Coronavirus: Diagnostic tests

Testing for diseases is important because in most cases the quicker you can diagnose someone better their chance of recovery. This is the particular case for cancer where early detection and accurate diagnosis can ensure people are given the most effective treatment as quickly as possible. For coronavirus, testing serves to identify people who are infected or who have been infected with the virus in past.


There are following types of test for coronavirus

  • A PCR swab test to find out whether you currently have coronavirus
  • An antibody blood test to find out whether you have previously had coronavirus and may have some degree of immunity
  • The New Saliva test  
PCR Swab test: 
PCR (Polymerase chain reaction) in this test a swab of the nose or thorat is taken and sent to the lab. This test used to check virus genetic material. PCR is also widely used test to detect genetic material from cancer cells obtained from a biopsy. 


While a PCR test for diseases such as coronavirus or cancer can be reliable. A negative report from the test suggest that person is uninfected with the virus. This can be happen if swab doesn't pick up enough of virus or if a person is only at the beginning of their infection and a lot of the virus is present.

How PCR test work 
RT- PCR ( real time polymerase chain reaction) is used to detect coronavirus COVID-19 from a nasopharyngeal ( nasal secretion ) sample, also known as a nasal swab. PCR is the method being used to determine the results of tests done via a testing kit. PCR COVID-19 tests are mostly being produced by Roche Diagnostics, LabCorp, and Thermo Fisher scientific.

The PCR test is useful because it helps health services make informed decisions about the number of intensive care beds likely to be needed or whether a healthcare worker with a cough should stay home to self isolate. 
PCR tests can take up several days to process however in some instances rapid test results can be delivered in less than an hour 

Antibody the blood test:
This test checks to see if individuals have immunity to the COVID-19 virus by looking for specific antibody in the bloodstream. Antibody are small proteins that are part of our immune system. They are produced to defend our body against a specific virus, for example coronavirus COVID-19, the blood test looks for the specific antibodies that fight infection from the coronavirus. According to the CDC ( Center of disease control) it normally takes one to two weeks after someone become sick with coronavirus for there body to make antibodies others may take even longer to develop antibodies.

 
How antibody test work 
The test checks to see if we have the antibodies for COVID-19. Antibody levels are detected through a test called ELISA, or serological enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, and ultimately tests for the amount of antibodies in the blood for specific viruses. The test tells us if we already had the virus, but it is not currently being used for quick detection like the swab test. Antibody tests can detect the virus even after the patients has recovered.

The new saliva test 
FDA  (Food and Drug Administration) approved the use of saliva samples as a means of emergency testing for COVID-19. This test is less invasive than taking a nasopharyngeal sample and involves giving a saliva sample in tube.



How saliva test work 
The new saliva test uses a similar protocol to that of the nasopharyngeal PCR test. The amplifies a segment of viral genetic code to detect the presence of the virus. 

The implications of this test include decreasing the risk of health care professionals who previously had to come into close contact with patients in order to administer a test. 

Following people should be considered for COVID-19 test 
  • Symptomatic like having fever, sore throat, running nose, dyspnea, etc 
  • Individuals who have traveled to affected countries 
  • Close contact of confirmed postive case of COVID-19 infection 


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