Antigen Testing

Antigen testing detects specific proteins from a virus, such as COVID-19, in a sample typically taken from the nose or throat. It provides rapid results, often within 15-30 minutes, helping identify if someone is currently infected. While antigen tests are quick and convenient, they are generally less sensitive than molecular tests like PCR, meaning they might miss some cases, especially in early infection or with low viral loads. They are useful for quick screening, particularly when timely results are needed, but negative results in symptomatic individuals may warrant follow-up testing.