THE DIFFERENCE

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• No lab required

• Results in 15 minutes

• Nasal swab

• Test looks for the proteins that attach to the virus

• Effective for detecting the virus from Day 4-5 after exposure

• Viewed as “contagiousness tests” as highly effective during the viral peak (which is also when people are most contagious)

RAPID ANTIGEN TESTS

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• Lab-based testing

• Results in 24-36 hours

• Throat swab

• Test looks for the RNA of the virus

• Effective for detecting the virus from Day 3-4 after exposure

• Required for travel and hospital admissions

• Test can pick up the virus is in your body for up to 30 days - even though you are not contagious for most of that time.

PCR TESTS

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