Are Rapid COVID-19 Tests , Accurate Enough for Omicron?.<br />Are Rapid COVID-19 Tests , Accurate Enough for Omicron?.<br /> As the Omicron variant spreads, <br />many have turned to regular rapid COVID-19 antigen testing for peace of mind.<br />But how trustworthy are the <br />results of a rapid COVID-19 test?.<br />In December, during the onset of the Omicron variant, the US Food and Drug Administration updated its guidance to note:.<br />Though rapid antigen tests can<br />detect an Omicron infection, <br />"they may have reduced sensitivity.".<br />Experts say rapid tests are <br />more likely to work when <br />coronavirus symptoms are present.<br />Wait a day, maybe two into symptoms to use your test because people are becoming symptomatic a day or so before they're turning positive. , Dr. Michael Mina, epidemiologist chief science officer eMed, via NPR.<br />Officials suggest one negative rapid test <br />is not conclusive evidence that a <br />coronavirus infection isn't present.<br />If you're negative after two rapid tests but still experiencing symptoms, consider testing a third time with a rapid test or getting a PCR test if you can. , Dr. Wilbur Lam, professor of pediatrics and biomedical engineering <br />Emory University, via NPA.<br />While a single negative rapid test may be a reasonable step before grocery shopping or meeting with a healthy friend, experts say different situations call for more stringent testing.<br />If I'm going to the nursing home on Saturday, I would start to isolate and reduce my social contacts <br />in the preceding week, and <br />I would take a couple of tests. , Bruce Tromberg, head of National Institutes of Health's Radx program, via NPR
