Begin here: There are tests available to diagnose a current infection and determine whether you have previously been infected with SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19. Because there is a public health emergency, this authorizes manufacturers to commercialize tests without formal FDA clearance.
Because this is a new coronavirus, and COVID-19 is a recent illness, knowledge regarding available diagnostics is limited, and testing possibilities are constantly evolving. The accuracy, cost, suggested usage for persons of various ages, and ease of the PCR test in Dallas TX varies. Check the FDA’s updated list of permitted tests, including links to the test producers’ websites, for more specific information on particular difficulties and PCR tests for travel.
Current infection diagnostic tests
Following are the types of diagnostics tests for COVID-19:
- Molecular tests and antigen testing.
How are molecular tests (also known as PCR, viral RNA, and nucleic acid tests) performed? And What is the location of this test? In a hospital, a doctor’s office, your automobile, or even your own house. The FDA has approved a non-prescription molecular test for use at home.
What is the purpose of the test? In numerous instances, far longer turnaround times have been reported.
The false-positive rate, or the percentage of times the test claims you have the virus when you don’t, should be around zero. The majority of false-positive findings are assumed to be caused by lab contamination or other issues with how the lab performed the test rather than test restrictions. On the other hand, people in hospitals may have different samples obtained.
- Tests for antigens
What is the procedure? A swab of the nose or throat.
What is the purpose of the test? This test finds viral protein fragments (antigens). The technique is comparable to pregnancy tests or fast strep tests, and results are available in minutes.
What about precision? Antigen testing provides false-negative findings more frequently than molecular tests. The FDA does not recommend antigen testing as a single test for current infection. Some experts advocate repeated antigen testing as a feasible technique since it is faster, less costly, and needs less complicated technology than molecular testing. Antigen testing, like molecular testing, should have a low percentage of false positives.
- Tests for antibodies (also called serologic testing)
What is the procedure? A blood sample is collected.
Where may these tests be obtained? A doctor’s office, a blood testing facility, or a hospital are all excellent.
How long does it take for results to appear? Within a few days, the results are generally accessible.
Antibody levels may diminish in a matter of months, according to research.
The exact accuracy of COVID-19 testing is unknown.
Unfortunately, none of these tests are known to be 100% accurate. This is due to several factors:
- For these tests, we don’t have specific accuracy values — only some generally claimed estimates for false negatives and false positives, such as those mentioned above. False-negative testing can give false confidence, leading to delayed treatment and loosened limitations even though the virus is dangerous. False positives, which are far less common, might create unnecessary concern and force patients to quarantine.
- Because these tests many laboratories and firms offer,r these tests may vary.
- Because the virus is new, all of these tests are novel. Accuracy judgments can only be approximate without a long track record.
- There is no definite “gold standard” test against which they may be compared.
What is the cost of testing?
It’s crucial to inquire about costs, especially if you’re being sent to the emergency room or a private testing facility. Free testing is available in some communities. To learn more, click online or call your town or municipal government.
Last but not least
We could test ourselves before going to work, school, or otherwise spending time with others if we had access to quick, accurate, and low-cost 24 Hr Dallas Emergency Room. But we’re not quite there yet.
While we’re fortunate to have a pretty reliable PCR test in Dallas, TX so early in the courses covered virus, we need better diagnostics and easier access. They should ideally be covered by health insurance or made available for free to uninsured individuals. Finally, comprehensive testing and quick turnaround times for findings are critical for successful contact tracing and keeping the virus under control during immunization.
