A doctor’s diagnosis was limited to what they could see with their own eyes in the past. In the contemporary era, considerable progress has been achieved in molecular biology and medical diagnostics. Recently, there has been a significant demand for a rapid approach to testing to detect if someone is COVID-19 positive. One of the significant developments in the department of diagnostics has been PCR tests.
PCR tests are used to confirm the presence of viral RNA in the body, which can be discovered before antibodies are produced or symptoms manifest. However, the tests can determine whether the person is infected or not with the virus.
Two different paths are taken up to screen for covid-19; PCR and antibody. The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests are sent to a lab to diagnose for the presence of viral RNA. Whereas antibody (or serology) tests cannot diagnose active infection, they help identify if a person has immunity to Covid-19 or not.
Who Needs To Be Tested?
Everyone. Testing is critical to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Especially if there have been symptoms or known exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, testing should be done regardless of the vaccination status and then quarantine.
Although the risk that fully vaccinated people become infected with SARS-CoV-2, people who experience symptoms identifiable with COVID-19 should isolate themselves and be clinically tested for the disease.
Furthermore, people who are not fully vaccinated should get tested at once when they find out that they have been at close quarters with someone infected. If their test result is negative, they should get tested again 5–7 days after their last exposure or immediately if symptoms develop.
Regardless of symptoms, anyone is now eligible for periodic rapid lateral flow tests. Even though one-third of people infected with COVID-19 do not show any signs, they can still infect others. Therefore, you should be tested regularly. If you’re having surgery, a medical procedure, or traveling abroad, you’ll need to get tested. Getting in touch with the relevant department at your hospital or with CallDoctor for a PCR test in Dubai would indeed be beneficial for your health.
Test types for covid-19
PCR testing is the gold standard. RT PCR test samples are usually sent to a lab for evaluation and are mainly used for people who have symptoms. Various tests can be done to identify the existence of the virus. The most critical tests are listed below:
RT-PCR (Gold Standard): This is the most reliable test, although results can take up to 72 hours or even longer because samples must be analyzed in a fully equipped laboratory. The COVID-19 nasal swab PCR test is an accurate and dependable method of diagnosing COVID-19. A positive test means you have COVID-19. Antigen testing is faster than RT-PCR testing, as results are available in 30 minutes. However, they are less dependable. As a result, the test may miss certain infections, and some patients infected with the COVID-19 virus may have a negative effect (called a false-negative test). Blood tests can also be used to detect COVID-19 IGG antibodies. An IGG test is positive within the first few weeks of the illness. Thus, there are a plethora of reliable antibody tests accessible right now.
PCR Test vs. LFT
Compared to PCR testing, LFT is recommended when there are no symptoms, and the test is done as a part of an exercise to identify infected people. These tests are not as accurate as PCR. They are simply an easy way of picking up a ratio of undiagnosed people who have no symptoms. If a person tests positive with this test, he would need to confirm this by a more accurate PCR. In the meantime, they must self-isolate. But if the test is negative, the person must continue to take the usual precautions such as hand washing, wearing a mask, and social distancing.
Is nose-swab testing harmful?
Health risks are involved when it comes to nose-swab testing. This topic has been a heated debate for a while. But according to many experts, nasal or nose swab testing for COVID-19 is an entirely standard and safe procedure to detect COVID-19. It does not bring forth any substantial risks to the patient except a bit of feeling of discomfort. Although the process does trigger tears when performed because it activates a reflex in our body. The said procedure will not last for more than five seconds per nostril, and to reiterate, there are no lasting effects from the test. It is the swab insertion that has to go quite far into the nose to get a sample of secretions that can be sent to a lab for analysis. But remember, there are no other short or long-term harms that result from the procedure. Furthermore, the nasal swab test technique is standard practice across the world, and it most certainly cannot rupture the blood-brain barrier or the endocrine glands, nor can it infect the brain, as some critics have falsely claimed.
Many COVID-19 testing facilities are located in nearly every location to make life easier in these troubling times, making it convenient for people to be diagnosed and treated as quickly as possible. CallDoctor with its well-versed and experienced staff provides at-home PCR testing in Dubai, 24 hours a day, seven days a week to ensure your safe health and a happy, long life.
