Danoff
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- Mile High City
Yea, it's fine to be skeptical of the test and definitely important to be aware that you can test too early. That being said, assuming you have had it despite any corroboration is a bad move.It really depends on when they tested and what brand of test they used. These are small studies, but it does suggest that rapid tests won't pick up Omicron early on in the infection process whereas a PCR test would.
Discordant SARS-CoV-2 PCR and Rapid Antigen Test Results When Infectious: A December 2021 Occupational Case Series
The performance of Covid-19 diagnostic tests must continue to be reassessed with new variants of concern. The objective of this study was to describe the discordance in saliva SARS-CoV-2 PCR and nasal rapid antigen test results during the early infectious period. We identified a high-risk...www.medrxiv.org
Analytical sensitivity of seven SARS-CoV-2 antigen-detecting rapid tests for Omicron variant
The emergence of novel SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) requires investigation of a potential impact on diagnostic performance, such as Antigen-detecting rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDT). Although anecdotal reports have been circulating that Omicron is in principle detectable by Ag-RDTs, no...
Even the FDA suggests that antigen test might be less effective at detecting Omicron:
SARS-CoV-2 Viral Mutations: Impact on COVID-19 Tests
Includes specific molecular tests impacted by viral mutations and recommendations for clinical laboratory staff and health care providers.www.fda.gov
I think it's reasonable to doubt the effectiveness of antigen tests in general since they're never going to be as effective as a PCR test. Omicron seems to have reduced the sensitivity of those antigen tests too, which is why I really question the government's thinking here. There are a ton of variables that will lead to inconsistent results and it's also assuming that the person taking the test is smart enough to a.) read the instructions and b.) not contaminate the sample. I think most of us know how people are so it stands to reason to think that neither of these things will be followed.
I can also understand why your friend thinks they have it even though they tested negative. State governments around the country have come out and said if you have symptoms, assume you have COVID. I get why they said it, tests are out of stock pretty much everywhere, but like a lot of things governments have done throughout the pandemic, it's leading to confusion.
He's probably wrong that he has super-immunity though and he's definitely wrong that he shouldn't take any precautions.
My point, overall, is that people are going to use test information badly no matter what. They'll test negative and still assume they have super immunity. They'll test negative and assume they have a free pass to spread the disease. But a fair number of those tests are going to help people understand what they're dealing with. I have friends who have covid right now, and the rapid tests helped them understand what they're dealing with quickly and isolate themselves and take it seriously.
There is absolutely no stopping the spread of omicron. It has gone unchecked. All we can do at this point is provide people with all of the tools we have to help keep themselves informed so that they can make the best possible decisions for themselves and their loved ones.
Early on, I took my kids in for all testing at a full testing center. These days I just do the rapid test - the ~36hr waiting period for the spit test is long enough that it's nearly useless at this point.
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