PCR Covid Test Vs Rapid Test: Which Is More Effective?

covid 19

If you are feeling quite low on health, or you were just in close contact with someone with COVID-19, you must look into your COVID-19 Testing choices. You might have heard a lot about Coronavirus Testing. On the other, if you think you have symptoms of COVID-19 and need a test, immediately visit a healthcare provider. Because, unless or until the Testing Phase of COVID-19 is complete, the treatment concerning the Coronavirus has to be initiated accordingly. Today, there is no need to wait for hours to get Coronavirus Test Result. It is very instant and results are retrieved instantly. The timeframe concerning PCR COVID test VS RAPID COVID test is relatively low and can be acquired instantly. The aspect of when to get along with the Treatment & Testing of the COVID-19 process is elaborated below.

Rapid Antigen Test.

A rapid antigen test can be managed with or without symptoms of COVID-19. This test involves gathering nose and throat discharge through the nasopharyngeal swab and then delivering fast results within 15 minutes. This test is considered to be instant and more correct than PCR tests. If you feel weather-changing problems including flu, coughing, or fever receiving a negative rapid test, you may want to PCR test for further confirmation. Though, a Rapid antigen test normally provides an accurate result as this is the time when virus quantity in the body is found to the highest extent.

PCR Test

PCR tests are like the COVID-19 test in several ways. The PCR Tests are considered high yielding when it comes to COVID-19 testing. If you have ever been asked to show proof of a COVID-19 test, you need to provide results from a PCR Test. These tests provide more accurate results than other tests. That’s because they use a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to know the viral infection of COVID-19.

PCR COVID Test VS Rapid Test.

Your doctor may recommend a COVID-19 Test if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • Cough
  • Fever
  • Shortness of breath
  • Fatigue
  • Body pain
  • Loss of smell
  • Loss of taste
  • Sore throat
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea

These symptoms do not develop in everyone with COVID-19. Although, the patient having COVID-19 does not develop all the symptoms listed above. Even if you’ve been vaccinated despite this if you’re feeling unwell in this situation you should need a COVID-19 test.

What Do Covid-19 PCR Test Results Mean?

A Positive Test Result.

It means when you have an infection with SARS-COV-2. This is because of asymptomatic infection, but if you have any symptoms, then this infection is called COVID-19. Normally, people stay in their own homes. They think that they will be recovered safely at home without medical care. On the other hand, if your symptoms get worse or if you have any questions or concerns about this, you must contact or visit your healthcare.

A Negative Test Result.

A negative test result means you didn’t have an infection with SARS-COV-2 at the time your case was possibly indicating that. Conversely, it is possible to have COVID-19 but not have the virus diagnosed by the test. This condition, usually, may come about, or it could become plague-ridden, but you don’t have symptoms right these days, or it could happen. If you’ve had COVID-19 for more than a week before actually tasting it, it also might show a negative result. When you are feeling the symptoms of COVID, talk to your doctor, stay at your home, and get yourself isolated from others. Meanwhile, if your test is negative, take steps to care for yourself and others from getting COVID-19.

How long do you test positive after having COVID-19?

PCR test, RAPID COVID-19 test Rapid Antigen Test is so sensitive. They can discover very small amounts of virus traces. The test can continue to detect the prevalence and traces of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It also affects you after you’ve recovered from COVID-19 and are no longer catching it. So, you may remain to test COVID-19 positive if you’ve had COVID-19 in the distant past. Although, you can’t spread the SARS-CoV-2 virus to others.

Getting Tested.

If you are tested, or you may be ambiguous, you should quarantine and isolate yourself from others at home till you receive your test results and also follow the recommendation of your doctor or your health care provider.

Dr. Abbas
Dr. Abbas Raza Mian, MD, is an experienced health care provider primarily located in Dallas, TX. He has specializes in Internal Medicine, Other Specialty, and Hospital Medicine. Dr. Mian is affiliated with a regional medical center.

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