Millions of Americans have purchased rapid COVID-19 tests online or at local stores and signed up to receive test kits through a free government program. Unlike conventional, lab-processed PCR tests, which may detect infection earlier in the course of illness but can take days to get a result, at-home rapid tests can let you know if you are likely contagious in less than 15 minutes. Public health specialists say rapid tests are good for a range of scenarios, including testing after symptoms and
Toby Scott/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images(NEW YORK) Millions of Americans have purchased rapid COVID-19 tests online or at local stores and signed up to receive test kits through a free government program. Unlike conventional, lab-processed PCR tests, which may detect infection earlier in the course of illness but can take days to get a result, at-home rapid tests can let you know if you are likely contagious in less than 15 minutes. Many specialists see them as a crucial tool in the off-ramp to the pandemic assuming Americans know how and when to use them. Public health specialists say rapid tests are good for a range of scenarios, including testing after symptoms and to lower the risk of passing the virus to others, including children not yet eligible for vaccination or those at higher risk for severe illness. "In the last two months alone, I've used home testing for all three of the major indications: experiencing COVID symptoms, after a known COVID exposure