What Is An Antigen Test?
When it comes to checking if one has Covid-19, one of the methods that are commonly used these days is an antigen test. Antigen tests are a method of detecting an active infection with SARS-CoV-2, which is the coronavirus that causes the illness COVID-19. These tests look for antigens, which are the protein markers that are found on the outside of a SARS-CoV-2 virus. So, how is an antigen test done? This test is performed on a sample that is taken by swabbing inside your nose. The sample can be processed in a laboratory, but it is frequently analyzed on-site, often providing results within about 15 minutes. The purpose of antigen tests is to determine if a person is infected with COVID-19. They are primarily used in screening for and in some cases diagnosing COVID-19. Diagnosis refers to testing once a person has shown the symptoms of a disease or has a known exposure to a disease. For the coronavirus disease, molecular tests such as the reverse transcription polymerase chain...