We offer COVID-19 Antigen Testing
Understanding Antigens
- An antigen is a toxic or other foreign substance that creates an immune response within the body. Put simply, any substance that causes your immune system to produce antibodies against it, is an antigen.
- Antibodies are proteins made by the immune system to fight off infections and viruses. They may also help fend of future instances of coming into contact with the same virus in the future.
What is a COVID-19 Antigen Test?
Antigen tests detect the presence of a specific viral antigen (toxic foreign substance), in this case, SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Rapid antigen tests are often used to detect and diagnose respiratory pathogens, and the FDA has granted emergency use authorization for the use of this test to identify the potential presence of SARS-CoV-2. These tests are performed with nasopharyngeal or nasal swabs.