| Quick antigen tests people take at home may be less sensitive to detecting the omicron variant, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said this week that they're still an important tool.
According to the FDA's recent studies with the National Institutes of Health, antigen tests detected the omicron variant with less sensitivity, meaning those tests will spot infections less often.
Although the FDA did not disclose details about how much less sensitive antigen tests may be, studies are ongoing.
“Studies are underway to confirm the reason for the apparent decreased sensitivity. Once that is known, adjustments to existing tests can be undertaken by each developer with support from the FDA, if appropriate,” the FDA told CNN in a statement.
Antigen tests are fast, more affordable and easier to do at home, but they're known to be less sensitive than PCR tests done in labs.
People should continue to use these tests and follow the instructions closely, the FDA says. If you test negative with an antigen test but still suspect you may have COVID-19 based on your symptoms or an exposure, the agency recommends following up with a PCR test.
Experts agree.
“The tests are still worthwhile. Don’t let anybody think that the FDA was saying that tests are no longer good. They say they’re less sensitive now. They never were 100% sensitive,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told CNN. “What the FDA is saying today is that when you look at omicron and its ability to detect omicron, some of the tests have a diminution, further, of the sensitivity, but they still say the tests are useful and should be used.”
Read more about this story. | 
No comments:
Post a Comment
Keep a civil tongue.