What is an antigen test?

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Antigen tests are also known as rapid tests. CSU will use antigen tests approved by the FDA for COVID testing.

To take an antigen test, you will be asked to swab the inside of your nose. You will be asked to insert the swab a short distance into your nostril. This may be uncomfortable, but is generally not painful.

Antigen tests look for the presence of one or more proteins that are part of the virus that causes COVID.

Antigen tests are sometimes called rapid tests because once your sample reaches the lab, the laboratory process for running the sample is fast and results are ready within a short time frame, compared to other laboratory processes.