Three Types Of Coronavirus Tests, As Well As Which Kind Of One Is The Absolute Most Accurate

Three Types Of Coronavirus Tests, As Well As Which Kind Of One Is The Absolute Most Accurate


We've gradually learned about the various test options offered in health facilities and doctors' offices for coronavirus. Some are built on mucus, and other tests rely on blood or saliva. How can you choose the right test for you with all the choices? And do they all work the identical method? or give you the exact identical information?

We'll start with the fundamentals. There are currently two main types of COVID-19 tests: diagnostic tests that look for coronavirus infections that are active in saliva or mucus and blood tests that hunt for antibodies that show your immune system has encountered the virus before.

Let's suppose your doctor recommends an examination to rule out or confirm a coronavirus infection. However, even among those בדיקת קורונה, important differences exist. There are two ways to determine SARS CoV-2 which is the virus responsible for COVID-19. Antigen tests examine the virus's coating. Other tests look for the coronavirus' nucleic acids (such the RNA).

The RNA tests are extremely sensitive. They can be positive even after somebody has recovered from illness and not shedding the virus that could spread to other people.

Although antigen tests are fast and inexpensive but they're not always as precise than RNA tests to detect the novel coronavirus. The tests for antigen could be more prone to false negative results. This means they are more likely not to identify active infections.

Finding the right COVID test

The best test, in turn will depend on the end goal, such as confirming an active COVID infection; identifying asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic individuals who might be shedding virus, or determining whether someone previously had COVID. There is no one test method that will meet all your needs and solve every problem.

Here are the facts about COVID testing, their purpose and what they could show you.

Molecular test (aka PCR or RNA test)

They are the most sensitive tests to detect active infections. They are also highly accurate. If you suspect you may be suffering from COVID, you may be asked to take it. You might also be asked to take this test if you need to show your employer or to your college that you are not suffering from the disease before returning to your workplace or college

In the majority of cases the health professional will take mucus from your nose or throat using a specialized swab. Some molecular tests employ saliva, which can be more comfortable for some people. The molecular tests are also known as מעבדות קורונה בדיקת קורונה which is a reference to polymerase chain reaction, the technique used by laboratories to identify the genetic material that makes up the virus. The explanation is provided by the US Food and Drug Administration. The Mayo Clinic explains that turnaround time can vary from minutes to days, according to whether the specimen was taken to an outside laboratory or was analyzed on site.

Antigen test (aka rapid test)

Since it takes shorter time to finish this type of diagnostic test, it's often referred to as a "rapid" test. It's also less expensive to manufacture. Antigen tests are commonly used to identify large groups of travelers at airports as the latest Nature article explains.

From the patient's point of standpoint, testing for antigens works similar to as molecular testing. Your doctor will take a sample of your throat or nose to collect a sample for testing. However, instead of waiting for days for the results the test for antigen can give a result within just a few minutes, says the FDA. If you're positive the odds are good The tests for antigen are extremely precise. These tests can miss active infections more often than they should. The doctor might recommend molecular testing to eliminate false negatives in the event that you exhibit signs of COVID.

Antibody test (aka serology test or blood test)

The test is designed to detect antibodies to the coronavirus. Antibodies are the proteins that the immune system makes to fight against an foreign intruder, such as viruses. The COVID-19 test for antibodies cannot diagnose coronavirus infection that is active. All it tells you is whether you've been infected at sometime in the past, even if that occurred several months ago. Once an infection has started there is no way to detect antibodies.

At-home, FDA-approved antibody tests aren't offered. A healthcare specialist will require your blood samples via an insertion of a finger or draw blood from a vein inside the arm. The majority of these tests take place at a central lab which could take a couple of days to complete. However, the FDA just approved the first point-of-care antibody coronavirus test, making it possible for doctors' clinics and hospitals and urgent care centers as well as emergency rooms, to receive an answer in just 15 minutes by using blood taken from a fingertip of a person.

Antibody testing has a role in the current pandemic because it provides information about the frequency of infection in the population and the prevalence of asymptomatic infections as per the FDA. 



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