When it comes to COVID-19, the perfect test unfortunately does not exist, so we must rely on a combination of approaches ...

Dr. Duke says people should take the rapid tests if they're symptomatic for more accurate results, and to take the PCR if you're asymptomatic or plan to travel.

With a rise in COVID cases continuing and more people looking to get tested, there are some key differences between the two types of tests that detect the coronavirus: PCR and rapid antigen.

What are the differences between PCR and lateral flow tests? NHS Test and Trace has made rapid lateral flow antigen testing available alongside standard lab-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR ...

Both the PCR and Antigen tests can detect an active case of COVID-19. The main differences between the two involve the timeframe and the accuracy.

The important difference is the PCR tests for the actual virus, the genetic material, that is highly accurate. Whereas the rapid test is looking for a piece of protein or fragment.

With a rise in COVID cases continuing and more people looking to get tested, there are some key differences between the two types of tests that detect the coronavirus: PCR and rapid antigen.

PCR and rapid antigen tests do not detect which variant you have. A subset samples are sent to another lab to determine the strain.