How Long Does A RT PCR Test Take?

Posted by HHD on July 6th, 2022

The international health authorities recommend the RT PCR test as the most reliable way to test for COVID-19. While there are other options — rapid and serology tests- but the RT PCR is the most accurate test. 

The RT PCR test is the benchmark for COVID-19 testing

The reason that it's considered the best method is because it can detect genetic material from viruses, which other tests cannot do. To understand how this works, imagine there was a room with 50 people inside, and ten were sick with the flu. Usually, you wouldn't know if all those sick had different flu strains or if they had the same strain.  

However, with RT PCR, you could research samples from each person and then compare them to check their similarities and conclude they were indeed part of one outbreak. 

Similarly, if someone comes into your hospital today with symptoms similar to those described above — fever and muscle aches — then you might suspect COVID-19 infection. But before you administer treatment or even admit them into the ICU, it would be wise to run an RT PCR test first! 

RT PCR requires a trained professional to take a nasal swab

To perform PCR for travel huntsville, a trained professional takes a nasal swab from the upper part of your nose, just inside your nostril. The process just takes approximately 5 minutes, and the results will typically be ready within 24 to 72 hours or longer if there are any issues with your sample. 

They then placed these samples in a plastic bag with transport media and sent them to a lab.If you are waiting for your results, you can do a few things:  

  • Wait for the lab to contact you with a result. 

  • Check the status of your sample online.  

Regarding receiving test results, most labs will provide them within 24 hours of submission, but you must read how long it takes for a specific lab to get back with its findings. 

A negative result means that there wasn't enough viral RNA to produce those signals. It doesn't necessarily mean that the patient does not have the virus, but the lab cannot detect it in their blood at this time. 

If you want to know for sure if someone has a viral infection, you will need to collect a fresh blood sample and send it off for testing. This will be called a "viral load" test and can tell whether you have an active infection. 

To whom you should report your positive test

If you've just tested positive for COVID-19 and want to know your next steps, contact your physician or local public health department. The CDC recommends that all patients who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 receive antiviral medications early on in their infection so that it doesn't progress into a chronic condition. 

Remember, not everyone infected with the virus will experience symptoms, which means some people may be walking around you with the disease. If possible, avoid close contact with others and stay home. 

Conclusion

The RT PCR test is the most accurate way to diagnose COVID-19 and can be trusted with a high degree of certainty. If any person has or hasn't any symptoms and wants to know about their infection, they should do this test.  

US Travel provides a same-day pcr testing huntsville result facility with high accuracy and precision. Reach out to them and register your slot for the test. Remember, everyone's life is important. Be a responsible citizen, keep others safe, and get tested. 

 

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HHD

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HHD
Joined: June 23rd, 2022
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