What is a Covid-19 Rapid Test?
The COVID-19 Rapid Test is a 15-minute test that detects the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in . This is one of 3 types of tests that are used to identify the presence of COVID-19. T
his is the first COVID-19 IgM/IgG Antibody Rapid Test to be licensed by Health Canada (Class III). The device is also approved by the FDA in the US. This on-site rapid test detects antibodies produced when infected by the COVID-19 virus (Coronavirus Disease), caused by 2019-nCoV (SARS-CoV-2).
This test is intended for the qualitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid antigens in direct anterior nasal swabs from individuals who are either suspected of COVID-19 by their health care provider within the first five days of the onset of symptoms, or from individuals without symptoms or other epidemiological reasons to suspect COVID-19 when tested twice over two or three days with at least 24 hours and no more than 48 hours between tests.
How Covid-19 rapid tests work
The COVID-19 Rapid Test is a simple point-of-care lateral flow immunoassay detecting IgM and IgG antibodies simultaneously against the COVID-19 virus within 15 minutes detecting patients at different infection stages. It does not detect the COVID-19 virus itself, but the antibodies produced to fight the virus.
It is widely accepted that IgM provides the first line of defense during viral infections, followed by the generation of adaptive, high affinity IgG responses for long-term immunity and immunological memory. Therefore, testing of COVID-19 IgM and IgG antibodies is an effective method for the rapid diagnosis of COVID-19 infection.
Furthermore, detection of COVID-19 IgM antibodies tends to indicate a recent exposure to COVID-19, whereas detection of COVID-19 IgG antibodies indicates a later stage of infection. Thus, this combined antibody test could also provide information on the stage of infection.