Recent Blog Articles
Swimming lessons save lives: What parents should know
Strong legs help power summer activities: Hiking, biking, swimming, and more
What is a successful mindset for weight loss maintenance?
French fries versus almonds: Calorie for calorie, which comes out on top?
Summer camp 2022: Having fun and staying safe
Finding balance: 3 simple exercises to steady your steps
An action plan to fight unhealthy inflammation
How to recognize and tame your cognitive distortions
LATE: A common cause of dementia you’ve never heard of
How to break a bad habit
Diseases & Conditions
Should we use rapid COVID tests before gatherings?
- By Toni Golen, MD, Contributor, and
- Hope Ricciotti, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Women's Health Watch
Ask the doctors
Q. My family members want to get together for a party this holiday season. Would it reduce our risk of COVID if we all agreed to take an over-the-counter rapid test in the morning before coming to the event?
A. It’s possible that this approach might help reduce the likelihood that someone who is infected comes to the gathering. An August research letter published online by JAMA Network Open showed that direct antigen rapid tests, which can be purchased at your local drugstore, may have some value in helping to quickly identify people who have COVID before they expose others.
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online for immediate access to health news and information from Harvard Medical School.
- Research health conditions
- Check your symptoms
- Prepare for a doctor's visit or test
- Find the best treatments and procedures for you
- Explore options for better nutrition and exercise
I'd like to receive access to Harvard Health Online for only $4.99 a month.
Sign Me UpAlready a member? Login ».
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
Free Healthbeat Signup
Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox!
