The outbreak and the impact of the second wave of coronavirus affected us all. The Covid-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on innocent people and their lives. COVID-19 RT PCR Test became the first line of treatment for everyone who became exposed to the virus.
This super contagious infection claimed millions of lives around the world. Every day some new mutants crop up and baffle the scientific community and medical professionals alike. These are tough times, and the damage has been done at an epic proportion.
While wearing a mask, washing hands, sanitizing, quarantining, and social distancing became a norm, these approaches helped us keep the virus at bay. But the contagious virus still manages to break through, and hence, it is important to trace the primary and secondary contacts by COVID-19 RT PCR Test in Delhi NCR.
With the third wave of coronavirus lurking at large, testing has been ramped up and conducted faster than ever before. Here is a guideline as to how you can get tested for coronavirus infection.
What types of tests are available for Covid-19 Testing?
There are essentially two types of tests:
Antigen test (also known as a rapid test) detects protein fragments specific to the novel coronavirus. COVID-19 RT PCR Test in Delhi NCR can be performed in any reliable diagnostic laboratory. The turnaround time for results is usually quick and, in some, can even be reported in 30 mins.
RT-PCR test: COVID-19 RT PCR Test is acknowledged as the “gold standard” in SARS-CoV-2 detection. The test usually detects the RNA (or genetic material) specific to the virus. Within days of your infection or even with no symptoms, the virus can be detected quickly, and there is a turnaround time of a day.
How to Get Tested For Covid-19?
Coronavirus is tested either by conducting an RT-PCR test or rapid antigen test. Healthcare professionals dressed in Covid-19 paraphernalia, including Personal Protective Equipment suits, gloves, masks, and shields, will collect samples from the patient either from the nose or throat with a swab.
Who Needs COVID-19 RT PCR Test?
You should get tested if you have symptoms or encountered the following situations in the last week. All individuals with:
- Cold
- Cough
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Headache, especially with a recent history of travel, should take a test.
- Came in contact with individuals already confirmed with coronavirus infection.
- Patients having severe acute respiratory infection
- People living in highly contained zones or hotspots
- If you visited hospitals to get treated for other illnesses.
Difference between RT-PCR test and Antigen Test
RT-PCR Test: As of now, the Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test is one of the most recommended tests globally. COVID-19 RT PCR Test helps traced the infection in individuals suffering from influenza-like symptoms. The test has higher accuracy and a 100 percent sensitivity rate. The swab samples are analyzed for reagents to detect the presence of the virus, and the test can detect the virus even before the emergence of symptoms.
Rapid Antigen Test: The rapid antigen test is used to detect patients who are quite symptomatic. A sample collection from the nose or throat is taken, and the test results can be revealed within an hour. Even if your rapid antigen test comes negative, the doctors recommend that you wait a couple of days before confirming the presence of the virus.
Doctors are of the opinion that in some cases, the rapid antigen test should be backed by the COVID-19 RT PCR Test to completely rule out the possibility of infection.
