Medical Laboratory – COVID-19 ANTIGEN TEST

COVID-19 ANTIGEN TEST – a fast qualitative test for the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus – result within 2h

for patients with COVID-19 infection symptoms for quick diagnosis of an active coronavirus infection (within the first 5-7 days of symptoms),
for travelers.

The antigen test allows for the detection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus antigen in the collected nasopharyngeal swab from the person being tested. The sample is taken using a special swab and takes about a few seconds.

Detecting the SARS-CoV-2 antigen is a quick test – the result is ready to be received within 2 hours of sampling.

Test results are available in both Polish and English.

In asymptomatic patients with suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection, it is recommended to perform a molecular test (RT-PCR). In large groups, the initial examination can be carried out with the SARS-CoV-2 antigen detection test. Persons with a positive result should be treated as infected, while other persons with a negative result should be tested using the RT-PCR method. In individuals who are tested without any symptoms and without suspicion of contact with infected individuals, negative results can be regarded as highly likely not carrying the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

A positive result from the antigen test allows for a diagnosis of COVID-19, while a negative result does not exclude the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. If the COVID-19 antigen test results are negative, and the patient has symptoms characteristic of the coronavirus, it is recommended to confirm the result with a genetic RT-PCR test.

The reliability of the test result is significantly influenced by the quality of the collected swab. To ensure the reliability of the test result, do the following 2 hours before the test: