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Professor Goossens after his whole family tests positive at Christmas: ‘Beware of false positive results’

Winter temperatures also increase the risk of a false positive self-test. The story of of course professor Herman Goossens (UAntwerp) shows that once again. ‘Always store and perform your self-test at room temperature,’ says the virologist.

Professor Goossens was head of the testing task force until September, but he was also surprised on Sunday when all those present at a Christmas party turned out to be ‘weak positive’ in a self-test. He writes that on Twitter. Celebrated Christmas with (grand) children yesterday. Windows open and everyone outside (8°C) tested before entering the house. Lack: everyone weak positive. Everyone retested at room temperature: all negative. Beware of false positive results in winter. Known problem.’

With ‘known problem’, Goossens refers to a study that he had himself carried out at the beginning of 2021: ‘It showed that self-tests at temperatures of 2 to 4 degrees Celsius gave false positive results. But that it was even the case at 8 degrees, I was amazed, yes.’

It is not clear what is the cause of these incorrect results, according to Goossens. ‘Perhaps a chemical reaction occurs at temperatures that causes such a line on the self-test. That has nothing to do with the virus. But we’re still groping in the dark there.’

Goossens therefore advises everyone to only store and perform self-tests at room temperature. ‘Keep that test in your pharmacy cupboard. So not too hot either, because we know that the tests lose sensitivity at temperatures above 37 degrees. And as this weekend showed: so only perform at room temperature.’

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