Rapid antigen test results conducted at home are not accepted for any official purposes in the UAE. According to doctors, a rapid antigen test is helpful in quick assurance. However, it should not be used alone without a clinical visit.

UAE doctors also point out that rapid antigen tests do not provide as accurate results as laboratory tests since they require more virus in the sample to report a positive result. Rapid antigen tests have a high risk of delivering a false-negative report, doctors added.

Speaking in this matter, Dr Azeem Abdul Salam Mohamad, Specialist - Internal Medicine at Bareen International Hospital, Abu Dhabi, underlined that rapid antigen tests are more likely to return positive when more virus particles are in the body. However, it may provide a negative result when the person only has a small amount of virus.

Doctors explained that there are two types of tests used for identifying SARS-CoV-2, virus which causes COVID-19. The first type is a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, also known as a diagnostic test or molecular test. It is helpful in diagnosing COVID-19 by detecting the genetic material of Coronavirus.

According to Dr Gnei Shirazi Burnadeen Ossan, General Practitioner, Thumbay Clinic, Dubai, PCR tests are considered highly reliable for diagnosis of virus by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The second type is an antigen test which can provide results in as little as 15 minutes. They do not require any lab analysis.

"Although rapid tests can give quick results, they aren't as accurate as PCR tests analysed in a lab," added Dr Gnei Shirazi Burnadeen Ossan, General Practitioner, Thumbay Clinic, Dubai.

Dr Naveen Tiwari, lab director, NMC Royal Hospital, DIP, Dubai, further noted that in rapid antigen tests, all patients with positive result can be considered infected with COVID-19. However, it is important for all negatives to conduct sensitive tests like RT-PCR for further confirmation. It also helps in detecting the level of contagiousness to allow a person to self-isolate such that the virus is contained.

Dr Emadeldin Ibrahim, consultant pulmonology, NMC Royal Hospital, Sharjah

Medics, also highlighted that the most common reason for a false negative result is early exposure.

"Tests are recommended to be done at least 24 hours after exposure of the virus or developing symptoms. If negative and a clinician suspects COVID-19, the patient should do PCR test with investigations recommended by the attending physician," he added.

How to conduct a rapid antigen test

During the test, a cotton swab is inserted into the suspected patient's nose, throat (or both) to collect mucus and cells. The swab is then applied to a strip which changes colour if the patient is infected with COVID-19. The test strip has antibodies that bind to any antigen in the sample. If the antibodies combine with Coronavirus antigens, the strip changes its colour.

Benefits of rapid tests

Doctors also highlighted some merits of rapid tests:

· Quick result within days

· Portable and easily accessible than lab tests

· Less expensive than lab tests

· No need for a lab specialist

Healthcare specialists also pointed out that a number of airports, arenas, theme parks, and other public places are conducting rapid COVID-19 testing to test individuals for potential infections. However, they added that rapid tests may not be able to catch every COVID-19 infected case.