CT Scans Detect COVID-19

Posted by WilliamJames on May 18th, 2021

The whole world is fighting with this deadly virus. To come out of it, there are several diagnostic strategies used and being developed in the background for faster and better testing and detection of the novel coronavirus. Among these, the most viral testing kit is Reverse-Transcriptase-Polymerase-Chain-Reaction (RT-PCR).

Role of RT-PCR and CT scan

Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is a nasopharyngeal swab test in which samples are collected through the shallow swab of the nose and by testing saliva in the mouth to test the possibility of the presence of the virus. 

On the other hand, the CT scan NJ is also used to detect the virus. Under the guidance and supervision of experts, the scan needs to be done to diagnose and evaluate the severity of the virus. CT scan is efficient to show attributes including areas of ground-glass, signs of abnormal paving pattern, consolidating pulmonary opacity in advanced stages.

CT scan or RT-PCR Tests

A group of doctors working in the emergency COVID department has claimed that more COVID-19 cases could be detected more easily and quickly with the help of a CT scan of the chest rather than RT-PCR tests. This is because:

• We all know COVID-19 is a respiratory disease, and the CT scan comes in rescue to give a clear image of the lungs. RT-PCR tests help only when the virus is in the throat or nasal. 

• There have been many cases where RT-PCR tests of the symptomatic patients came negative. But after a CT scan, they were confirmed COVID positive.

• RT-PCR tests would only triumph to detect infection from Day 1 to Day 8. CT scan can detect after Day 5 of transmission. Another setback of RT-PCR tests is the result of a CT scan comes within 15 minutes, whereas RT-PCR results take at least 24 hours to arrive.

• In the absence of COVID-19 vaccines or any therapeutic drugs, it is utmost necessary to identify the disease at an early stage and instantly quarantine the infected patient from the unaffected mass and provide early intervention services.

• In the epidemic area, a CT scan might be useful to give better sensitivity as it is a more reliable source to detect the virus and also for its rapid testing capacity. Radiologists follow an index named as CO-RADS to support the severity of the infection.

As most common tests are time-consuming and invasive, the CT scan is a way out to detect COVID radiologically. The trustworthy center is Radiology Centre at Harding located in Morristown, New Jersey. You can visit this center to get a genuine finding.

With the AI operating system and specialists, widespread testing is possible in this alarming situation faced across the world.