Pcr covid test meaning

The majority of covid 19 testing happening in the u s. This test actually detects rna or genetic material that is specific to the virus and can detect the virus within days of infection even those who have no symptoms. The mayo clinic put together a page explaining what pcr testing is but i ll go ahead and briefly summarise the. A pcr test for covid 19 is a test used to diagnosis people who are currently infected with sars cov 2 which is the coronavirus that causes covid 19. Pcr testing is considered the gold standard in sars cov 2 detection. Some testing sites don t. A single negative covid 19 test should not be used as a rule out in patients with strongly suggestive symptoms. The pcr test forms the basis of a number of tests that can answer many different medical questions that help physicians diagnose and treat patients. Who should get tested for covid 19. If you have been within six feet of someone for 15 minutes or more who has tested positive for covid 19. Pre or post exposure prophylaxis prep or pep which is heavily promoted for hiv often based on pcr testing is discouraged or forbidden for covid although much safer and cheaper than for hiv. There are two main categories of coronavirus tests out there. For more information on diagnosis and testing see civil defense perspectives posted june 2020. If you have symptoms of covid 19. The remainder of these faqs apply to the covid 19 pcr test.

As of june 2020 the pcr test was in use most commonly to identify the genetic material of the deadly sars cov 2 coronavirus responsible for the covid 19 pandemic. Viral testing which includes both pcr polymerase chain reaction tests and antigen tests and serology testing. This is the covid 19 pcr test to detect that an infection occurred at some point in the past a serology blood test is done to detect antibodies to sars cov 2 note. A laboratory method called pcr is used that stands for polymerase chain reaction. The pcr test is the gold standard test for diagnosing covid 19 because it s the most accurate and reliable test. Broadly viral tests for current infection and rely on a nasal swab throat swab or saliva. Molecular test aka rna or pcr test these diagnostic tests are considered the most sensitive for detecting an active infection and the results are highly accurate. To diagnose a sars cov 2 infection now a nasal swab is used to detect the rna of sars cov 2 virus. Right now uses polymerase chain reaction pcr technology. A positive rt pcr test for covid 19 test has more weight than a negative test because of the test s high specificity but moderate sensitivity. You might take one if you or.

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