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Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Many terms related to Covid-19 are confusing, one of which is related to the results of the rapid antigen test, which is known as positive-negative reactive or non-reactive.
So far, positive or negative results come from tests. Polymerase chain reaction or PCR swab. Meanwhile, reactive or non-reactive results were obtained from rapid antibody or serological tests.
Quoting seconds, Friday (11/25/2020) for the Rapid Single Antigen Test. This differs from the typical rapid test that detects antibodies or traces of an immune response, this type of test detects antigens that are genetic material of the virus itself.
Therefore, the results are more like the PCR test. The sampling process is also similar to PCR, using a nose or throat swab.
“The antigen test is the direct virus that is being sought. So it is more precisely positive or negative. Like PCR, PCR detects genetic material in the virus, so it is not an image (antibody),” said the molecular biologist Ahmad Rusdan Handoyo Utomo.
Another question is why is it called a rapid test if it looks more like a PCR test and how does it work differently from a rapid antibody test?
Rapid refers to the examination process that is faster than the PCR test. If the PCR test takes hours, the rapid antigen test only takes 15 minutes. In some countries, the term rapid itself, rapid test antigen is beginning to be abandoned to distinguish it from rapid antibody test.
In fact, this type of test is anticipated to become the standard test for Covid-19 diagnosis, like the PCR test, although the sensitivity is certainly less than PCR.
Also, what do the terms reactive and non-reactive mean in the rapid antibody test? It should be understood that the rapid antibody or serological test does not detect the virus directly, but rather the response of the immune system, i.e. the antibodies.
The results obtained do not directly indicate the status of the infection, but a history of whether someone has been infected or not.
“So the antibodies are a history, when this person has been exposed or has never recovered, it detects the history, that is, the antibodies, so it is called to react or not to react,” Ahmad explained.
In conclusion, the result of a rapid true antigen test is indicated as positive or negative and non-reactive or non-reactive.
[Gambas:Video CNBC]
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