These 10 Drinks Can Atomic number 82 to a Faux Positive COVID Test, New Study Says

As at-habitation testing kits abound more widely available, scientists detect a suspicious user hack.

September 24, 2021

The increasing number of at-home testing kits for COVID-19 makes it user-friendly to test for COVID-xix, plus considerably safer than risking exposure past going for testing at a public location. All the same, a group of infectious disease researchers have discovered that for someone who actually wants a positive COVID-19 examination outcome, getting it may be as easy every bit stopping past a convenience store'south beverage cooler.

A group of scientists studying tropical medicine at Germany's Tübingen Academy recently published a study in the International Journal of Communicable diseases. They noted that while PCR COVID-19 tests are still the aureate standard for accuracy, self-testing COVID-19 antigen kits are reasonably on-target and take led to efficient test results in schools and workplaces, not to mention homes and other common settings.

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But, the scientists added, there are simple ways a consumer can fabricate a positive COVID-19 lateral catamenia test: Past applying sure everyday beverages directly onto some COVID-19 lateral flow test cassettes.

And so, that'south exactly what the researchers did, using the Abbott Panbio COVID-19 Ag Lateral Flow Examination. Of the beverages they employed, they reported:

"We observed that all soft drinks (Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zippo, Fanta-Orange, Orange soft drink), energy drink (Cherry-red Bull), alcoholic beverages (vodka, whiskey, and brandy), commercially bottled mineral water, and carbonated mineral h2o acquired the appearance of a red test line."

That red test line, of grade, indicated positive infection.

The researchers explained the science behind this effect past saying information technology could exist due to "an altered pH in these solutions, which could modulate the function of the antibodies coated in the examination line." They besides added that when an at-home COVID-nineteen test is used correctly, it may be considered reliable.

That'due south if you tin can go your easily on one, as reports suggest some states are selling out of at-habitation COVID-19 tests.

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Krissy Gasbarre

Krissy is a senior news editor at Eat This, Non That!, managing morning and weekend news related to diet, wellness, restaurants and groceries (with a focus on beverages), and more than. Read more