PCR Test vs Rapid Antigen Test

Ever since the pandemic started I have been able to avoid any kind of non-sensical test since I avoided travel. However, I might need to travel soon and I hate to have to take this test.

That being said, what is the difference between the PCR test and Rapid Antigen Test? Do they both involve the deep nasal swab? Is there any way that if I asked the person to just take from the mouth that it would be sufficient for them. I really don't want to stick anything up my nose.

MikeGore wrote:Ever since the pandemic started I have been able to avoid any kind of non-sensical test since I avoided travel. However, I might need to travel soon and I hate to have to take this test.

That being said, what is the difference between the PCR test and Rapid Antigen Test? Do they both involve the deep nasal swab? Is there any way that if I asked the person to just take from the mouth that it would be sufficient for them. I really don't want to stick anything up my nose.

I think they both require nasal or throat swabs.

Also about antigen :
"In contrast, antigen tests — often referred to as rapid tests — work by mixing the sample with a solution that unleashes specific viral proteins. That combination is then applied to a paper strip that contains a bespoke antibody optimised to bind these proteins if they are present. Like a home pregnancy test the result is reflected as a band on the paper strip.

The process doesn’t require a lab, and can be done in up to 30 minutes, but that speed comes at the cost of sensitivity. Although these tests are reliable when an individual has a high viral load, they are far more prone to false-negative results if a person has low amounts of the virus in their body."

This is taken from a site that claims PCR tests have almost 100% accuracy in diagnosing the infected however, so take it with a grain of salt.