It’s a diagnostic test measuring viral antigens. These are substances instructing your body to form an immune response to the infection.
Take note, antigens aren’t the same as antibodies. The latter appears after the former makes the signal. Depending on the setting, trained individuals can do an antigen test.
The PCR test is another type of diagnostic test for COVID. It helps detect viral genetic material molecules in the body. It’s an intensive test accredited laboratories perform.
Molecular tests are the standard for diagnosing COVID. However, these tests can take several days. On the other hand, non-PCR molecular tests detect coronavirus RNA more rapidly.

One test involves using loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). It’s a rapid test often used in hospitals and nursing homes. However, LAMP-based COVID tests are available for home use because of FDA’s emergency use authorization(EUA).
Rapid antigen, molecular, and antibody tests are point-of-care tests. They’re similar to at-home drug test kits, making them convenient for business owners. They return results within 15 minutes after getting a sample.

Compared to antigen tests, molecular or PCR tests are more reliable. PCR tests can detect a single coronavirus RNA molecule in a sample. On the other hand, rapid antigen tests need thousands of molecules before resulting in a positive. Rapid molecular tests enjoy similar COVID test accuracy levels. It usually means you’re not infected if the test results are negative. However, the sensitivity depends on the specific kit you’re using.

Rapid antigen tests are at their best during the early stages of COVID. The viral concentration is at its highest in your throat and nasal passages. At this point, you’re unlikely to experience the symptoms, but you remain contagious. Repeated antigen tests help since the viral concentration levels can get higher after a few hours. It will result in a positive even after one or more negative results from earlier tests. A rapid COVID antigen test five days after developing symptoms isn’t advisable. You might not have enough detectable antigens at that point. It will likely result in false-negative results.

The government shipped millions of testing kits to various facilities like nursing homes and schools. They’re available at point-of-care locations like pharmacies. Always ask your local public health authority for testing kit availability.

Most rapid tests use swabs for mucus collection. However, newer testing kits use saliva instead. The caveat is that it’s unclear whether the latter is as reliable as the former.

Lots of private and commercial laboratories develop and distribute new tests and treatments for COVID. They will continue to collect data to increase the accuracy and efficacy of these treatments.

Keep in mind, no COVID tests got official FDA approval. However, testing kits are available through their EUA. It means some tests aren’t as accurate because they skipped the FDA’s strict standards.

Regardless, PCR and molecular tests offer high accuracy levels. It’s a bright future for businesses since they can open without worrying about infected employees.