I learned something for the first time just a little while ago.

@snowy22315 (208488)
United States
February 7, 2026 12:23pm CST
I did not k now that Covid tests expire. I thought once you had them they would be good until they were used..maybe 10 years later. Well anyway, just found out the one I had expired in 2023. I have another one here too I think, but bet that one is expired too. Someone like maybe sis told me this past fall Covid test kits expire. Was I the only one that didn't,t know this?
14 people like this
15 responses
7 Feb
I didn't know either I used one which had expired in 2023 as well It was ok though. It said negative
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (208488)
• United States
7 Feb
@Ineeddentures Not now, but if I get sick, I might want to. I rarely get sick though. The cold I had last Thanksigivng was the first one in about 4 or 5 years.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (208488)
• United States
7 Feb
I may go to the Health Department on Monday, I have a couple of questions to ask them anyway. See if I can score a new Covid test.
1 person likes this
7 Feb
@snowy22315 Do you need to test for COVID?
1 person likes this
@DianneN (254949)
• United States
8 Feb
Yes, I knew it. Found out the hard way. T read negative and I did have covid.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (208488)
• United States
8 Feb
Had you used an expired one?
1 person likes this
@DianneN (254949)
• United States
8 Feb
@snowy22315 Yes. I wasn’t aware there was an expiration date on it until I had covid the second time. It tested negative, but I felt crummy. I went to my doctor and tested positive.
1 person likes this
@much2say (57760)
• Los Angeles, California
8 Feb
When there were those government issued covid tests, I remember they extended the expiration date past whatever was on the box - not sure how long though.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (208488)
• United States
8 Feb
Really? Hmm.
@velvet53 (24417)
• Palisade, Colorado
7 Feb
I didn't know that either. I guess I need to check mine.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (208488)
• United States
7 Feb
Wouldn't,t hurt, if you have had them for awhile.
1 person likes this
@velvet53 (24417)
• Palisade, Colorado
7 Feb
@snowy22315 I have that on my list to do.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222165)
• United States
8 Feb
Yes, they expire. Mine are probably all expired.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (208488)
• United States
8 Feb
Although it is possible I may have had a slight infectuon, I never seriously thought I had Covid before.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
7 Feb
I never got one. So, I was not aware of it. I hope that they were not too expensive.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (208488)
• United States
7 Feb
I got them for free. I guess you get what you pay for .
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
13 Feb
@snowy22315 That's nice. No loss there
@AmbiePam (120231)
• United States
7 Feb
I don’t think I ever thought about it, really.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (208488)
• United States
7 Feb
I never thought about it, but it would suck if you had to use one..and find out it is expired I might go to the Department of Health and find out if they have some.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86385)
• United States
7 Feb
I remember them saying a couple of years ago that you could still use an expired covid test. They didn’t say what kind of accuracy you’d get, though.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (208488)
• United States
7 Feb
Not worth it .I'm tossing mine
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (40016)
• Toccoa, Georgia
7 Feb
I knew that for awhile.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (501836)
• Italy
8 Feb
At-home COVID-19 tests have an expiration date. Same as all medications.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (135354)
• Marion, Ohio
7 Feb
I remember them saying it on the news when the government was sending out free ones
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381357)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Feb
I did know this but I used to keep them a bit longer than the date suggested. I threw out the last of mine within the last week. They were well and truly past their use-by date.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (208488)
• United States
8 Feb
I decided I will keep one and toss the other until I can get a new test, although I shouldn't get Covid. I always get the shot.
1 person likes this
• United States
7 Feb
I didn't know, but I only took the test once, and I had Covid. That wasn't much fun.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (208488)
• United States
7 Feb
I am sure it wasn't. I always get a shot.
1 person likes this
@valherma00 (3624)
• Zagreb, Croatia (Hrvatska)
7 Feb
i didn't know it as well. hm. strange.
1 person likes this
@May2k8 (19787)
• Indonesia
8 Feb
All things have an expiry date, it's just that here, testing isn't free.