There are three different ways to test for COVID-19: PCR tests, antigen tests and antibody tests. Here are the differences.

Both the PCR and Antigen tests can detect an active case of COVID-19. The main differences between the two involve the timeframe and the accuracy.

While you may be used to thinking of COVID tests as interchangeable, there’s a big difference between the standard at-home antigen test and a PCR (molecular) test. Almost five years in, it’s important ...

The two types of diagnostic tests right now being utilized to detect various forms of COVID-19 in the United States are the PCR test and the antigen test.

When you think about getting tested for COVID-19, you’re most likely picturing two types of tests: the at-home rapid antigen tests you can buy at the drugstore and the PCR test where the results ...

What’s the difference between PCR and rapid COVID tests? Rapid tests, which usually give a result within 10-20 minutes, also are called antigen tests, meaning they detect SARS-CoV-2 proteins.

But a positive PCR test could be misleading and overly restrictive because a person could be clear of the virus weeks before taking the test. Meanwhile, rapid antigen tests have four advantages.

Researchers investigated how antigen concentration and viral load in different specimen types affected the performance of SARS-CoV-2 rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs).

Starting on Wednesday, March 16, people making an appointment at a Health Department testing site can choose between take-home antigen tests, a take-home LAMP test or a PCR test.

Swab, test, repeat: A 2nd rapid COVID test more than doubled result accuracy Study puts some numbers to the benefits of serial testing in people without symptoms.