A COVID-19 antigen test tells you if you have the virus at the particular time of testing (that is why you need to use it for things like travel and event entry) Generally these types of test need a throat or nasal swab sample and there are two main types of antigen test – a PCR test which is performed in a lab and a rapid test (now commonly known as a lateral flow test or LFD) that gives you your result in about 30 minutes. An antibody test tells you if you have antibodies.
