How it works:

Since your body generates antibodies in response to an infectious agent, this test looks for antibodies to the coronavirus in your blood.

Differences between the PCR Test and Antigen Test even though the PCR Test and Antigen Test seek to achieve almost the same thing, they are both completely different.

The only similarity between both tests is that they all require a swap from the back of the nose or throat and they cannot determine if you are contagious if positive

Below are the differences between the PCR Test and Antigen Test

1. While the PCR test is carried out to test if someone is infected with the coronavirus, the Antigen test checks if your immune system has responded to coronavirus.
2. For a PCR test, a sample is sent to a lab to convert the virus RNA to DNA while the Antibody test works by mixing the sample with a solution that unleashes specific viral proteins.
3. PCR test takes hours and may require sophisticated equipment and technicians while the Antigen test could be carried out on just a paper strip which like a pregnancy test would reflect as a band on the slip.
4. The PCR test takes longer to deliver (depending on the health care centre) while the Antigen test takes less time to deliver.

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