Standing for Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction, RT PCR is also acknowledged as a molecular test. This test detects genetic material in the virus using a laboratory technique. For conducting RT PCR test in Greater Noida or your local town/city, a skilled healthcare professional collects a fluid sample from your nose or throat using a long nasal swab. Sometimes, the pathologist can ask you to spit saliva on a tube or jar at the lab.
After the sample collection from your mouth, throat, or nose, the pathologist analyses the collected fluid, prepares a report and produces it to you within 1-3 working days. You may wait longer for your test report if the collected fluid sample is sent to other places for analysis. The test report is highly accurate if done as per the set norms and standards.
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Who should get Covid-19 RT PCR test?
Your doctor may ask you for having RT PCR test to detect Covid-19 infection if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Chills or fever
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- Cough
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Sore throat
- Fatigue
- A loss of taste or smell
- Runny nose or congestion in the nose
- Vomiting or nausea
- Diarrhoea
Every person with Covid-19 has no visible symptoms and all symptomatic people have no Covid-19 infection or all the above-mentioned signs. You should check with your healthcare provider and get the test done if you are feeling unwell. If you are vaccinated and feeling unwell, you need to have this test to know whether you have Covid-19 infection or not.
Steps of Covid-19 RT PCR test
Covid-19 RT PCR test follows a three step strategy. The steps are as follows:
- Sample collection – Fluid is taken from the nose or throat back with the use of a long nasal swab. Sometimes, you may be asked to spit your saliva on a tube.
- Extraction – The pathologist isolates or extracts genetic material from the collected fluid sample.
- PCR – In this step, the lab expert applies particular enzymes and chemicals and a PCR machine to analyse the extracted genetic material.
What do Covid-19 RT PCR test mean?
After the test conduction, the pathologist produces a report for your Covid-19 RT PCR test. The report can be positive or negative. Here is what a positive or negative test result mean:
- A positive test result – A positive test result indicates that you have an SARS-CoV-2 infection. This might be due to asymptomatic infection. If you have symptoms, your infection will be called Covid-19. Most persons with mild illness recover safely through care and isolation at home. You need to consult your doctor if your symptoms get worse or you have any concerns.
- A negative test result – A negative Covid-19 RT PCR test means you do not have infection at the time of fluid collection from your mouth, nose, or throat. However, it is possible to have an infection but the test has not detected the virus at the time of analysis. It happens when you take an RT PCR test after 1-2 weeks of having contact with the infected people. You need to stay safe and follow a safe distance from others even if your test result is negative.
You can expect to get your test result within 1-3 working days after producing your sample to a lab technician. Sometimes, you may wait a little longer. Your pathologist will mention the right time to receive your test report.
How long do you test positive after having Covid-19 infection?
The RT PCR test is highly sensitive. It detects the virus material in very small amounts. You can test positive again even if your Covid-19 symptoms have gone from you. So, you should have 2-3 tests after a gap of 15 days and keep following safety measures to stay healthy.
Conclusion
An RT PCR is a highly testing method to detect Covid-19 infections. You should get this test as you suspect of being in contact with infected people or you have symptoms like runny nose, and breath shortness. The test results are available within 1-3 working days after a fluid sample collection. And you should contact your doctor if your symptoms get worse and your test is positive.
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