The rapid antigen test for SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is a rapid diagnostic test that determines the presence or absence of an antigen. Responses to rapid antigen tests for COVID-19 are usually available within 5-30 minutes. The principle of determining the test is the binding of virus antigens with specific antibodies that are attached to the test plate.
Attention! As of December 1, the government’s decision changes the requirements for those wishing to obtain a passport of opportunities: a negative antigen test result will no longer be valid, a negative PCR test answer will be required, which will be valid for 72 hours. from the moment of sampling. As before, people who have been vaccinated against the coronavirus and who have contracted the COVID-19 disease will be able to get the opportunity passport according to the full scheme. Persons who must be tested and other persons will be issued a passport of opportunities only after a paid PCR test has been performed.
How is the investigation conducted?
The test sample is a nasal swab. The rapid antigen test method for COVID-19 is a chromatographic immunological qualitative test.
What do the results of the study show?
A positive result indicates that antigens of the SARS-CoV-2 virus have been detected in the sample and that the person is infected with the virus.
A negative result indicates that SARS-CoV-2 virus antigens are not detected in the sample and the person is not infected with the virus, or the amount of virus antigens is low and therefore not detected by the test.
Who is recommended for testing?
Anti-SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen test is recommended for persons with symptoms of the COVID-19 disease (coronavirus infection) no later than 5 days after the onset of symptoms.
What is important to know?
This test can only detect high concentrations of virus in a sample, which may result in false-negative results (NO DETECTED responses) in asymptomatic patients. SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing is recommended.
A negative result (NO DEFINED response) can be obtained if the antigen concentration in the sample is below the limit of detection or if the sample was not collected properly or the patient did not follow the recommendations before collecting the saliva sample. Therefore, the test is negative (the answer is NOT FOUND). the result does not exclude the possibility of SARS-CoV-2 infection and should be confirmed by molecular (PCR) testing, especially if the patient is symptomatic.
Children carry the virus for a shorter period of time than adults, so there may be differences in sensitivity between adult and pediatric samples.
