These tests are very effective for determining whether or not a person is at or near the peak of infection. Antigen tests are often less expensive and faster. You can have your results within 30 minutes.

Antigen tests, often known as rapid tests, check for specific proteins on the virus’s surface. The rapid antigen test detects SARS-CoV-2 by identifying protein fragments associated with coronavirus and does not require laboratory investigation.

Who Should Undergo Covid Testing?

A rapid antigen test is appropriate for people who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has been infected. Symptoms that are visible include fever, cough, body pain, taste and/or olfactory loss, and breathing problems. Coronavirus symptoms vary, and some people with the virus show no signs or symptoms at all.

When Should I Get a Rapid Antigen Test?

You should undergo a rapid antigen test when you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, such as shortness of breath, cough, fever, and body aches. The test is also strongly recommended if you have had close contact (within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more) with someone who is COVID-19 positive.

Individuals who participated in activities that put them at increased risk for COVID-19 because they could not maintain the necessary social distance should also undergo rapid Covid tests as soon as possible. These activities may include travel, large social or mass events, and being in crowded indoor settings.

How Is Rapid Antigen Testing Done?

Although a longer nasal swab (nasopharyngeal swab) is preferred, a shorter nasal swab or throat swab can suffice. To obtain a sample of mucus, a health care practitioner inserts the swab into your nose or strokes the swab along the back of your throat. This can feel a little unsettling.

Swabbing both nostrils for the nasal sample may be necessary to gather enough mucus for the test. The swab is left in place for a few moments before being gently spun and drawn out. The sample is placed in a tube and submitted to a laboratory for testing.

How Does Rapid Antigen Covid Testing Work?

The COVID-19 antigen rapid test is a membrane-based immunoassay (a type of biochemical test) for detecting SARS-CoV-2 antigens in human nasopharyngeal swab samples. The test line is coated with SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.

When an extracted swab sample is placed on the test device, it reacts with the SARS-CoV-2 antibody-coated particles. The combination migrates upward on the membrane and reacts with the SARS-CoV-2 antibody in the test line region.

A colored line will emerge in the test line region if the sample contains SARS-CoV-2 antigens, indicating a positive result. No colored line will appear in the test line region if the sample does not contain SARS-CoV-2 antigens, indicating a negative result.

Interpreting Your Test Results

A negative rapid test result indicates that the test did not detect the coronavirus, whereas a positive result indicates that the test did detect the coronavirus and that you are extremely likely to have COVID-19.

While the rapid antigen test can get you results very quickly, it is important to remember that accuracy may vary. There is always the possibility that Covid testing will yield a misleading result. A false negative for diagnostic tests means the test incorrectly indicates you don’t have COVID-19, and a false positive means the test incorrectly says you do have COVID-19.

If you get a negative test, you should keep adopting COVID-19 prevention methods such as keeping a safe distance, cleaning your hands, and wearing masks. Even if your test results come back negative, you should stay at home and isolate yourself from people if you are experiencing symptoms. Consult your doctor to see if you need to be retested or for guidance on how to deal with your symptoms.

Contact Us to Learn More

Contact us today to learn more about Covid testing in Roseville. Modern Aesthetics is here to address all your questions and concerns regarding rapid antigen testing to detect the coronavirus.