US entrance requirements - covid test

[NoMansLand2020 298]

The US accepts rapid antigen testing. There are so many different types of tests that this can be confusing. 

 

Does a saliva test meet this requirement or does it need to be a swab? 

[brightfuture78 118]

Get the nasal swab Rapid Antigen test. Technically, the CDC guidelines say that the saliva test is acceptable, but I've read some airport guideline expressing that they specifically require nasal swab. I wouldn't take any chances - better safe than sorry.

[LouieDepalma 3]

Either is acceptable, but I am with Bright better safe than sorry.  Besides the rapid has a MUCH higher rate of failure concerning false positive/negative.

 

While it probably won't help but may bring more reality here hospitals will admit you from the ER to a regular non covid floor with a negative rapid, but for a surgery they require the send off test.

[top_secret 2,414]

ANY "antigen" test does indeed fulfill US requirements.  Including saliva antigen tests.  Note that all "antigen" tests have a slightly higher false NEGATIVE failure rate than PCR tests.  They have a bias towards false negatives.  Antigen tests might miss a small percentage of positive cases.  OTOH PCR tests have a bias towards false POSITIVES.  There are countless examples of persons who completely recovered from a COVID infection but still tested positive for weeks or months later due to some sort of defunct "viral debris' floating around their nasal cavity.  When testing to return to the US you absolutely want an ANTIGEN test and not a PCR test.

 

[Chancy 6,241]

On 2/19/2022 at 8:53 PM, top_secret said:

When testing to return to the US you absolutely want an ANTIGEN test and not a PCR test.

 

I agree with getting an antigen test, assuming the airline and the transit country (if any) does not require a PCR test.

 

[NoMansLand2020 298]

33 minutes ago, Chancy said:

 

I agree with getting an antigen test, assuming the airline and the transit country (if any) does not require a PCR test.

 

We will just do Antigen swab. The issue is getting a RT-PCR test results takes too long. And I'm paying for three people. 

[Girandola 52]

On 2/23/2022 at 12:32 PM, NoMansLand2020 said:

We will just do Antigen swab. The issue is getting a RT-PCR test results takes too long. And I'm paying for three people. 

PAL has a site to get the test in the Manila airport. It is relatively cheap. But I don't remember how much.

[DeltaElite121 3]

I had a PCR test just to be safe. Manila has plenty of places that offer rapid results for both. The US entry requirement isn't the issue - the flight lines may be more stringent. I personally think it's silly to gamble on your flight because you're attempting to save $40. If you're flying over there right now, the cost is already up there. I just got back last weekend and there's quite a few steps to make sure you've got all your stuff lined up before departure. Once you're up and going though it's not bad.

[Charlie Brown 302 22]

On 3/6/2022 at 9:12 PM, DeltaElite121 said:

I had a PCR test just to be safe. Manila has plenty of places that offer rapid results for both.

Would you be willing to make a recommendation?

Thanks