What is the difference between COVID-19 PCR and antigen tests?

What is the difference between COVID-19 PCR and antigen tests?

Rapid, accurate tests are essential to contain a highly contagious virus like SARS-CoV-2. PCR tests are accurate but can take a long time to produce results. Antigen tests, the other major type of coronavirus test, while much faster, are less accurate.

Is there a diagnostic test for COVID-19?

Yes, the FDA has issued Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) for different types of COVID-19 tests. Some tests are used to diagnose the virus that causes COVID-19 infection whereas other tests are used to detect a recent or prior COVID-19 infection.

What does it mean if a test for COVID-19 is equivocal?

An equivocal test result means that the result could not be interpreted as positive or negative.

How can you detect COVID-19 from a PCR test?

This can be a nasal swab or a bit of saliva. For PCR tests, the next step is amplification of genetic material so that even a small amount of coronavirus genes in the patient’s sample can be detected. This is done using a technique called a polymerase chain reaction.

What can I expect from a COVID-19 diagnostic test?

For a COVID-19 diagnostic test, a health care professional takes a sample of mucus from your nose or throat, or a sample of saliva. The sample needed for diagnostic testing may be collected at your doctor’s office, a health care facility or a drive-up testing center.

What do the results of a COVID-19 test mean?

• If you test positive, know what protective steps to prevent others from getting sick.• If you test negative, you probably were not infected at the time your sample was collected. The test result only means that you did not have COVID-19 at the time of testing. Continue to take steps to protect yourself.

What is a false positive COVID-19 antibody test?

Sometimes a person can test positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies when they do not actually have those specific antibodies. This is called a false positive.