• Advertise
  • Donate
  • Subscribe
    • Become a print subscriber
    • Sign up for e-Newsletter
    • e-Editions
Thursday, March 30, 2023
No Result
View All Result
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
  • News & Features
    • National
    • Local
  • All Sections
    • Opinion
      • Mellaneous by Mel Reeves
      • Word on the Street
      • Reaching Out From Within
    • Health + Wellness
      • Minnesota Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Sports
      • Timberwolves/NBA
      • Lynx/WNBA
        • 20 in 20
      • Twins/MLB
      • MN Wild/NHL
      • Vikings/NFL
    • Business
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
    • Arts + Culture
    • Photo Galleries
    • MSR Forefront Digital Roundtable Series
      • MSR Forefront Highlights
    • Go Green
    • Education
    • Bulletin
    • Jobs & Opportunities
      • Legals
  • Events
    • Submit an event!
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • e-Editions
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
  • News & Features
    • National
    • Local
  • All Sections
    • Opinion
      • Mellaneous by Mel Reeves
      • Word on the Street
      • Reaching Out From Within
    • Health + Wellness
      • Minnesota Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Sports
      • Timberwolves/NBA
      • Lynx/WNBA
        • 20 in 20
      • Twins/MLB
      • MN Wild/NHL
      • Vikings/NFL
    • Business
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
    • Arts + Culture
    • Photo Galleries
    • MSR Forefront Digital Roundtable Series
      • MSR Forefront Highlights
    • Go Green
    • Education
    • Bulletin
    • Jobs & Opportunities
      • Legals
  • Events
    • Submit an event!
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • e-Editions
No Result
View All Result
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
No Result
View All Result

Rapid tests are crucial in curbing the spread of COVID-19—especially for holiday gatherings

by Nathaniel Hafer
December 11, 2021
15
SHARES
292
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on LinkedIn
a person holding an antigen rapid test result
The key to rapid antigen testing is to test early in the course of COVID-19 infection, ideally several times 24 hours apart.
Photo by Alex Koch/Pexels

As winter begins and the holidays are in full swing, the COVID-19 pandemic has entered another worrying phase. Emergence of the omicron variant, along with increasing rates of infections, have left many people unsure about their holiday plans.

On Dec. 2, 2021, President Joe Biden outlined a series of actions to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, including making at-home COVID-19 rapid tests eligible for reimbursement by private insurance. Along with vaccination, testing remains one of the most effective ways to track and reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Even though COVID-19 testing has become part of most people’s everyday conversation, many people still have questions about the difference between antigen and PCR tests, including when and how to use them.

I’m a molecular biologist based at UMass Chan Medical School. Since April 2020, I’ve been part of a team working on a National Institutes of Health-funded program called RADx Tech to help companies develop rapid tests to detect when a person is infected with COVID-19.

How rapid antigen tests work

Rapid antigen tests are designed to detect a portion of protein—known as an antigen—of SARS-CoV-2. First, you take a sample from your nose or mouth with a swab, as directed. You mix the sample with liquid that breaks apart the virus. You then apply the liquid to a test strip that has antibodies specific for SARS-CoV-2 painted on it in a thin line.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Antibodies are Y-shaped proteins that recognize and bind to foreign substances such as antigens. If the antibodies bind to the virus proteins, or antigens, a colored line appears on the test strip, indicating the presence of SARS-CoV-2.

These tests are convenient because they are easy to use and provide results quickly, typically within about 15 minutes. Another benefit is that antigen tests can be relatively inexpensive, at around US$10-$15 per test. In contrast, PCR tests usually require laboratory equipment and technicians, take 12 hours to several days to get results and cost $100 or more, though there are many ways to get these tests free of charge.

In his announcement, President Biden also discussed plans to distribute 50 million free tests to community health care providers for people without insurance. People should check their local media outlets for information about when free rapid tests become available. In Colorado, free rapid tests have been available to families with school-age children for months. Be prepared to act quickly: In late November, 100,000 people signed up in less than 24 hours for free antigen COVID tests in New Hampshire.

People embrace next to a free COVID-19 rapid testing sign at Los Angeles International Airport.
Los Angeles International Airport is offering free rapid COVID-19 tests to incoming international travelers. Mario Tama/Getty Images News via Getty Images

As of early December 2021, the Food and Drug Administration has authorized about a dozen rapid antigen tests for SARS-CoV-2, which means these tests meet certain standards for performance and accuracy.

When to use rapid tests

If you have any symptoms of COVID-19, regardless of whether you’ve been vaccinated, you should get tested right away with either a PCR or antigen test.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

SARS-CoV-2 can spread very easily, even if you don’t have symptoms. The faster you can determine if you have COVID-19, the sooner you can isolate yourself, which helps prevent transmission to others. Early testing is also critical because new drugs like those from Merck and Pfizer are most effective if given early in the course of infection, soon after symptoms appear.

If you get a negative antigen test but still feel sick, it is possible that you received a false negative test. Isolate yourself away from others and contact your health care provider to discuss your symptoms. If you get a positive test, you should isolate yourself at home and contact your health care provider as soon as possible.

If you don’t have symptoms but have had close contact with someone with COVID-19, what to do depends on your vaccine status. If you’re fully vaccinated, the CDC currently recommends that you wait five to seven days after your exposure and then get a PCR or rapid antigen test. If you’re not fully vaccinated, get tested right away. If you don’t develop symptoms, you should still get retested five to seven days after your exposure.

Like many respiratory viruses, it takes several days for SARS-CoV-2 to build up in your body after exposure. During this early phase of infection, the amount of viral protein is relatively low, and a rapid test may not detect your infection. This is why serial testing over multiple days, with at least 24 hours between each test, is recommended for many antigen tests. Rapid antigen tests are most often accurate when a person is infectious, because that is when the highest amount of virus is in the respiratory tract.

Studies have shown that serial antigen testing—typically two to three tests in one week—is on par with a single PCR test. Remember that a test is only a snapshot of your SARS-CoV-2 status at the time of the test. It’s possible, especially with antigen tests, to test negative during the early stages of infection.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

The future for at-home COVID-19 testing

Despite all that we researchers have learned, there is still more to understand about the best way to use rapid tests. Our team is conducting several studies to fill these gaps.

Closeup of a COVID-19 rapid test.
The CDC recommends that fully vaccinated people wait five to seven days after a COVID-19 exposure before getting a PCR or rapid antigen test. Those not fully vaccinated should get tested right away. lupmotion/iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

One question we are studying with a program called STOP COVID-19 is how people use home tests when their infection risk is low versus high. For instance, someone who wears a mask indoors and does not eat out at restaurants may be considered low risk, while someone who is not vaccinated and gathers with many people without masks is considered high risk.

We are also interested in knowing whether people will adhere to a testing regimen when they have an exposure, and whether they will share their home test results with their local department of public health.

Another major question our team is studying is: How do antigen tests compare with PCR tests when it comes to detecting COVID-19 in people who are positive but have no symptoms? A separate nationwide study called Test Us at Home is generating important data that will help us answer this question in the next few months.

Rapid antigen tests are a welcome tool in society’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. When used properly and in combination with other tools such as vaccination, mask-wearing and good hygiene, these actions can help limit the spread of SARS-CoV-2 this holiday season.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Nathaniel Hafer is an assistant professor of Molecular Medicine at UMass Chan Medical School.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.

ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

Grab the eggnog—it’s time for holiday TV fun!

Next Post

Black Tech founders want to change the culture of health care, one click at a time

Nathaniel Hafer

You Might Also Like

People with long Covid face barriers to government disability benefits
COVID-19

People with long Covid face barriers to government disability benefits

Long Covid: What is it?
COVID-19

Long Covid: What is it?

President Biden tests positive for COVID
National

President Biden tests positive for COVID

person getting vaccinated
COVID-19

Boost now or wait? Many wonder how best to ride out COVID’s next wave

Top tips to celebrate Independence Day safely during COVID-19
COVID-19

Top tips to celebrate Independence Day safely during COVID-19

girl sitting on smiling man s shoulder
Opinion

Why Juneteenth & Father’s Day are special for Black dads during COVID

Next Post
Black tech

Black Tech founders want to change the culture of health care, one click at a time

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
ADVERTISEMENT

The Latest News

Women’s History Month Salute: Sha Cage

Women’s History Month Salute: Sha Cage

Women’s History Month Salute: Stella Whitney-West

Women’s History Month Salute: Stella Whitney-West

New York grand jury votes to indict Donald Trump

New York grand jury votes to indict Donald Trump

WNBA needs business advocates for women’s sports

WNBA needs business advocates for women’s sports

Greenberg Media Awards recognize journalists who advance women’s basketball

Greenberg Media Awards recognize journalists who advance women’s basketball

Will the 1982 Cheyney team finally get due recognition?

Will the 1982 Cheyney team finally get due recognition?

Minneapolis
◉
34°
Showers in the Vicinity
6:57 am7:37 pm CDT
FriSatSunMonTue
39/23°F
37/25°F
48/30°F
45/32°F
37/30°F
Weather forecast Minneapolis, Minnesota ▸
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Upcoming Events

Mar 31
March 31 @ 10:00 am-April 8 @ 9:00 pm

Twin Cities Auto Show

Mar 31
8:00 pm-10:00 pm Recurring

Lemi Ponifasio: Love to Death (Amor a la muerte)

Mar 31
8:30 pm-10:00 pm

March Star Party

Apr 1
7:30 pm-9:30 pm

Rising Tide with ENCORE!, See Change Treble Choir, and Voices of Hope

View Calendar

Read our latest e-Edition!

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Subscribe

  • Home/Office Delivery
  • Weekly e-newsletter
  • e-Editions

Support

  • Donate
  • Subscribe
  • MSR Newsstand Locations

Connect

  • About
    • MSR Staff
  • Contact
  • Send a news tip
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms

© 2023 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

No Result
View All Result
  • News & Features
    • Local
    • National
  • All Sections
    • Arts & Culture
    • Health & Wellness
      • MN Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Business
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
    • Opinion
    • Sports
  • Events
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • Donate
  • Subscribe

© 2023 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

 

Loading Comments...