Benefits of using rapid antigen tests for faster testing and how it has helped Delhi

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Benefits of using rapid antigen tests for faster testing and how it has helped Delhi

Last Updated on July 21, 2024 by Ali Hamza

We’ve been struggling with horrific waves of covid-19 that have swept over Delhi, killing myriads of people. Since there was a spike in COVID-19 cases in the nation’s capital, the need for testing also increased significantly. There are different testing procedures available to us to detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus.  However, it is vital to identify the settings under which they offer greater reliability.

What are the testing procedures currently used in Delhi?

Currently, there are two broad categories of testing that are widely used:

  • The Rapid antigen detection test
  • The RT-PCR test

The Rapid antigen detection test (also called Rapid Antigen test or RAT), is a diagnostic test that is used for the detection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the body by collecting nasopharyngeal swab specimens from suspected individuals. It detects the presence or absence of an antigen (surface proteins) in the infected people’s body.

ON the Other hand, The Real Time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction Test (also known as RT-PCR Test) is a molecular test used for the detection of genetic material (RNA in case of viruses) from SARS-CoV-2 virus by collecting nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal swab specimens from COVID-19 infected individuals.  RT- PCR testing is considered the most accurate method in detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus.

How Rapid antigen testing work?

Rapid antigen tests detect antigens that are proteins present on the surface of the virus. An antigen is a substance (or a foreign invader) that induces the immune system to produce an immune response called antibody against it .It can identify people who are infectious, when virus levels in the body are very high. It is highly used as it provides highly confirmatory positive results. The Covid-19 Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) proves to be a highly beneficial measure of testing due to a variety of reasons.

How are samples collected?

Only Nasopharyngeal swab specimens are collected No other specimens /samples (throat swab, oropharyngeal swab) are used.

What are the benefits of carrying out Rapid Antigen Tests in Delhi?

 Rapid Antigen testing can be done on a larger scale.

Rapid antigen detection test (RAT) is very useful as it could identify infectious individuals in an entire community because of its relatively fast and easy testing procedures. Since it could be employed in large numbers, it is highly beneficial to set up antigen testing labs in containment zones and in villages where access to hospitals and medical facilities remains a challenge. So the entire population of that place can get tested altogether. The Procedure of Rapid Antigen Testing in Delhi was widely  used for mass testing of individuals.

Rapid Antigen testing in Delhi is Affordable

Unlike Tests like RT-PCR test, Rapid Antigen testing does not demand application of sophisticated machinery and equipment. This makes Rapid Antigen Tests a bit more cost effective. Also, Due to simplified testing procedures, it doesn’t require professional expertise to carry out the rapid antigen tests. Thus, not only are rapid antigens tests  highly economical, it could also be adopted very quickly because it only requires a small amount of training. SpiceHealth  is a company founded by the founders of Spicejet that conducts Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) in Delhi, starting from Rs.150/- . SpiceHealth conducts all the tests with the help of an expert team and advanced care to provide safe testing experience at an economical cost.  The main philosophy of SpiceHealth is that access to high-quality healthcare is a human right.

Rapid Antigen testing gives fast results.

Rapid Antigen testing generates exceptionally fast results. After 15 minutes of placing the sample in the well, the test results may be interpreted by looking at the appearance of test and control lines, which can be seen with the naked eye and do not require any specialized tools. A rapid antigen test results might take up to 30 minutes as a maximum duration to interpret.

Rapid antigen test gives highly confirmatory positive results.

Despite the low sensitivity of the rapid antigen test, it has evolved to be a game changer in testing technology as Antigen tests in Delhi help to rapidly identify people who have high levels of virus. Although an RT-PCR tests are often recommended if the outcomes of rapid antigen tests are negative but the positive results by rats are highly confirmatory

Rapid Antigen test is critical to supplement the testing capacity.

One of the major benefits of antigen based testing is that it reduces the load of relying on just RT-PCR tests to identify Covid-19 patients. Even when symptoms of the disease are not observable, RT-PCR test may detect even a very low quantity of virus by amplification of genetic material by Polymerase chain reactions (PCR) but it requires High quality equipment, extra resources and technology to carry out the RT-PCR tests.

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