How Accurate Are Rapid COVID-19 Tests?

The RT-PCR nasal swab is the standard COVID-19 test, offering highly accurate results within 3 business days. If you want faster answers, though, you may be interested in the rapid COVID-19 test. This test, also known as an ‘antigen’ test, returns results within 15 minutes, but how accurate are rapid COVID-19 tests?

How Accurate Are Rapid COVID-19 Tests?

Rapid COVID-19 tests are very accurate, but they are less accurate than RT-PCR testing. The accuracy of the rapid antigen test may be between 84 – 97%, but varies depending on the manufacturer.

Can a rapid COVID-19 test give a false positive or negative?

Yes, all COVID-19 tests can give false positives or false negatives. Tests with high specificity and high sensitivity are less likely to return incorrect results, which is why Drip Hydration uses RT-PCR and antigen tests with high sensitivity and specificity.

What’s The Difference Between A Rapid And Regular COVID-19 Test?

Although both the rapid and RT-PCR COVID-19 tests are typically administered as a nasal swab, the similarities between the tests ends there. What, exactly, are the differences?

RT-PCR

• The RT-PCR test (also known as a ‘diagnostic’, ‘PCR’, or ‘molecular’ test) is the gold standard and most accurate COVID-19 test.
• This test works by analyzing a sample of fluids collected from your sinus cavity for the specific genetic material of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) virus.
• This test must be sent to a lab for processing, and results generally return within 3 business days.

Antigen (also called ‘rapid test’)

• The rapid antigen test (also called the ‘rapid test’ or ‘rapid COVID-19 test’) is very accurate, but slightly less so than the RT-PCR test.
• The antigen test analyses a sample of fluids collected from either your sinus cavity or your throat for proteins belonging to the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) virus.
• This test can be processed immediately onsite with results generally available within 15 minutes.