Buy Lateral Flow Test

To ensure you and your loved ones are topped up, you can buy COVID-19 Lateral Flow Tests directly from UK Meds online, avoiding a visit to the shops. By just clicking the Quick Checkout button and choosing the amount of tests you wish to purchase, you can have your lateral flow tests the very next day. You should always consult your doctor or healthcare provider if you feel you require COVID 19 treatment.

Order Later Flow Test

In the local Nottingham area? You can receive your tests in less than 20 minutes through Deliveroo!

Yes, it is legal to purchase a COVID-19 Lateral Flow Test online when shopping online with UK Meds. All of the medication we provide is 100% genuine and is dispensed by registered pharmacies. For prescription-only medications, you will need to complete our free online consultation form to ensure that a COVID-19 Lateral Flow Test is right for you.

Buy Lateral Flow Test Boots

Yes, you can currently buy a lateral flow test at Boots although, at the time of writing, lateral flow tests are currently cheaper at UK Meds. Additionally, if you would like to purchase more than one test, you can benefit from further savings at UK Meds.

Buy Lateral Flow Test Tesco

Yes, you can currently buy a lateral flow test at Tesco although, at the time of writing, lateral flow tests are currently cheaper at UK Meds. Additionally, if you would like to purchase more than one test, you can benefit from further savings at UK Meds.

Buy Lateral Flow Test Sainsburys

Yes, you can currently buy a lateral flow test at Sainsburys although, at the time of writing, lateral flow tests are currently cheaper at UK Meds. Additionally, if you would like to purchase more than one test, you can benefit from further savings at UK Meds.

Buy Lateral Flow Test Alpha XR

Yes, you can currently buy a lateral flow test at Alpha XR although, at the time of writing, lateral flow tests are currently cheaper at UK Meds. Additionally, if you would like to purchase more than one test, you can benefit from further savings at UK Meds.

Below are a list of the most common questions UK Meds customers ask us about lateral flow tests.

A Lateral Flow Test (LFT), also known as a "rapid test" or "LFT kit", is a device which will let you quickly determine whether you have a particular type of infection. There are many types of LFTs, and there is one designed to test for a COVID-19 infection (NHS, 2023).

The lateral flow test for COVID-19, to determine if you have COVID-19, is an antibody test that works by detecting whether your mucus contains the virus, by passing it through antibodies that are sensitive to SARS-CoV-2 antigens, without the need for laboratory equipment, like a PCR test would need (GOV.UK, 2023).

The COVID-19 rapid testing kit found for sale at UK Meds is a high sensitivity lateral flow antigen test pack.

Currently, as of 2023, you cannot get free COVID test kits from NHS services in the UK, as was the case during the height of the Coronavirus pandemic between 2020 and 2022, following Boris Johnson's announcement to end free testing for COVID in the UK (GOV.UK, 2022).

Free COVID Test Kits

However, there are a few exceptions for free testing according to NHS website (2023) and the UK Health Security Agency (2023). You may be eligible for a free NHS test if:

• If you work in a hospice or the healthcare sector
• If you're eligible for COVID-19 treatment due to a health condition

Whilst the general public can't get free tests for COVID anymore (as is also the case in Scotland (NHS Inform, 2023), the NHS have stated that if you would still like to get tested for COVID but are not eligible for a free lateral flow test, you can still pay for a NHS rapid lateral flow test from pharmacies or online retailers. You can order lateral flow tests from UK Meds and benefit from the best online prices and quick tracked delivery, if you require a rapid lateral flow test kit to check if you are COVID positive or COVID negative.

Yes, you can do a lateral flow test for COVID-19 from the comfort of your own home (WebMD, 2022), it's a coronavirus test that gives you flexibility and peace of mind.

UK Meds have created a Google Web Story to explain the differences between the common cold, COVID-19 and the flu virus. You can view it below and decide if you want to order a COVID test:

The liquid in a lateral flow test is a buffer solution, sometimes also referred to as an 'extraction buffer'. This clear liquid is similar to salty water but it's very pure and germ-free. After taking the LFT, you mix the buffer solution liquid with the swab, and it will collect any virus cells, soaking into the paper test strip (Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, 2021).

According to research studies into COVID-19, over 20% of individuals who tested with a positive result for COVID reported no symptoms / were asymptomatic (Augusto et al, 2023). Additionally, 1 in 3 people are not aware that they are COVID positive (GOV.UK, 2022).

This highlights the importance of access to rapid lateral flow tests. Lateral flow tests and regular testing are important in gaining an early diagnosis, stopping the spread of the virus and protecting vulnerable individuals as well as yourself and visitors to your immediate surroundings. Always consult your doctor or healthcare provider if you feel you may be COVID positive to ensure that you receive the most appropriate professional medical advice for your individual requirements.

Lateral flow home COVID 19 testing kits are extremely easy to use and produce a COVID 19 test result in just 15-30 minutes at home, unlike PCR tests that can take days to reach you after being processed in a lab. Typically, a lateral flow test will take 15 minutes to complete and the results of the test, to determine if you are COVID positive or COVID negative, will be ready in the 30 minutes following completion of the rapid flow test (GOV.UK, 2021).

You can see the exact date delivery to expect at the 'Order within' timer above. You can know the exact estimated time of delivery when you place your Covid-19 lateral flow testing kit order. Shipping is typically within 48 hours, or it may be overnight depending on the time of day you place your purchase.

Order Covid-19 lateral flow tests today from UK Meds and get overnight shipping. You will see during the checkout process the expected time of delivery of your lateral flow test.

Lateral flow tests take a sample from the nose or mouth using a swab, which is then mixed with a buffer solution, with drops being added to a lateral flow device. Then the virus fragments pass along the strip within the lateral flow device where they can bind to labelled antibodies, which then shows up as a test line if the virus is detected, unlabelled antibodies provide a control line to show the test has worked. These tests screen for the SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, during first 1-3 weeks of infection.

Video: How to do a COVID-19 Self Test (rapid antigen test)

In the video below by the Department of Health and Social Care, Dr Amir Khan explains how to do a COVID-19 Self Test (rapid antigen test):

Alternatively, for an animated take on instructions for using a lateral flow test watch the video by the Department of Health and Social Care providing an introduction to rapid lateral flow testing:

What are the steps to use a lateral flow test?

Taking a lateral flow test from chemist is extremely easy. Before taking the test, ensure you have completed the following steps:

1. Wash your hands with soap or use a hand sanitiser
2. Lay out all the items in the test kit on a clean surface
3. Ensure your test tube contains buffer solution
4. Place the tube in the tube holder
5. Blow your nose
6. Wash your hands again

Now that your test is set up and ready to be taken, simply follow these steps:

1. Use the nasal swab to wipe the inside your nose as set out in the test kit instructions
2. Place the swab into the liquid inside the test tube, cotton swab first as to test your sample
3. Ensure the swab is thoroughly coated in liquid by lightly squeezing the bottom of the tube and stirring the swab within the tube
4. Dispose of the swab
5. Using the nozzel (there is one for every test), place 2 drops of your sample onto the test in the circular part of the lateral flow device
6. Wait for 15 minutes - do not wait longer as this can affect the result
7. Read your result

Order your at-home antigen home test kits from UK Meds today.

A fit-to-fly certificate, also called a fit-to-fly letter, is a certificate or letter from a doctor stating that you are fit to fly (Nomad Travel, 2021). Some airlines may require you to get a fit-to-fly certificate depending on where you are travelling to. We have an at-home antigen test that allows you to be tested for Covid-19 in the convenience of your home. After getting a negative result, you can take a digital photo of your test and send it to an email provided. A doctor will issue a certificate letter stating you are fit to fly, within 60 minutes of your email.

A fit to fly home test is the same lateral flow test you can obtain from this page, that is reviewed by a doctor with an issued certificate. These tests cost more than the lateral flow test available on this page.

If you need a Covid-19 test for flight, verify from your airline whether you need a fit to fly test kit for travel, or if a simple lateral flow test is sufficient.

Whether a lateral flow Covid-19 test will remain private depends on your use. If you simply wish to know whether you have Covid, you can dispose of the kit immediately after and the results will remain completely private. On the other hand, if you want to use the test results for your work or travel purposes, the people you share your results with will know if you test positive for Covid-19. Otherwise, the test remains completely private.

We have lateral flow tests for sale here at UK Meds.

There are many names for lateral flow tests, which include rapid tests, Covid-19 tests and antigen tests. Antigen tests will determine whether you have Covid-19 antigens in your system (GOV.UK, 2023). An antigen test for travel may include a Fit to Fly certificate requirement, depending on the airline you are flying with. Ask prior to flight what type of requirements they have to prove you test negative for Covid-19.

• Order Coronavirus Rapid Lateral Flow Tests - Gov.uk
• NHS: Who Can Get a Free NHS COVID-19 Rapid Lateral Flow Test
• NHS England: Lateral Flow Antigen Test FAQs
• Report Test Result - NHS Test and Trace
• Lateral Flow Testing: New Rapid Tests to Detect COVID-19 - UK Health Security Agency Blog
• BMJ: British Medical Journal

• How to Tell the Difference Between a Cold, COVID, or the Flu - UK Meds Blog
• COVID Symptoms Timeline: How Coronavirus Symptoms Change Day by Day - UK Meds Blog
• Tips on Social Distancing - UK Meds Blog