The world needs this test28 Oct 2020 11:20
Sorry for stating the obvious but I wish to share with you all a true story that I am experiencing right now which just emphasizes the importance of this LFT and how it will undoubtedly shape the future of this pandemic.
I am currently in West Africa and unfortunately have been dealing with quite a serious medical issue with an infection that requires treatment, something I am not comfortable getting done over here and so I had made plans to return to the UK however over two weeks ago I had extremely severe headaches, dizziness, body aches and a fever for 1-2 days. I thought at the beginning it was Malaria or related to the infection and started to panic. After doing the relevant tests it was not Malaria and my symptoms started to subside. In order to travel with practically all airlines nowadays a negative PCR test certificate is required and so I went and did the test, to my horror I was positive and the headaches, etc. were obviously symptoms of the Coronavirus. I was prescribed Hydroxychloroquine and told to wait a week before taking another test which I did and tested positive. They doubled the dose of the Hydroxychloroquine and told me to wait another week and guess what, I was positive again. So after 2.5 weeks and two PCR tests later and I still had the coronavirus but with absolutely no symptoms after the first 1-2 days which is surely a good indicator that my immune system had neutralized the virus and I am probably no longer infectious.
I've learnt to hate PCR tests and not just by how they are administered but I am convinced that it is detecting a very low viral load or dead virus particles and could continue to do so for 'x' amount of time. I am unable to return to the UK and get the treatment I need until this test returns a negative result.
Why am I telling you this, I am telling you because the world cannot evolve like this, other people I am sure are and will be in this situation whether it be medical issues, family bereavement or emergencies that require them to travel/return home and this is only one example of many, i.e. opening up the economy, schools, stadiums, visiting family, a level of normality, etc.
This morning I did a rapid antigen test from SD Biosensor and my result was negative. I guess the argument with this particular test is the sensitivity and this is where Avacta come in. I truly have patience and belief in what they are trying to achieve, when we say this test will be a game changer that's exactly what I think it will be. It will offer the highest sensitivity of any antigen test on the market and supersede PCR tests. This type of test and after my ongoing experience is worth waiting any amount of time on. This virus is still not fully understood, it is a global nightmare and that nightmare will continue. Avacta will solve one very big problem on the way to global recovery and the very science behind it will start to solve other problems the medical world today deem not possible.
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