Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are diagnostic tools that provide rapid results to detect infections or other conditions. They are widely used in situations where speed of diagnosis is critical for immediate therapeutic intervention. These tests are particularly useful in resource-limited settings, such as clinics, emergency rooms, and areas with limited access to laboratory infrastructure.

Rapid diagnostic tests are easy to use, require minimal equipment and training to use, and give results in a short time, usually within 15-30 minutes. In the case of viral infections, such as COVID-19 or influenza, these tests detect viral antigens or antibodies in the organism, while for bacterial infections they may detect the bacterium or its derivatives in the sample.

Some of the most well-known rapid diagnostic tests include tests to detect the influenza virus, COVID-19, streptococci, and allergies. They are also used in other medical conditions, such as pregnancy and to detect diabetes mellitus.

Although rapid diagnostic tests are extremely useful because of their speed, their accuracy can be affected by several factors, such as the quality of the sample or the duration of the infection. In some cases, confirmation of results with more specialised tests may be required. However, their use is constantly expanding, offering rapid and effective diagnosis in many clinical situations.