What It Is
The IC Labs COVID-19 diagnostic antigen test is three tests in one. It uses a sample taken from a nasal swab to detect the nucleocapsid protein from influenza A and influenza B as well as SARS-CoV-2, commonly known as the corona virus. If this rapid diagnostic test is positive for COVID-19, it means that the person is CURRENTLY infected the SARS-CoV-2 virus. If it is positive for influenza A, it means that the person is CURRENTLY infected with influenza A. If it is positive for influenza B, it means that the person is CURRENTLY infected with influenza B. Once any of these infections is gone, the antigen disappears, and that test will be negative. It is possible for more than one of these tests to be positive.
A positive test is considered very accurate, but it’s possible to be infected with the virus and have a negative antigen result. Testing less than five to six days after exposure to the corona virus is likely to produce a negative antigen result. No Covid-19 test is 100% accurate, so it’s important to follow Covid-19 guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, such as social distancing.
This test is suitable for humans of any age, including infants.
We utilize the Sofia 2 Flu + SARS Antigen Fluorescent Immunoassay (FIA). This test uses advanced immunofluorescence-based lateral flow technology in a sandwich design and has been authorized by the FDA under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for use by authorized laboratories.