What are the advantages of rapid antigen test?

What are rapid tests?

Rapid tests, also known as rapid diagnostic tests or RDTs, are easy-to-use tests that provide quick results, usually in 20 minutes or less. Most standard tests have to be sent to a lab, and you have to wait for the results. With a rapid test, you can have the test done and get the results at your provider's office or a clinic. For some of these tests, you can also do them and get the results at home.

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Rapids tests usually include the following steps:

• You provide a sample of your body fluid, such as blood, urine, saliva, or nasal secretions.
• The sample is mixed with a special substance that will cause a chemical reaction if a disease or other condition is present.
• The results show on a dipstick or rapid test cassette:
  • A dipstick is a thin, plastic strip coated with chemicals. If the test is positive, the dipstick will change color when placed in the sample.
  • A rapid test cassette is a small plastic case with a well that holds the sample. The well shows a letter or a symbol to indicate the result.

Most rapid tests can provide quick, reliable results, but the results are not always as accurate as standard lab tests. The accuracy of your test results may be affected by:

• The type of test used
• How the test is stored and transported
• The type of specimen taken
• Your symptoms
• When your symptoms started
• What you are testing for
• Using a test that is past its expiration date

Other names: rapid diagnostic tests, RDT's point-of-care tests

Current Knowledge 
Rapid antigen tests are a form of diagnostic test used to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antigens in a sample from the respiratory tract of a person with suspected COVID-19 infection. Designed to produce results quickly, often within 15-30 minutes, two of the major advantages of rapid antigen tests are their speed and ease of use. They do not require specialized laboratory equipment or trained personnel and can be performed in a variety of settings, including at home. Rapid antigen tests are also relatively inexpensive compared to other diagnostic tests.

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However, rapid antigen tests have some limitations. They are not as accurate as NAAT/PCR tests, particularly in detecting asymptomatic cases, and have a higher rate of false negatives. Therefore, negative results from rapid antigen tests should be confirmed with an NAAT/PCR test if there is a high suspicion of COVID-19 infection.

Background
The use of rapid antigen tests has become increasingly widespread in the management of COVID-19, particularly in situations where timely diagnosis is important. CDC researchers estimate that 1 in 3 U.S. households used at least one at-home rapid testing kit ordered through COVIDTests.gov from January &#; May . Rapid tests are often used in screening programs for nursing homes, schools, workplaces and other settings to identify infected individuals quickly and prevent further spread of the virus.

Guidelines 
IDSA guidelines recommend that rapid antigen tests be used as a screening tool for asymptomatic individuals and in settings with a high prevalence of COVID-19. They also recommend that negative results be confirmed with a PCR test in certain situations, such as in individuals with symptoms or known exposure to the virus.

NIH guidelines recommend that rapid antigen tests be used as an initial diagnostic tool in individuals with symptoms consistent with COVID-19, in settings where PCR testing is not immediately available or results may be delayed and in situations where there is a high prevalence of COVID-19. 

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