What is the difference between antigen testing and nucleic acid testing?

The difference between antigen detection and nucleic acid detection lies in the different detection methods and components, and the accuracy of the results is completely different. Antigen detection has many advantages, such as self-test and saving medical resources; Compared with nucleic acid detection, it saves time and produces results faster. However, the accuracy of its detection results is not as accurate as that of nucleic acid detection.

After the outbreak of COVID-19 epidemic, it brought great challenges to medical staff. With the passage of time, we have gained more anti-epidemic methods and experiences. After nucleic acid detection, antigen detection has been used in epidemic prevention.

First, the difference between antigen detection and nucleic acid detection. Antigen detection is more convenient. The nucleic acid detection currently used needs medical personnel to complete. After the sample is collected, professionals are needed to test it, and finally the results can be obtained. After using antigen testing, we ordinary people can also follow the instructions and do it ourselves.

Antigen detection will be more convenient and the application scope will be wider. At the same time, it also reduces the workload of medical staff and saves some medical resources.

The antigen test results are faster. Traditional nucleic acid detection takes several hours or even longer from sampling to results. After antigen detection, the result time can be shortened, which is beneficial to epidemic prevention and control, and can also help epidemic prevention workers to screen infected patients as soon as possible.

Second, the accuracy of antigen detection is not as good as that of nucleic acid detection. Although antigen detection is more convenient and efficient than nucleic acid detection, its accuracy is not as good as nucleic acid detection, which is also a major drawback of antigen detection. If there are conditions for nucleic acid testing, antigen testing is not recommended.

Antigen testing is like testing viruses? Clothes? This is also a very important reason for the inaccurate test results; Nucleic acid testing is like penetration? Clothes? Direct detection of viral genes. Such a detection method will make the results more accurate.

Antigen testing is suitable for initial self-examination. If necessary, testers can go to retail pharmacies and online sales platforms to buy.