The BD Veritor System for Rapid Detection of SARS-CoV-2 is a lateral flow immunoassay that displays results visually. A control line confirms proper test function. A test line indicates the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antigens. The appearance of a third, faint line adjacent to the test line does not affect the interpretation. A positive result is indicated by the presence of both the control and test lines, regardless of the faint third line. A negative result shows only the control line. An invalid result shows no lines or only a test line.
Rapid antigen tests, such as the BD Veritor System, offer advantages in speed and accessibility. They provide results within minutes, facilitating timely decision-making regarding isolation and treatment. While molecular tests like PCR offer higher sensitivity, rapid antigen tests play a crucial role in point-of-care diagnostics, outbreak management, and screening programs. Understanding the visual interpretation of these tests is essential for accurate diagnosis and effective public health response.