You may have a diagnostic
Covid-19 testing done to find out if you are currently infected with the virus
that causes coronavirus disease - Covid-19.
The Health
Authorities have approved these types of tests for diagnosing Covid-19:
·
RT-PCR test. Also called a molecular test, this Covid-19 test detects genetic
material of the virus using a laboratory technique called reverse transcription
polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). A healthcare professional collects a fluid
sample by inserting a long nasal swab (nasopharyngeal swab) into your nostril
and taking fluid from the back of your nose. A sample may be collected by using
a shorter nasal swab (mid-turbinate swab) or a very short swab (anterior nares
swab). In some cases, healthcare professional inserts a long swab into the back
of your throat (oropharyngeal swab). Or you may spit into a tube to produce a
saliva sample.
When the sample is sent to an outside laboratory, RT-PCR tests are
very accurate when properly performed by a healthcare professional but the
rapid test may fail to detect some cases.
·
Antigen test. This Covid-19 test detects certain proteins in the virus. Using a
long nasal swab to get a fluid sample, some antigen tests can produce results
in minutes. Others may have to be sent to a laboratory for analysis.
A positive antigen test result is considered accurate when instructions
are carefully followed. But there is an increased chance of false-negative
results - meaning it is possible to be infected with the virus but have a
negative result. Depending on the situation, the healthcare provider may
recommend a RT-PCR test to confirm a negative antigen test result.
Why Is The Tests Done?
A Covid-19
diagnostic test may be needed if:
·
You
have Covid-19 symptoms, such as fever, cough, tiredness or shortness of
breath.
·
You
have had close contact with someone with Covid-19. Close contact means you have
been within 6 feet (2 meters) of a person who has Covid-19, or you live with
someone with Covid-19. If you have had close contact with someone who has the
Covid-19 virus, get tested at least five days after you have had contact
with them.
·
Your
healthcare provider, other healthcare professional or your public health
department may recommend a test if you are not fully vaccinated.
·
You are
required to take a test for screening purposes, such as at some schools or
workplaces.
You do not need to
be tested if you have had Covid-19 in the last three months.
Certain groups are
considered high priority for diagnostic testing. These include people with
Covid-19 signs and symptoms who:
·
Work in
a healthcare facility.
·
Live or
work in long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes, or other places where
people are housed closely together, such as prisons or shelters.
·
Are
being cared for in a hospital.
Other people may
be given priority for testing depending on local health department guidelines
for monitoring Covid-19 in
individual communities.
Some people who
have Covid-19 may not have symptoms (asymptomatic). But they can still
spread the virus that causes Covid-19 to others. People with no symptoms
can be tested. If people without symptoms have a positive test result, they
should follow guidelines for self-isolation to help curb the spread of the
virus.
The availability of Covid-19 diagnostic testing and where to get tested may vary depending on where you live based on the recommendations of your local public health officials.
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