March 10, 2025

When You Need More Than At-Home Testing—HNL Lab Medicine Has You Covered

At-Home Testing May Not Be Enough–HNL Lab Medicine Can Help You Get the Right Answers

At-home testing for COVID-19 and the flu has become more common, offering convenience for those who prefer to test from the comfort of their own homes. However, there are some important limitations to these tests that many people may not realize.

While these tests can be helpful, they may not always be as reliable or accurate as the tests done by healthcare professionals ¹. That’s where HNL Lab Medicine comes in! By visiting your local urgent care, you can get a full range of tests, including for COVID-19, the flu, and even RSV, all at the same time. This can help you get the right diagnosis faster, leading to quicker and more effective treatment.

 

The Limits of At-Home Testing

At-home tests rely on self-collection methods which can sometimes lead to incorrect results. At-home COVID-19 tests may have limited efficacy when it comes to detecting the virus within the first 48 hours of infection ¹.

Results can vary depending on several factors, such as the specific COVID-19 variant and the intensity of symptoms ¹.

The accuracy of these tests also depends on how well you follow the instructions. With mistakes in the process, you may get false negatives or false positives, which can lead to confusion and delay treatment.

 

Faster Diagnosis with Professional Testing

When you visit an urgent care center like those partnered with HNL Lab Medicine, testing is performed by trained healthcare professionals who know exactly how to take samples and handle testing equipment. Testing can also be performed at any of our Patient Service Centers with a lab order from your doctor.

This ensures that your results are accurate, and if you’re dealing with multiple symptoms, you can have testing done for COVID-19, the flu, and even RSV in one visit.

By getting all of these tests done at the same time, you can quickly figure out the cause of your symptoms. This is important because knowing what’s making you feel unwell allows doctors to start the right treatment faster. Whether it’s a prescription or just the right advice, prompt action means your recovery could be quicker and more effective.

 

Why Visiting an Urgent Care Center Is a Better Choice

While it may seem easier to take an at-home test, there are a number of reasons why going to an urgent care center for professional testing is a better choice:

  • More reliable results - Healthcare providers know how to administer tests correctly and can give you accurate results faster.
  • Simultaneous testing for multiple viruses - You can get tested for COVID-19, flu, and RSV all in one visit, giving you a clearer picture of what’s going on.
  • Faster treatment - The sooner we know what’s making you sick, the quicker we can help you feel better with the right treatment.
  • Specialized testing - In some cases, like with H5N1, you’ll need a healthcare provider to perform the test. We’re equipped to provide this testing if your provider determines it is necessary.

At HNL Lab Medicine, our goal is to make sure you get the answers you need quickly and accurately. We understand that visiting a healthcare provider can be intimidating for some, but we’re here to make the process as easy and comfortable as possible. By testing for multiple infections at once and staying on top of emerging threats, we can help protect your health and provide the best care possible.

 

REFERENCES
¹ Høeg, T. B., & Prasad, V. (2023). Rapid antigen testing for COVID-19: Decreasing diagnostic reliability, potential detrimental effects and a lack of evidence to support continued public funding of community-based testing. Public health in practice (Oxford, England), 6, 100451. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhip.2023.100451.