"Not everyone is vaccinated, especially our children, so we need to continue diagnosing the virus. "As vaccination rolls out, testing is still incredibly important," says Dr. "People without symptoms of COVID-19 should not use one rapid test alone to clear themselves of being infectious," says Dr. It might mean you tested too early or too late.
If you get a negative result, that doesn't mean you are free of COVID-19. Rapid antigen tests, like PCR tests, aren't perfect. In this case, a very quick answer in just minutes can help that infected person isolate and develop a plan to monitor their symptoms." For example, in a patient with symptoms that are suspicious for COVID-19, a positive rapid antigen test is likely correct. He says, "Rapid tests are not as accurate as our laboratory PCR testing, but they can be useful in some situations. Scott Koepsell, MD, PhD, is the medical director of the University of Nebraska Medical Center main testing lab. Find out the difference between PCR tests and rapid tests here.īut rapid antigen tests are still helpful. PCR tests, which require a lab to detect the genetic material of the coronavirus, are the gold standard for COVID-19 testing.
Rapid antigen tests, like the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, check for active infection of COVID-19.