Difference between Antigen testing and PCR (Molecular) testing

Molecular testing also known as: PCR test done by taking nasal/throat swabs, we send the sample to our private lab and get the result usually within 48 hours

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Antigen testing also known as Rapid diagnostic test is also done done by taking nasal/throat swabs and gives results within 15 minutes. 

Compared to PCR testing, The sensitivity of the antigen test is around 96.5 % 

This means the antigen test will correctly return a positive result for 96.5% of people who have the disease, but will return a negative result — a false negative — for 3.5 % of the people who have the disease and should have tested positive

The specificity of the antigen test is 99.6%  

This means the antigen test will correctly return a negative result for 99.6% of people who don’t have the disease, but will return a positive result — a false positive — for 0.4% of the people who don’t have the disease and should have tested negative