What’s The Difference Between COVID-19 Rapid and PCR Tests?
As New Year’s Day approaches, the number of new crown infections is also rising. Therefore, once you have symptoms of infection. Or you are exposed to the new coronavirus. If you are going to an environment with a high risk of infection.
You must continue to be tested.
Currently two COVID-19 detection methods-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test (also known as reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction test) and a rapid antigen test.
So, which detection method should we choose? What is the difference between the two?
On the COVID-19 website, terms such as PCR, rapid test, and antibody test are difficult to understand and which one is correct for you. In this article, our goal is to explain the difference between the two most common tests for diagnosing COVID-19: rapid antigen test and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.
Rapid antigen test
Antigen test (often called rapid test). This test detects protein fragments specific to coronavirus. We can do the antigen test in a clinic, doctor’s office or hospital. The turnaround time for results is usually very fast, and in some cases, we can get report results within 15 minutes. There are usually false negatives (the results indicate that the patient does not actually have a coronavirus) or false positives (the results indicate that the patient does not actually have the coronavirus).
If you feel unwell and have undergone a rapid negative test, you may need to undergo a PCR test for further confirmation. However, when someone is at the peak of infection, rapid antigen testing usually provides accurate results because this is when the virus levels in the body are highest.
The rapid antigen test is usually used as a screening tool to detect that you may be infected with the new crown, but PCR monitoring is required to confirm the final result.
Although a negative rapid antigen test result does not necessarily mean that you are not infected, it at least protects your contacts than not testing at all.
PCR TEST
PCR swab tests are similar to rapid tests in several respects because they can be used in symptomatic or asymptomatic patients and can be tested with nasopharyngeal swabs.
The swab test is considered the “gold standard” for SARS-CoV-2 detection. This test actually detects RNA (or genetic material) unique to the virus, and it can detect the virus within a few days of infection, even for those who have no symptoms. This test can be performed in a clinic, hospital or even in your car. The turnaround time is longer, generally in the range of 2-3 days, but the result may be within 24 hours. When the demand is high, the result may take a week or more.
What if the rapid test is negative but there are still symptoms?
The current recommendation is that if you still have symptoms and the rapid test is negative, you should have a confirmation test (PCR test). This is especially true if you have high-risk exposures. High-risk exposure is considered to be contacted with a COVID-19 positive individual for more than 15 minutes within 24 hours, and the distance between you and the individual is no more than 6 feet.
What kind of test should be done? When will it be done?
RT-PCR (reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction) detection if the following situations occur:
1. Symptoms of new crown infection appear.
2. Having contact with people infected with the new crown.
3. The rapid antigen test result is positive, and PCR identification is required.
4. The Ministry of Health requires testing before lifting the quarantine.
5. The Ministry of Health requires that an inspection must be carried out before obtaining permission to travel to a certain area.
If you want a quick antigen test:
1. Have a plan to go to a place with a high risk of infection.
2. Contact with high-risk groups (such as the elderly) and hope to protect them.
3. You have symptoms of COVID-19, but you cannot go to the PCR test site.
4. Activities with a large number of participants in the field, if indoor activities are carried out, the risk of infection is greater.
5. Check whether you have the SARS-CoV-2 virus as soon as possible.
6. Participate in regular COVID monitoring projects.