The researchers found that the accuracy of the tests varied considerably. Chances of a rapid test giving a false negativeĪ March 2021 review of studies examined the results of 64 test accuracy studies evaluating commercially produced rapid antigen or molecular tests. The researchers found tests taken 3 days after symptoms appeared were almost as accurate as tests taken the day symptoms started. When taken within 3 days of symptom onset, home tests correctly identified 96.2 of COVID-19 cases. Within days 0 to 12 of symptom onset, the home tests correctly identified 78.9 percent of people who did have the virus and correctly identified 97.1 percent of people who didn’t have the virus. In an August 2021 study, researchers compared the validity of home antigen tests compared to PCR lab tests for detecting COVID-19 infection. Like other antigen COVID-19 tests, home COVID-19 tests have a higher chance of a false negative than a false positive - meaning it’s more likely that the test will indicate you don’t have COVID-19 when you do have it than report you do have it when you don’t. Rapid tests come with a high risk of giving a false negative result.Ī false negative means the test shows you don’t have COVID-19 when you do actually have it.Īt-home tests aren’t as accurate as gold standard PCR tests, but they still play a role in catching COVID-19 cases that otherwise would have gone undetected. Your sample is then usually applied to a strip that changes color if you test positive for COVID-19.Īlthough these tests provide quick results, they aren’t as accurate as laboratory tests because they require more of the virus in your sample to report a positive result. Rapid tests, also called point-of-care tests, can be performed at:ĭuring the test, you or a medical professional will insert a cotton swab into your nose, throat, or both to collect mucus and cells. However, the CDC stopped using the term “rapid” to describe antigen tests, because the FDA has also approved laboratory-based antigen tests. ![]() Most rapid tests are antigen tests, and sometimes the two terms are used interchangeably. ![]() ![]() Rapid COVID-19 tests often provide results within minutes and don’t need to be analyzed in a laboratory by a specialist.
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