Two types of COVID-19 tests, the rapid antigen test and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, are available in the United States. The PCR typically relies on lab testing and is still considered ...

Rapid COVID tests are convenient and easy to use because you can take them at home. But it's important to know how to interpret their results, when you should take another rapid test and when you ...

It’s best to test for RSV soon after your symptoms start. That’s because you’ll likely have the most virus in your system then. As you get better, the amount of virus will go down. (Photo Credit: ...

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — PCR tests, also called molecular tests or nucleic acid tests, are considered the gold standard in detecting the presence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that gives rise to COVID-19.

As SARS-C0V-2 variants emerged, researchers developed a PCR test that uses molecular beacons not only to diagnose COVID-19 infection, but also to identify the specific variant causing that infection.

Peter is a writer and editor for the CNET How-To team. He has been covering technology, software, finance, sports and video games since working for @Home Network and Excite in the 1990s. Peter managed ...

Researchers have built an RT-PCR platform that gives results in 23 minutes that match the longer laboratory-based tests -- faster than other PCR tests on the market. It can be adapted to test for a ...