09/02/2021
Benefits of antigen tests
Antigen tests are:
Relatively inexpensive
Able to quickly detect whether a person has COVID-19. “The fact that antigen tests return a result within 15 to 30 minutes means that authorities and healthcare workers can quickly triage people and patients and manage them appropriately,”
Available in areas that are located far from pathology labs (where PCR tests are processed) and can assist with critical decision making in areas where outbreaks of COVID-19 are detected. Fast identification of people who have COVID-19 allows them to quickly be directed to self-isolate to control the spread of infection.”
So, what are antigen tests, and how do they work?
Facts about antigen tests:
Antigen tests (also called “rapid diagnostic tests” are often used to detect respiratory pathogens like the influenza virus which causes flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and now SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. They quickly and cheaply detect the presence of these viruses, so can show that someone is currently infected.
Antigens are viral proteins that are detectable in the upper respiratory tract in the acute phase on infection (when people are likely to infect others).
To carry out a test, antigens are sampled using swabs from the nose or throat – in a process carried out by a healthcare professional.
Once the sample has been obtained, it’s processed using a reagent fluid that breaks up the viral particles and expose the antigens detected by the test. Then, after a short time the sample is applied to the testing strip and a result is obtained.
Did you know?
Rapid antigen tests are more reliable when they are done on patients who have symptoms of COVID-19 and so likely have a high amount of virus particles in their system – called a high viral load.
This means that the timing of the test is crucial. Ideally a rapid antigen test should be done within the first five to seven days of the onset of symptoms.
