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Antigen or PCR test #249855
03/13/2021 07:38 AM
03/13/2021 07:38 AM
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 70
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Buddyhog Offline OP
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Buddyhog  Offline OP
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Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 70
It looks like both are acceptable to take for return to the states? What is the difference and which one is the easiest to take? Thanks Buddy

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Re: Antigen or PCR test [Re: Buddyhog] #249856
03/13/2021 08:26 AM
03/13/2021 08:26 AM
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 916
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badbenni Offline
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badbenni  Offline
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 916
The least expensive test is the Antigen test and results get back to you usually within 4-5 hours vs the PCR test that takes longer to get results and costs more here on St Maarten to get.

Re: Antigen or PCR test [Re: Buddyhog] #249859
03/13/2021 08:52 AM
03/13/2021 08:52 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,478
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,478
Central Florida!
Exactly, what benni said--antigen is cheaper and you get results back faster.


Carol Hill
Re: Antigen or PCR test [Re: Buddyhog] #249862
03/13/2021 09:05 AM
03/13/2021 09:05 AM
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,881
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Bahston Offline
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Bahston  Offline
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Posts: 1,881
The CDC guidelines do allow for either, and I agree with what badbenni posted. The only question is whether or not your home state has a more restrictive requirement.

Re: Antigen or PCR test [Re: Buddyhog] #250289
03/17/2021 10:11 AM
03/17/2021 10:11 AM
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 15
Cedar Rapids, IA
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Sknau Offline
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Sknau  Offline
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Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 15
Cedar Rapids, IA
The antigen test characteristically is not as much of a deep dive into your nose. You should choose the antigen test if you have had the actual disease within the past three months as a PCR test may remain positive for that period of time.

Re: Antigen or PCR test [Re: Buddyhog] #250321
03/17/2021 03:10 PM
03/17/2021 03:10 PM
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,463
Vermont
sxmmartini Offline
Traveler
sxmmartini  Offline
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,463
Vermont
A new skin test for COVID 19 has been developed. It is less invasive and hopefully will be accepted. I ain’t going for a anal swab and the nasal swab has been known to break the membrane in your nose if not correctly applied.

Re: Antigen or PCR test [Re: Buddyhog] #250324
03/17/2021 04:01 PM
03/17/2021 04:01 PM
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,881
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Bahston Offline
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Bahston  Offline
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There are different types of nasal swab tests. I've had two nasal rt-PCR tests in the past few months, for different reasons. Both used Anterior Nasal swabs, which went around 0.5"-1" up my nose. If you need a nasal test done, ask how they perform the test. If you don't like their answer then try a different testing site.



Expanding on what I said earlier about states possibly having more restrictive requirements than CDC, it turns out that my state of Massachusetts is one of those states. If you're a resident and relying on a test to satisfy the requirements for returning home to MA, than it must be a rt-PCR test (if anyone actually checks). Antigen tests don't satisfy the requirement. MA does at least accept being "fully vaccinated" (2nd vax+2 weeks for Pfizer and Moderna, vax+2 weeks for J+J) as an alternative to testing. I'm looking forward to the day when the pendulum swings the other way, when being fully vaccinated is the basic requirement, and rt-PCR becomes an alternative.

I need to decide whether or not to laminate my CDC COVID-19 Vaccine Record Card. It's on stiff paper/thin cardboard. I expect that I'm going to need it for awhile, and lamination will prevent the bend/fold/mutilate problem.

Re: Antigen or PCR test [Re: Bahston] #250336
03/17/2021 07:23 PM
03/17/2021 07:23 PM
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,463
Vermont
sxmmartini Offline
Traveler
sxmmartini  Offline
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,463
Vermont
If this so called vaccine is the only way we can travel it is a must. It really is not a vaccine at all being a mRNA but a Gene therapy never tested long term on humans.

Re: Antigen or PCR test [Re: Buddyhog] #250337
03/17/2021 07:28 PM
03/17/2021 07:28 PM
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,881
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Bahston Offline
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Bahston  Offline
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,881
Perhaps you should look at the J+J vaccine then. It is NOT an mRNA vaccine.

Re: Antigen or PCR test [Re: sxmmartini] #250340
03/17/2021 08:15 PM
03/17/2021 08:15 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,566
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Online content
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SXMScubaman  Online Content
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,566
Auburn, WA
"swab has been known to break the membrane in your nose if not correctly applied."
And where is your source for this tidbit?

Re: Antigen or PCR test [Re: SXMScubaman] #250361
03/18/2021 07:48 AM
03/18/2021 07:48 AM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,082
Massachusetts
boucharda Offline
Traveler
boucharda  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,082
Massachusetts
We did our own swabs at the drive through testing site...no membrane breaking experienced. Just a desire to sneeze....

Re: Antigen or PCR test [Re: sxmmartini] #250473
03/19/2021 04:32 AM
03/19/2021 04:32 AM
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 721
Colorado
sxmbeachlover Offline
Traveler
sxmbeachlover  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 721
Colorado
Originally Posted by sxmmartini
If this so called vaccine is the only way we can travel it is a must. It really is not a vaccine at all being a mRNA but a Gene therapy never tested long term on humans.


Where does this information come from?


Famous Quote from SBHonline: The best moderation is the least moderation.
Re: Antigen or PCR test [Re: Buddyhog] #250475
03/19/2021 06:47 AM
03/19/2021 06:47 AM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,348
Rhode Island
RonDon Online content
Traveler
RonDon  Online Content
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,348
Rhode Island
Leaving SXM I don't think cost is a problem. We had PCR and paid $70. I think I heard testing at Simpson Bay Resort was antigen and $70. Only worry (besides testing positive) is where and when. We went for less than 72 hours and sure enough our flight was delayed one hour.

Prior to going we tested PCR at a local site in our state free of charge.

Last edited by RonDon; 03/19/2021 06:49 AM.
Re: Antigen or PCR test [Re: Buddyhog] #250478
03/19/2021 07:17 AM
03/19/2021 07:17 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 825
Grosse Pointe, Michigan
Leagle49 Offline
Traveler
Leagle49  Offline
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 825
Grosse Pointe, Michigan
There was quite a crowd waiting to be tested at Simpson Bay Resort last night about 5:45pm, maybe 50 or so.

Re: Antigen or PCR test [Re: RonDon] #250484
03/19/2021 08:51 AM
03/19/2021 08:51 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,478
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,478
Central Florida!
Rosemary--the rule going home to the US is DAYS, not hours.


Carol Hill

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