Uploaded November 2021 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago

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This video describes how you do the COVID-19 antigen test at home.

What is a COVID-19 Antigen Test?

A COVID-19 antigen test detects coronavirus in the mouth and throat. The test determines whether a patient is infected with COVID-19.

Antigen testing is a suitable ‘first’ test against COVID-19, is quicker than other approaches – like PCR testing; it typically takes around 15 minutes for a result.

It is less accurate than PCR testing. Some people in the early or late stages of infection may therefore return a false result, although this is not common.