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RAPID ANTIGEN TESTS WILL DETECT THE VARIANT STRAINS
(Has quickly become the most frequently asked question....The epitopes targeted are not under selective immune pressure)
(Has quickly become the most frequently asked question....The epitopes targeted are not under selective immune pressure)
A bit more nuance.
Most rapid antigen tests are targeting epitopes that the immune system isn’t attacking w neutralizing antibodies. So, the within-host selective pressures won’t be acting to force the virus to find an escape route away from rapid tests like they do immunity.
Most rapid antigen tests are targeting epitopes that the immune system isn’t attacking w neutralizing antibodies. So, the within-host selective pressures won’t be acting to force the virus to find an escape route away from rapid tests like they do immunity.
Further... should an unlikely random mutation cause the test to stop working, and gain a fitness advantage, there’s a simple solution, just find a slightly new target - there are LOTS of them.
Unlike vaccines, tests only move forward. No need to go backwards and retest.
Unlike vaccines, tests only move forward. No need to go backwards and retest.
