COVID-19 is still a developing pandemic. With new variants and strains, the need for testing is still as necessary as ever before. So if you have concerns about exposure, you may be asking yourself — how do they test for coronavirus?
Here, we’ll break down the types of coronavirus tests, their accuracy, and what to do after receiving your coronavirus test results.
To start, let’s discuss the two categories of COVID-19 testing. First, a diagnostic test, also called a viral test, determines if you are actively carrying an infection. Second, an antibody test is used to identify if a past infection has occurred.
FDA-approved diagnostic tests include:
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- The nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), also referred to as a COVID PCR test, is a molecular test that looks explicitly for RNA, the virus’s genetic material. Suppose the genetic makeup of the virus is found in your mucus during a coronavirus saliva test. In that case, it will give a positive result, even if you have no symptoms.
- Antigen tests work the same way as NAATs by identifying specific virus material in your saliva and mucus. The difference is that antigen tests are rapid tests and produce results in minutes, compared to the days it takes to receive NAAT results.
When people refer to a coronavirus blood test, they most likely mean antibody testing. The easiest way to discover if antibodies are present in the immune system is through a finger stick or blood draw.
Diagnostic testing is now widely available to anyone of any age who needs it. Healthcare providers administer tests for the coronavirus. Tests are also available at designated testing sites and can be done with a prescribed at-home kit.
How Accurate Are the Test Results?
The accuracy of COVID-19 diagnostic and antibody testing can rely heavily on the timing of the test. When using at-home test kits, accurate results can also depend significantly on adequately following instructions. While the tests themselves are valid and reliable instruments, results can seem skewed if administered outside the optimal testing window.
For example, a recent study found that when people tested five days after symptoms began, a false negative was present in 20% of cases who were positive for the infection. However, when testing occurs within less than five days of being symptomatic, the false-negative rate can increase to nearly 100%.
Also, a false negative rapid COVID test can occur due to antigen tests being less sensitive to detecting virus material when compared to NAATs. When it comes to the rapid COVID test false positive rate, it is relatively low. The same can be said regarding false positive results for NAATs and antibody testing. When they occur, the cause is usually sample contamination.
All in all, the accuracy of COVID-19 testing can easily be compared to that of pregnancy testing. If you test too soon, detection levels may not be high enough and can yield a false negative. In addition, false positives are rare.
Understanding Your Test Results and After Steps to Take
While awaiting coronavirus test results, you should behave as if you have the virus. If you test positive for COVID-19, you should take preventive action to care for yourself and protect others from contracting the virus. This means isolating yourself from others and wearing a mask when contact is unavoidable. The same applies if you are symptomatic but tested negative for the virus.
When you receive a follow-up PCR COVID test, you may continue to test positive for the virus even after recovery. This is because the virus material, RNA, can remain detectable for months following contraction.
A positive antibody test combined with a negative diagnostic test means you were once infected with the virus but have since recovered and are likely no longer contagious.
If you received a coronavirus antibody test and the result is equivocal, it was neither positive nor negative. This result could be due to a weak immune response, interference of a similar infection, or a defective testing kit.
While research is still being conducted on the immune response to COVID-19, there is evidence that people who have contracted the virus develop some level of immunity.
Conclusion
Testing for coronavirus is now accessible to anyone who wants and needs it. You can expect a nasal swab with antigen tests and NAATs. Although rare, some people who have previously contracted the virus or been vaccinated have later tested positive for COVID-19.
Thus, it is crucial to get tested when any new symptoms related to the virus arise or if you have been in close contact with an infected person. It is also necessary to get a COVID-19 test for travel purposes.
In addition, the coronavirus can have more severe outcomes for people with chronic care conditions. To learn more about chronic care management and COVID-19 testing, request an appointment today. Be sure to visit our rapid coronavirus testing service page to learn more.