When the pandemic began without a vaccine to protect us, we had to submit to self-managed care and get tested at medical centers that would let us know whether or not the biosecurity measures had worked in the end.
However, it is a good thing that these tests have benefits like: speed in performing them, effectiveness in their results and a low level of discomfort in their procedure.
This has allowed millions of tests to be done every day around the world and keeps us up to date on how the situation is going socially in terms of the virus.
If you’ve already taken a COVID-19 test, you’ll have learned about the types of them. If not, today we’ll tell you a little bit about each of them and their differences:
Molecular tests or PCR: Take this name for the acronym “Polymerase Chain Reaction” and are the most recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), because their results that indicate whether you are positive or negative for COVID-19 are usually very accurate.
The way to perform it is through a small tube introduced through the nasal passages, to take some of the genetic material found in the patient’s respiratory secretions. This may indicate whether the virus has been present in the body since the beginning of the infection.
The procedure is quick, but the result can be obtained in a few hours.
Serological tests or fast tests: As its name indicates, they were seen in the necessity to begin its use to obtain much more rapid results. It also has less sensitivity than PCR.
It is performed by taking some of the patient’s blood, usually from a prick on the index finger, and this is inserted into a device similar to a pregnancy test. The result is also obtained in a few minutes.
However, the difference in this test is that it indicates the immune responses to the virus. That is, it detects whether you have created antibodies and whether these antibodies respond or have ever responded to this infection.
The WHO does not recommend these tests to diagnose a patient who needs immediate care because he or she has strong symptoms that indicate contagion.
It is more used for those who have doubts or who were previously indicated as positive, to determine if the virus is still present inside the body.
Finally, it is important to clarify that these tests were intended for the social care of all. This means that they are not only intended for those who have strong symptoms of the virus. It is also to rule out the possibility of having it, or to avoid massive contagion, such as: finding out that you were close to an infected person and want to rule out your contagion, in order to avoid bringing it to your family.
Or, if you want to reopen your company and need to know the result of the virus in your employees to prevent massive contagion.
Taking the COVID-19 test is about taking care of yourself and those you love