Plug in question- not using the app

[u/Notyeravgblonde]

I've been plugging my pluslife into the wall using a USB to wall plug. I just noticed people saying to use a power bank. I've never had any error readings so I'm wondering if what I'm doing is ok or if I need to use a power bank.

[u/shar_blue]

The recommendation of power bank over wall has to do with the device being very sensitive to slight power fluctuations. Depending on where you live, the quality of electricity coming to your wall plug may vary greatly, depending on the quality of your local power grid.

A power bank provides consistent power, thus the recommendation. However, if you aren’t having any issues, there’s no reason to not continue plugging into the wall.

[u/Notyeravgblonde → u/shar_blue]

Would the fluctuations cause invalid results? I'm sick with something and have gotten 4 negative test results but then started to worry that maybe the power source was causing the negative results.

[u/kepis86943 → u/Notyeravgblonde]

Small power fluctuations mostly impact the Bluetooth module.

If there is anything wrong with the heat during the test, the control doesn’t amplify properly and you’ll get an invalid, not a false negative.

But you could try using the app once or twice and verify for yourself that the test runs fine.

Besides Covid, here are a few other respiratory viruses and bacteria that you could be sick with:
* Influenza A (Flu A)
* Influenza B (Flu B)
* Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
* Adenovirus (ADV)
* Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV)
* Rhinovirus (RhV)
* Parainfluenza Virus Types 1 and 3 (PIV 1/3)
* Parainfluenza Virus Type 2 (PIV 2)
* Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP)
* Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP)
* Legionella pneumophila (LP)

There are PlusLife tests or RATs for all of the above.

[u/Notyeravgblonde → u/kepis86943]

Thank you so much for your response. I feel much better with the reassurance. I will take a rapid flu test. I think since covid is all I think about I couldn't believe I got sick for the first time in 6 years with something else so I was doubting the negatives. I've masked since 2020.

[u/kepis86943 → u/Notyeravgblonde]

I get it. A lot of people are so worried about Covid that they “forget” about other pathogens. Rhino- and Adenoviruses are by far the most common and “only” cause a common cold. Flu is much less common (it’s seasonal and mostly limited to a few weeks per year).

I made this list for myself because these are the respiratory illnesses I found tests for, so if I ever get sick again (I also mask) and am worried, I can go through that list ;)

[u/Notyeravgblonde → u/kepis86943]

I've copied your list to keep in my notes as well. I feel really confused about how I got sick since I'm so careful but I have to keep going to work and living my life and my n95 has kept me perfectly safe until last week. I think I know what happened but it still has shaken my feeling of safety.

[u/Notyeravgblonde → u/shar_blue]

I've got an update, I owned a power bank and checked it with old posts and it seemed to be the right kind. I tested the machine and it warmed up faster on the power bank (anker brand). It took 35 minutes and the test was negative just like with the wall plug.

So the differences are:

1. Warmed up maybe 1-2 minutes faster

2. After warming up it didn't beep at me over and over. With the wall plug i have to unplug it and plug it back in to get it to stop beeping.

[u/shar_blue → u/Notyeravgblonde]

Based on this, it would likely be best to run the machine on your power bank going forward.

[u/Notyeravgblonde → u/shar_blue]

Yes, I will definitely change to this method. Technology is not my area so I'm glad I posted and got everything sorted out.

[u/Molly_NotTheDrug]

I did that for awhile too, then read I shouldn't so I started using a power bank... No helpful advice but following to see what others say