Rapid Antigen Testing

What are Antigen Tests​

Rapid Antigen tests are used to quickly detect fragments of proteins found on or within the virus by testing samples collected from the nasal cavity using swabs can provide results within 15 minutes. 

To understand antigen testing, you have to know what an antigen is. An antigen is a substance recognized by the body’s immune system, which can [then] respond by generating proteins called antibodies that specifically recognize that antigen. That means, “the point of an antigen test is to detect the presence of a protein—the nucleocapsid protein—which is part of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that is the cause of COVID-19. In that sense, an antigen test basically looks for those fragments of antigens within a person's body to see if they're infected with the virus’.

Antigen tests are collected via nasal cavity swabs, which are then placed into a special solution for virus detection. The main advantage of antigen tests, is the speed at which they can provide results in-15 minutes. In addition to quick results, antigen tests are also cheaper and easier to use compared to other tests available, and for that reason are suitable for the provision of large test regimes and safety assurance to the event and Hospitality sector