A Rapid Antigen Test vs RT-PCR Test - What To Take And When

COVID-19 Test Options - How To Choose: Now we have access to PCR tests (known as RT-PCR, or reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, tests) and rapid antigen tests to detect SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID. So which test should you use? And whats the difference?

With Christmas around the corner and COVID-19 case numbers rising, it's important to keep getting tested when you have symptoms, have been exposed to the virus, or are going to a high-risk environment. quicker than PCR tests (15-20 minutes versus hours to days to get a result) can be done in the home compared to having to line up and wait for a swab, which then has to be analysed in a laboratory. have COVID symptoms have a known exposure to someone with COVID do a rapid antigen test and get a positive result, because PCR confirmation is required are required to by your health department to be released from quarantine or isolation are required to by a health department to get permission to travel to a location. are planning to visit a sensitive site (for example, an aged care facility) are planning to have contact with someone at high risk from COVID (for example, an elderly person or someone on immunosuppressive treatment), and you want to protect them have COVID symptoms but can't get to a PCR testing site are going to an event where lots of people will be mixing, particularly if it's being held indoors where the risk of transmission is considerably higher want to quickly check whether you might have a SARS-CoV-2 infection are part of a regular COVID surveillance program (some workplaces require it, particularly in situations where the person is not fully vaccinated).

Now we have access to PCR tests (known as RT-PCR, or reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, tests) and rapid antigen tests to detect SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID.

So which test should you use? And what's the difference?