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ByLeo Victor

What Is an Antigen Test?

Source: Okrasiuk/Shutterstock

With the introduction of new COVID-19 variants, like the Omicron variant, we can assure customers that while the research is ongoing, both Abbott BinaxNOW™ and Quidel Quickvue™ tests are still able to accurately give positive or negative results, variant or not. 

Rapid Covid testing is one of the most important tools for mitigating Covid-19 spread, both in workplaces and in the world at large. Popular rapid Covid tests like the Abbott™ BinaxNOW use antigen testing to offer rapid results for risk-informed decisions. To make sure you’re using rapid antigen tests correctly, it’s important to understand exactly what an antigen test is and what they look for. Our guide will cover the basics of antigen testing and what everyone needs to know about it. 

What Is an Antigen Test?

According to the National Institutes of Health’s MedlinePlus encyclopedia, an antigen is “any substance that causes your immune system to produce antibodies against it.” The antibodies created bind exclusively to the antigens that they’re designed for. Antigen tests use those antibodies to detect the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in a sample. An antigen test has a strip inside it that’s treated with SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. If the antibodies on the test strip bind to materials from the sample, the test shows an indicator that the virus is present.

Pros and Cons of Antigen Tests

The biggest upsides of antigen tests are their convenience, low cost and ready availability. Most antigen tests offer results in just 15 minutes and are highly cost-effective, especially for businesses buying large numbers of tests. In fact, iPromo now offers bulk pricing on rapid Covid test kits for sale, making it easy to set up your own testing program. Many models of antigen tests can be used at home or at the office without professional administration. This is important because the other type of Covid test, PCR testing, has to be processed through a lab and can take days to return a result.

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Digital health passes are another advantage that some tests like the BinaxNOW™ offer. Using an app, a user can submit their test for third-party verification and get a QR code. Once uploaded into Abbott’s Navica app, these QR codes provide verified proof of a negative test result. The most important downside is that antigen tests aren’t as accurate as PCR laboratory tests, particularly when it comes to detecting the virus in asymptomatic people. However, antigen tests are still highly sensitive when administered correctly. The popular Abbott BinaxNOW™ home test has a sensitivity rating of 84.6%, and the point-of-care testing version boasts even better accuracy of 97.1%. 

man does rapid self test for COVID-19

Source: BFotografie/Shutterstock

How to Take an Antigen Test

Taking an antigen test is quick and relatively simple. Your first step, however, should be to read the test’s directions thoroughly. Each test works a little differently, and it’s critically important to follow the instructions to the letter for accurate results. In general, taking an antigen test works something like this:

  1. Use the included cotton swab to take a nasal or cheek swab sample.
  2. Place the swab in a reagent vial. This breaks apart the cellular material in the sample so antibodies can detect the presence of the virus.
  3. Pour the contents of the reagent vial into the receptacle on the test card. 
  4. Wait for the specified amount of time — usually around 15 minutes. This allows the sample to soak into the test card and encounter the antibodies.
  5. Check the results on your card against what the instructions provide. 
  6. If you’d like to confirm your results, take a second test. Most Covid home test kits like the Abbott BinaxNOW™ offer two tests in each package for this reason.

Antigen vs. Antibody Testing

It’s easy to confuse antigen and antibody testing, but the two are very different. Whereas an antigen test uses antibodies to detect current infections, antibody tests look for past infections by detecting the antibodies your immune system produces.

Find the Best Prices on Rapid Covid Test Kits in Bulk

You can’t use an antibody test to detect an active Covid infection. However, these tests are only available through medical offices and labs, so you don’t have to worry about buying them by accident. 

Abbott BinaxNOW Home Test Kit

Abbott BinaxNOW™ Home Test Kit

Rapid Antigen Tests in Bulk from iPromo

If your business has employees working in person, rapid antigen tests are a must-have for keeping employees safe and reducing Covid exposure risk. iPromo offers all of the top rapid antigen test kits, with bulk pricing perfect for employers who are implementing employee testing programs.

See our best prices on bulk Covid test kits now, or read up on the different types of Covid test kits to learn more. While you’re here, don’t forget to check out all of our options for custom face masks and custom hand sanitizer in bulk to keep your business safe and sanitary!