Nasal Antigen
A new swab for SARS-VOC-2 is now available in Portugal that allows a sample collection only at the nasal level, in an even easier and faster way.
A new swab for SARS-VOC-2 became available in Portugal, which allows a sample collection only at the nasal level (not nasopharyngeal), in an even easier and faster way.
The most up-to-date method of collecting samples via nasopharyngeal requires more expertise on the part of the technician, as well as a little more time.
These nasal-only samples are an additional reliable method for collecting respiratory samples for the detection of respiratory pathogens.
MAIN ADVANTAGES
- The main benefits of this test are the speed, simplicity of the process.
- This test does not require complex equipment and the results are ready in 20-30 minutes and are delivered in up to 4 hours.
- This means that infected people can quickly be identified and isolated.
MAIN LIMITATIONS
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The antigen test is currently less sensitive than the PCR tests, considered "gold standard" by the OMS and DGS.
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These tests work best with high viral loads, within 1 to 5 days of the onset of first symptoms.
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Although false positives are rare, patients with low viral loads may experience false negatives.
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Therefore, the test may not detect infected patients at an asymptomatic early sateg and in cases of mild infection. In both cases, the patient can infect other people. In this sense, all negative results must be viewed by a health professional in order to assess the need for a second test by the PCR Method.
FOR WHOM IT IS INTENDED
- It is intended for the rapid diagnosis of possible carriers of the SARS-CoV2 virus, with symptoms such as: fever, cough or breathing difficulties that are unable to perform the nasopharyngeal swab test.
- Advised for children and specific more sensitive groups who are unable to perform the nasopharyngeal swab test.
- It is not indicated for screening in asymptomatic populations.
