COVID- 19 Rapid Antigen Test

Dr Anuja Mahajan explains the most talked-about test in recent times for detecting COVID-19 disease.

- Dr Anuja Mahajan

Introduction

Rapid antigen test for COVID 19 (also called RAT) detects the presence of a specific viral antigen, which implies the current coronavirus infection in the body.

RAT is a type of rapid and simple test which gives visual results and can be seen with the naked eye. Most antigen tests are relatively inexpensive, and most can be used at the time of clinical check-up itself. RAT is primarily used in screening and diagnosing COVID-19. Most of the currently permitted tests produce results in approximately 15-30 minutes.

While other diagnostic tests for COVID-19, known as RT-PCR tests, look for the genetic material from the virus, the antigen test looks for the molecules on the surface of the virus.