Who should I COVID-19 test?
Depending on local health regulations, those with COVID-19 symptoms should consider getting tested. If you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus, work in a healthcare facility or as a first responder, live or work in long-term care facilities. Such as nursing homes, or other places where people live near each other, homeless shelters, need medical procedures are being cared for in a hospital or long-term care facility, or need to be vaccinated, you may need to be tested, or you need to know about pcr test at home Dubai price, even if you have no symptoms.
To diagnose a current COVID-19 infection, what form of test is used?
RT-PCR: this is the most accurate test, but it can take up to 72 hours, or even longer to acquire results because samples may test in a properly equipped laboratory.
Antigen testing is faster than RT-PCR tests, with results arriving in as little as 30 minutes. However, they are less reliable. As a result, the test may not detect all infections, and some people infected with the COVID-19 virus may receive a negative result (called a false-negative test).
Choose the RT-PCR test if you have the choice because it provides more accurate results.
An antibody test may be available in some countries. This test only determines whether you have had COVID-19 in the past; An antibody test determines whether you have a specific protein in your blood that your body produces when it fights a virus-like COVID-19 from a previous infection. However, a positive test could suggest that you have antibodies to a virus from the same family as COVID-19, such as the one that causes the common cold.
While antibodies usually protect you from getting the same virus again, there isn’t enough information to know if and how much protection COVID-19 antibodies can provide. Antibody testing can not guarantee that you will not spread COVID-19, therefore you should continue to take precautions such as staying at home, keeping a safe distance from others, wearing a face mask, and isolating yourself if your symptoms develop.
What is the procedure for administering the test? Is it a painful experience?
A doctor, nurse, or lab technician inserts a small, flexible stick with cotton at the tip into your nose to collect an adequate sample of your mucous for RT-PCR and antigen tests. Swabs from both nostrils may be necessary to gather enough mucus for the test. This can be a little unpleasant, but it’s not too bad.
How long does it take time to get the results?
The length of time it takes to receive your results can define by the type of test used. Antigen tests can perform at some testing centers and clinics, which means you can have your findings within an hour or on the same day as the test. Other centers use an RT-PCR test, which requires sending samples to an outside lab for examination. Your results may not be available for a few days if this is the case. While you wait for the results, you should self-isolate or quarantine, whatever the test you used.
What should I do if I get a positive result test?
If you share a home with other family members, they must take steps as well to limit their risk of becoming infected and spreading the virus. COVID-19 symptoms may evaluate in all family members. They should separate themselves until their symptoms go away.
What should I do if I get a negative result test?
If you get a negative test result, it means you don’t have COVID-19. Continue to use proper hand hygiene, maintain physical distance, and cover your face. This is especially critical if you are experiencing symptoms, as you may have the virus but the test did not find it.