AMERICANS are once again front and centre when it comes to dangerous "remedies" for the pandemic virus, with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issuing a special safety communication about misuse of at-home COVID-19 tests.
The agency said it had received a number of reports of adverse outcomes after people incorrectly used the reagent which is part of the tests, including sticking it up their nose or using it as eye drops.
"The liquid test solution is not supposed to touch your body," the FDA warned, adding that children had also been injured after swallowing the liquid.
FDA-authorised at-home tests use similar technology to Rapid Antigen Tests, with nasal swab samplings intended to be combined with the solution and dripped onto a test card.
"The liquid solution in some tests may contain chemicals like sodium azide, which may cause harm if swallowed or if it comes in contact with skin, nose, mouth or eyes," the FDA noted.
"Keep all parts of at-home COVID-19 test kits out of reach from children and pets before and after use," the agency recommended, urging users to read instructions carefully, not touch the liquid solution and "use only the swab in the test kit to collect a nasal sample".
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