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PCR Test:

PCR means polymerase chain reaction. It is a test to detect genetic material from a specific organism, such as a virus.

The test perfectly detects the virus’s presence in one’s body. It is a molecular test which analyses one’s upper respiratory specimen to find out about the genetic material (Ribonucleic acid or RNA) of SRS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for causing COVID-19.

The doctors, scientists, laboratory staff use the PCR technology to amplify small amounts of RNA from specimens into deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), which is replicated till SARS- CoV – 2 is detectable.

The PCR COVID test is known as a gold standard test for diagnosing COVID-19. This test has been in vogue since February 2020. It is the most accurate test and highly reliable!

About PCR COVID Test Near me

PERSON WHO SHOULD UNDERGO PCR TEST:

Doctors will recommend a patient to undergo a PCR test if he/she has the following systems.

  • High fever or chills
  • Chronic cough
  • Shortness of breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Severe Headache
  • Loss of taste or smell
  • Nausea
  • Non-stop Diarrhoea

The Three Steps Of PCR Test:   

Collection of Sample:

The Doctor will use a swab to collect respiratory material found in the patient’s nose. The swab is a soft tip on a long, flexible stick that goes into one’s nose.

There are different types of nose swabs, including nasal swabs that collect a sample very fast inside one’s nostrils and nasopharyngeal swabs that enters into the nasal cavity and collects specimen.

The swab is sealed in a tube and sent to the laboratory for further checks!

Extraction:

The laboratory scientist upon receiving the sample isolates genetic material from the rest of the material from the sample.

PCR:         

The PCR check is done by using special chemicals and enzymes with the help of a PCR machine called a thermal cycler. The process includes a heating and cooling cycle which increases the amount of genetic material in the test tube.

There are many cycles followed, and then millions of copies of a small portion of the SARS-CoV-2 virus’s genetic material is traced if SARS-CoV- 2 is present in the sample. After the amplification, the PCR machine can detect the signal. Next, the scientists use special software to interpret the signal as a positive test result!

The Test Results:

The positive test results of a PCR test indicate that the person has an infection with the Covid virus! The person develops symptoms means there is an infection. Some of them though develop mild illness and can recover safely at home with less medical assistance.

A negative test result means the person does not have a COVID infection. There are chances of the Virus may be present in the body, but is unable to detect. There could be no symptoms.

The negative test gives relief to the patient as the person is safe and does not have COVID -19 infections. But, it is not guaranteed, that one is safe for a long period. The person may get exposed again by coming in contact with an infected person.

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Sherri Burton