Gone are the days when patients had to wait days or even weeks for lab results. Rapid tests, also known as point-of-care tests, provide quick and accurate results, often within minutes. This swift turnaround time is not just convenient; it can be life-saving in critical situations.
The genesis of rapid tests can be traced back to the early 20th century, but their true potential began to unfold in the latter half of the century with advancements in technology and biomedicine. Today, rapid tests cover a broad spectrum of applications, ranging from infectious diseases like HIV and COVID-19 to chronic conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.