What is Rapid Antigen Covid Test & How you can perform it?

We need to know how to use rapid antigen Covid test, as they are now completely available in supermarkets as well as medical pharmacies.

Before attending a gathering or an event or experiencing symptoms, rapid antigen tests can help determine whether a person has COVID-19. When the C and T both have the colored lines, this indicates a series of positive result. However, when only one color line is present, the result is negative.

You can also conduct the test of COVID at home in which you can get the results in just 10 minutes. It will be much faster than standard PCR tests, which many are familiar with.

Here's how to maximize your chances of a meaningful result from these rapid antigen tests.

Rapid Antigen Testing - What is it?

Samples are tested for SARS-CoV-2 proteins, the virus that causes COVID-19. The polymerase chain reaction, or the PCR test, is not the same as most of us are very much familiar with. This test detects the presence of DNA. Health workers collect the PCR samples, as well as technicians in the lab process them.

Any reasonably competent person can perform rapid antigen tests anywhere. A test can provide a result within 15 minutes instead of hours or days for PCR.

Rapid antigen test, are known to be a bit less reliable as compared to the PCR tests. False negatives are yet more likely than the false positives and the false negatives are more likely than the true positives.

You'll get better results if you do a rapid antigen test when you have symptoms or within seven days after exposure.

What are the advantages of using one?

Rapid antigen tests are helpful if you want to check your COVID-19 status quickly. You might want to ensure the safety of elderly relatives who are expected to attend a family gathering.

Alternatively, if you have COVID-19 symptoms and can't get a PCR test right away, you might consider a rapid antigen test.

What test should I use?

A list of approved home rapid antigen Covid test is available on the TGA website. The TGA must approve rapid antigen tests sold in Australia.

There are basically two main groups of them. The tests are yet including with:

·       Secretions from the nose or swabs from the nose

·       Spit into a tube or swab inside the mouth to get saliva.

·       Tests are categorized by the TGA as "acceptable," "high," or "very high" in terms of their sensitivity.

·       SARS-CoV-2 infections are more likely to be detected by people with "very high sensitivity" and nasal swabs.

How do colored lines will relate to each other?

Two colored lines should be observed. C (control) is one of them. If the test is running correctly, you will see C. On the other hand, you will see T (test) or Ag (antigen). These two together give you the following results:

·       The test is invalid if the C-colored line does not appear. You may have used an expired test kit or taken the test incorrectly.

·       When the C-coloured line appears, but the T (or Ag) line is not appearing, your result is found to be negative and it means that you don’t have COVID.

·       You will get the positive result (you may have COVID-19) if both the series of C and T lines appear.