How Accurate are COVID-19 Antigen Tests?

These days, COVID tests and procedures have become a routine part of life.  That said, it does seem that requirements are ever changing and can be confusing.  No matter your level of confusion or changing requirements, it is clear that testing is one of the most important ways to manage the spread of the disease. Pearl Chemist Group has available all required COVID-19 testing materials including COVID-19 antigen swab tests in the UK. You can also attend the Wandsworth clinic for COVID-19 antigen swab tests.

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by a highly contagious virus. It can affect vulnerable people with preexisting health conditions such as obesity, diabetes, or high blood pressure.

Along with other measures such as wearing a mask, testing has become the best way to manage the spread of the disease. Frequent testing can indicate when a person has been infected with the virus, with or without symptoms and as a result, the affected persons can isolate early and prevent infection of other people.

There are currently two types of tests that are available that can detect a Covid infection.  There is the PCR test and the rapid antigen test.  It is important to gain an understanding of the strengths and limitations of these tests.

In people who have had confirmed cases of COVID-19, antigen tests identified COVID-19 infection in around 72% of symptomatic people. 58% of people without symptoms were identified. Tests are most accurate within the first 7 days after symptoms develop.  Around 80% of cases confirmed via PCR test had positive antigen tests. This is likely to be because people have the highest viral load in their system in the first days after they are infected.

In those who ultimately did not have COVID-19, antigen tests were accurate in ruling out infection in 99.5% of people with symptoms and 98.9% of people without symptoms.

The PCR test is still considered the “gold standard” in order to detect a Covid infection. This is why even with a positive antigen test, a PCR test is still required to confirm the infection.  Sometimes, if you have symptoms, which could be similar to a common cold or flu, and you test negative on an antigen test, you should still seek a PCR test to confirm.  For COVID-19 antigen swab tests in Wandsworth, visit Pearl Chemist Group.  www.pearlchemistgroup.co.uk