Hyderabad: The Second Wave of COVID-19 overwhelms the entire population of the country. The people frequently come up with terms like Antigen or RT-PCR test. They want to ask a lot of questions about the effectiveness of this test to the COVID-19 virus, but no medical expert can answer their questions and allay their fears. This article provides answers to their questions.
Is nasal cap PCR test accurate?
The nose swab PCR test for COVID-19 is the most accurate and reliable test for diagnosis COVID-19. A positive test means you are likely to do it COVID-19. A negative test means you probably did not have it COVID-19 at the time of the test.
Get tested if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19.
What is an RT-PCR test?
A reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test is performed to detect genetic material of a specific organism, such as a virus. The test determines the presence of a virus if you are infected during the test. The test can also detect fragments of viruses, even after you are no longer infected.
For whom to test COVID-19?
If you have symptoms of COVID-19. If you were 15 minutes or longer within six feet of someone who tested positive Covid-19.
How can a COVID-19 PCR test work?
There are three important steps to COVID-19 PCR test: 1) sample collection 2) extraction and
3) PCR.
The sample is collected using a swab to collect respiratory material found in your nose. A swab contains a soft tip on a long, flexible stick that is placed in your nose.
There are different types of nasal swabs, including nasal swabs that immediately catch a sample in your nostrils and nasopharyngeal swabs that go further into the nasal cavity for collection.
Both types of swabs are sufficient to provide material for the COVID-19 PCR test.
After collection, the swab is sealed in a tube and then sent to a laboratory. When a laboratory technologist receives the sample, they perform a process called extraction, which isolates genetic material from the sample, including genetic material from any virus that is present.
The PCR step then uses special chemicals and a PCR machine, called a thermal cyclist, which causes a reaction to take place that produces millions of copies of a small portion of the genetic material of the SARS-CoV-2- make virus.
During this process, one of the chemicals produces a fluorescent light if SARS-CoV-2 is present in the sample. This fluorescent light is a “signal” detected by the PCR machine and special software is used to interpret the signal as a positive test result.
Results and follow-up
What to do COVID-19 PCR test results mean?
A positive test result means you are likely to do so COVID-19. Most people have mild illnesses and can recover safely at home without medical care.
Contact your doctor or visit a hospital or health center if your symptoms worsen.
A negative test result means you probably did not have COVID-19 at the moment you took your test.
However, it is possible to be infected with SARS-CoV-2, but that there are not enough viruses in your body to be detected by the test. For example, it can happen if you have recently become infected but do not have symptoms yet, or it can happen if you have had it. COVID-19 for more than a week before being tested. Remember that a negative test does not mean that you are safe for a long time. So follow SOPs like using face mask and social distance and avoid going to public places unnecessarily.
If your test is positive, you should stay home with your doctor and separate yourself from others. If your test is negative, continue to take steps to protect yourself and others COVID-19 by following SOPs.
How soon are the results of a COVID-19 PCR test available?
You should receive the result of your test within 24 hours of collecting the sample, but this can sometimes take several days, depending on how long it takes to reach the laboratory and how many other samples are in the queue to to be tested.
What are the benefits of a COVID-19 PCR test?
The main benefits of COVID-19 PCR testing is its accuracy and reliability. This is the most accurate test available for COVID-19 detection.
Are there any disadvantages to a COVID-19 PCR test?
Because the test can detect very small amounts of virus material, it can continue to detect fragments of SARS-CoV-2 virus even after you recover COVID-19 and is no longer contagious. So you can continue to test positive if you had it COVID-19 in the distant past, although you could not spread the SARS-CoV-2 virus to others.
How does the COVID-19 PCR test compared to a Rapid Antigen test?
Antigen Test: This test detects pieces of protein on the surface of the virus called antigens. Antigen tests are usually considered fast, taking only 15 to 30 minutes, but are less accurate than a PCR test.
Rapid antigen tests are most accurate when used within a few days of the onset of your symptoms, this is when the greatest amount of virus is present in your body. Because this test is not as accurate as a PCR test, you may undergo a PCR test to confirm the negative test result if an antigen test is negative.
How do I find out where I can be tested? COVID-19?
If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed to people who have symptoms or tested positive, you may want to be tested. Talk to your doctor first or visit a health center or hospital in your area.
Source: The Siasat Daily