Limitations of the Rapid 15 Minute Antigen Test
Most countries will only accept PCR testing as validation that travelers are fit-to-fly.
Antigen tests are not suitable for testing asymptomatic patients and are indicated for use in symptomatic patients only. Antigen tests are only reliable when a high viral load is detectable, usually 3 days into an infection, which means you must be symptomatic to know this. Antigen tests don't have the sensitivity to detect smaller viral loads that appear early in the infection and will only produce a positive result on days 3-7 of the infection. This is why PCR testing remains the best test for asymptomatic patients. In fact, the CDC states that the PCR test is still the gold standard for COVID-19 testing and recommends a positive Antigen test be confirmed by a PCR test. If you get a negative Antigen test, it doesn't mean you don't have COVID-19.
The “gold standard” for clinical diagnostic detection of SARS-CoV-2 remains RT-PCR. Thus, it may be necessary to confirm a rapid antigen test result with a nucleic acid test, especially if the result of the antigen test is inconsistent with the clinical context. (cdc.gov)
Antigen Tests Do Have Their Place
Antigen tests are suitable for rapidly screening large groups frequently because of the low cost associated with the test. Antigen testing is the method being chosen by some universities and nursing homes where outbreaks have known to occur and they can test daily.
For detailed information on tests recommended by the CDC Please Visit the following Links:
1. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/lab/resources/antigen-tests-guidelines.html#:~:text=The%20sensitivity%20of%20rapid%20antigen,of%20detection%20of%20the%20test.
2. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/lab/resources/antigen-tests-guidelines.html
Most countries will only accept PCR testing as validation that travelers are fit-to-fly.
Antigen tests are not suitable for testing asymptomatic patients and are indicated for use in symptomatic patients only. Antigen tests are only reliable when a high viral load is detectable, usually 3 days into an infection, which means you must be symptomatic to know this. Antigen tests don't have the sensitivity to detect smaller viral loads that appear early in the infection and will only produce a positive result on days 3-7 of the infection. This is why PCR testing remains the best test for asymptomatic patients. In fact, the CDC states that the PCR test is still the gold standard for COVID-19 testing and recommends a positive Antigen test be confirmed by a PCR test. If you get a negative Antigen test, it doesn't mean you don't have COVID-19.
The “gold standard” for clinical diagnostic detection of SARS-CoV-2 remains RT-PCR. Thus, it may be necessary to confirm a rapid antigen test result with a nucleic acid test, especially if the result of the antigen test is inconsistent with the clinical context. (cdc.gov)
Antigen Tests Do Have Their Place
Antigen tests are suitable for rapidly screening large groups frequently because of the low cost associated with the test. Antigen testing is the method being chosen by some universities and nursing homes where outbreaks have known to occur and they can test daily.
For detailed information on tests recommended by the CDC Please Visit the following Links:
1. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/lab/resources/antigen-tests-guidelines.html#:~:text=The%20sensitivity%20of%20rapid%20antigen,of%20detection%20of%20the%20test.
2. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/lab/resources/antigen-tests-guidelines.html
