Covid 19 is a SARS-CoV-2 viral disease of the respiratory system. This disease primarily infects the lungs and further moves to other areas of the body. In the past years, Covid 19 has been responsible for mass deaths and pandemics. Various diagnostic measures have been devised to identify people infected with the virus. In this response, researchers identified various antigens that are specific to SARS-CoV 2 to detect people infected with Covid 19. Antigen tests are commonly known as rapid antigen tests because they are the fastest ways to detect the presence of viruses in a patient.
What is a Rapid antigen test?
Rapid antigen test works on the principle of immunoassays in which the viral antigens present on the mucosal surface of the nasopharynx region react with the antibodies secreted by humans. This principle is exploited by the researchers as a diagnostic tool.
How does a rapid antigen test work?
The rapid antigen test procedure involves collecting the sample from the nasopharynx region of the person using cotton swab sticks that reach towards the throat. The specimen sticks are dipped in the solution (extraction buffers), having human antibodies to react with the sample viral antigen if present. The mucus collected is immediately sealed in sterilised packets and labelled. These samples are then sent to the lab to check their reactivity. If the samples show reactivity with the reagent, then the person is infected with the virus. When the nasopharynx swab samples do not show any reactivity with the reagent having antibodies, then the person is free from infection.
Why opt for a rapid antigen test?
- 1. To check for Covid infection
- 2. It is a rapid test (results obtained within 30 minutes)
- 3. Accurate results
- 4. The easy and painless test
- 5. No prior preparations before the tests
- 6. Do not cause harm to the patient
-
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.1. What is Covid 19?
Covid 19 is a SARS-CoV-2 viral disease of the respiratory system. This disease primarily infects the lungs and further moves to other areas of the body. In the past years, Covid 19 has been responsible for mass deaths and pandemics. Various diagnostic measures have been devised to identify people infected with the virus. In this response, researchers identified various antigens that are specific to SARS-CoV 2 to detect people infected with Covid 19. Antigen tests are commonly known as rapid antigen tests because they are the fastest ways to detect the presence of viruses in a patient.
Q.2. What is a Rapid antigen test?
Rapid antigen test works on the principle of immunoassays in which the viral antigens present on the mucosal surface of the nasopharynx region react with the antibodies secreted by humans. This principle is exploited by the researchers as a diagnostic tool.
Q.3. How does a rapid antigen test work?
The rapid antigen test procedure involves,
- 1. Collecting the sample from the nasopharynx region of the person using cotton swab sticks that reach towards the throat.
- 2. The specimen sticks are dipped in the solution (extraction buffers), having human antibodies to react with the viral antigen if present.
- 3. If the samples show reactivity with the reagent, then the person is infected with the virus.
- 4. The mucus collected is immediately sealed in sterilised packets and labelled.
- 5. The samples are further sent to the lab to check their reactivity and extent of infection.
- 6. When the nasopharynx swab samples do not show any reactivity with the reagent having antibodies, then the person is free from infection.
-
Q.4. Why opt for a rapid antigen test?
- 1. To check for Covid infection
- 2. It is a rapid test (results obtained within 30 minutes)
- 3. Accurate results
- 4. The easy and painless test
- 5. No prior preparations before the tests
- 6. Do not cause harm to the patient
-
Q.5. Are there any side effects of rapid antigen test?
No, it is a totally safe test. It does not involve taking out blood, or any cut or any exposure to harmful radiations as in the case of imaging tests. Is a quick test to check if the person is infected or not.
Related Post