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The antigen test commonly known as the rapid diagnostic test after which results are provided in minutes to an hour detects specific proteins on the viruss surface. Its usually highly accurate, but it ismore likely to miss an active infection compared to the molecular test, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Meanwhile, the molecular test, also known as the RT-PCR test, nucleic acid amplification test, or a NAAT or diagnostic test, detects the viruss genetic material and, depending ondemand in the lab, typically takes a day or up to a week for results. This test is highly accurate and usually does not need to be repeated. Those who havesymptoms but have a negative rapid antigen test may require a molecular test to see there isindeed an active infection, according tothe FDA. As it stands now, I think we trade off accuracy for speed, i think we will continue to improve these tests but thats also why being attuned to symptoms and practicing the public health strategies is the way to go for now. Ultimately, we need to do more surveillance testing to really see whats happening in the community. Dr. William Schaffner, a medical professor at Vanderbilt University and medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, told Fox News that testing could play a role in certain situations, using a family with young children visiting grandparents as a key example. Testing could have a role in this, though not so much for grandma and grandpa who have [ likely ] been sheltered at home, he said. But William Schaffner, like John Whyte, expressed concerns over testing accuracy and providing a false sense of security to those who receive the test. I think you have to inquire on the front end how long it takes for the results to come back, it tells you what your status is on that day.