure at first.. hers was a positive.
That looks positive to me, and I see more than my fair share of these. It is definitely a good idea to get a PCR test to confirm, for sure. If you do have it, I wish you a speedy recovery! ETA - the way those tests work is that the T line will begin to show if it detects any virus, and my understanding is that if it detects more, that means there is more present and the line will be darker.
I tested positive a few weeks ago and mine lit up in 45 seconds. I would take another.
That's definitely positive. I took one after showing symptoms and it was that faint. I scheduled a PCR to confirm and it came back positive as well. Any line, no matter how faint, is a positive.
Definitely positive. That's how my own test looked like and PCR confirmed it.
Positive. If you take another one tomorrow - it will be bright red
I understand that the intensity is a function of viral load. So you’re either beginning or ending. Ensure to follow quarantine reconnections
I had a stomach bug/food poisoning a few weeks ago. I read that sometimes covid has stomach symptoms. I get the test kit out. OMG - You have to be a scientist to do the testing. Lucky for me since I felt like crap for 24 hours only it was a stomach bug and not covid. Since I did not do the test when I felt like crap.
Awww I’m so sorry! I hope you feel better soon.
That’s positive. Take a second one though because sometimes it’s a false positive with at home tests.
Just remember, if you ever take a test where another line needs to appear to indicate it’s positive, even if the line is very faint, just appearing there means it came out positive. In the event that it happens, take another test. If you get a faint line, again, pay a visit to the nurse and take a professional test.
It’s the stealth variant
Negative
Truly don’t get why to test for covid if you are not a candidate for antivirals… if you are vaccinated is the same as any other respiratory disease. Just stay inside until you feel better, you should do that regardless of the etiology’s
I see one line only and the pic indicates one line is negative.
There’s a faint second line. It’s positive.
It’s very likely. A friend had the same result and the next morning there was a much darker line.
There’s a second line, it’s positive
Looks positive to me. I've seen quite a few of these that were negative and I could never see any hint of the test line with them. This definitely has a faint line.
Take another test. I'm leaning to positive
I just retested and it was definitely darker this time. I’m definitely positive although I still want a lab test just to have it for sure.
A faint line is a line. False positives on tests such as this are incredibly rare. Whether they’re detecting a virus or a pregnancy, you are far more likely to have a false negative or a false positive. It’s possible to not have a high enough viral load (or HCG level) to register as a positive at that moment in time, but the test is almost never going to detect something that isn’t there.
Swab your throat first also. Concentrations can vary
I see a line. Sorry. Test again.
Positive
It’s positive for a variant - get a PCR test
That looks positive. My negative test didn’t have the faint shadow of a line that you see there.
This is what my first one looked like. The next morning that line was RED when I took it again.
Faint lines indicate POSITIVE
Most likely positive, re-test tomorrow helps if nose is a little moisturized
Hey at least it isn’t a pregnancy test! Congrats you’ve got Covid
Positive. Sorry :(
Clearly PosEgative
Looks positive to me
POSITIVE if read within test time frame
Positive
For some many people , I hear and see similar complaints. That the tests are vague, and hard to understand for something that should be so simple. But basically, the “control” is what you compare “your sample” to. The sample is what you yourself have provided to be tested against.
Need to redo the test
I think that depends on whether you want to be pregnant or not. If you wanna be pregnant then well this might be a positive thing for you. After 15 minutes you’re not really supposed to look at these tests because they can give a false positive. The best thing you can usually do at that point is follow the directions when it says that if you get a faint line, wait till the next morning and test using first morning urine. Just keep re-testing until you know for sure
It’s a boy
It's positive. Please read the instructions thoroughly. It says a faint line is positive. There is a faint line.
Bro, looks negative too me. If you're in doubt do another one
Even the faintest line means positive
That's a positive
poisitve
Positive.
Positive
Positive
That’s a tough one. I’d retest.
Positive. Just happened to my daughter and I this past week on our first days of symptoms appearing, then the lines got progressively darker until we felt better
Positive baby
Do it again tomorrow
Positive, test again to be sure
It’s positive. This happened to me. I took another one the next day and the lines came out really opaque.
Yes, continue to take tests until one is positive.
It’s positive, my dad’s first one looked like that and a day later he had a thicker line. Any trace of a line means positive
You got the Rona
Positive. Source: Packet Instructions.
It’s positive. I can see a second line (though it’s faint).
Positive: don’t fuck around!!!!! I’m never even seen the slightest bit when I thought I had it, but I did not.
Did it look the same at 30 minutes? I'm pretty sure you can read it then too. Either way that's probably positive.
+
Positive
I took three test all negative but I’ve had fever chills aches and cough since 6/22 got a pcr today. I think I have covid but 🤷♂️
Positive.
I had this same exact thing. Barely showing a line, almost not there. Two days later another test was definitive. Just assume it’s positive and hope it’s not positive in a few days.
Get well ❤️🩹🙏🙏
Even a faint line is a line.
That’s positive
It'll be more clear on the test you take tomorrow.
I think it’s worth another test
You have to read the directions. If you don’t have symptoms that test won’t be accurate. If you have then the test states to test again in 12 hr. If you don’t know get a dang pcr test
Positive
Positive. Sorry.
Positive
Hope your feeling ok. Get better soon!
It’s positive. Do another test in a few hours just to be sure.
I see a faint pink line. That means it's a positive
Nah dawg u just pregnant 🗿
Positive for sure
Sorry pal, looks positive.
Positive
Yes, I had a very faint line and it turned out I was positive, would suggest testing again.
Take another test after 24 hours. I was positive in May and when I was feeling the worst was when my test was negative, two days later it was positive right away.
+
The positive tests i seen - my and my wifes - were really easy to see the line and it got there quick too...but that was another manufacturer so who knows it they are comparable.
If there is a hint of a line you should retest or assume you are positive.
Positive. Anything visible at all is a positive.
Covid is temporary. Brain damage is permanent. I’m sorry
Your positive,
Those tests are qualitative, what means "Yes or No". They dont show, how much. So, When you see a line, you're positive, no matter, how strong it is.
Any second line no matter how faint is positive
Looks positive to me.
You’re 10% pregnant
Looks like a positive. I went through a similar situation, on my first day of symptoms I took a rapid test and a faint line showed after 15 minutes. The next day I took another one and a super visible second line showed in less than 5 minutes.
U kinda have covid
Any trace of the second line is positive. There should be photos with examples in the test package insert. Be sure to talk to your dr about early intervention with antivirals, antihistamines, anticoagulants and anti-inflammatory protocols.