What is the difference between Shaoxing antigen test and traditional nucleic acid test?

COVID-19 antigen detection and nucleic acid detection are two different technical means. The former is to detect the specific protein of the virus, just like the coat worn by the virus, and the latter is to detect the nucleic acid gene fragment of COVID-19, that is, the gene inside the virus. The substances detected by them are different. Antigen detection is a simple and rapid virus detection method. Compared with nucleic acid detection, it does not need professional sampling or special equipment. Ordinary residents can test themselves at home, 10-20 minutes can produce results.

Antigens are like "clothes" worn outside the virus, while nucleic acids are the genes inside the virus. Antigen detection is to detect the "clothing" part from the antibody, so that the virus can be displayed.

Antigen detection is more convenient and quick, but the sensitivity is slightly poor.

Nucleic acid detection is more complicated and takes a long time to get results, but it is more sensitive.

Antigen detection cannot replace nucleic acid detection. In fact, antigen testing has appeared for a long time, but it has not been widely used in China. This is because the results are not as accurate and early as nucleic acid detection. Nucleic acid detection has an amplification process, so even a small amount of viral nucleic acid can be found, which is helpful for early detection; However, antigen detection must require that the sample already contains a large number of antigens, so it is more effective to detect in people who have symptoms within 5 days. Therefore, antigen test cannot be the final diagnosis result, and nucleic acid test result is the "gold standard" for the diagnosis of COVID-19 infection.