Filenews 4 January 2022
Testing for the coronavirus is the best way to reduce the rate of spread of the "Omikron" mutation and beyond. There are two main categories of tests for coronavirus, PCRs and antigen tests. The former look for the genetic material (RNA) of the virus within our biological fluids, while the latter recognize the proteins produced by the virus. PCRs are performed only in specialized laboratories, while antigen tests, i.e. rapid and self-tests are performed almost anywhere, in a pharmacy, at home, in a hospital, etc. It is clarified that the devices with which the self and rapid test are performed are exactly the same. The difference in rapid is that the material is taken from the nose or mouth by a qualified professional, so it is even more likely to be accurate. When it comes to comparing the two types of tests, the "New York Times" points out that PCRs are much more valid and detailed than rapid ones and can identify the infection earlier. However, rapid has the advantage that it can be done at any time and is economical.
When is the best time for a self or rapid test?
Two hours before the meeting with acquaintances and friends, it is the best we can do, comments dr. Michael Mina, a former professor of Epidemiology at Harvard University, in the "New York Times". He points out that a negative test does not eliminate the risk of transmitting the coronavirus, so it is important not to forget the rest of the protective measures, such as social distancing, masks and hand sanitization.
What should I do if I can't find a test before the party or the party?
According to Robert Watster, president of the University of California School of Medicine at San Francisco, if you can't take a test, you'll have to decide how much risk you're willing to take for the people you meet. "If I was in a place where everyone had done the third dose and it was low risk, then I could go without taking a test. If there were older people or with underlying diseases, then I wouldn't go to the party," comments Dr. Watster.
If I have contact with a case today, when should I take the test?
The "Omikron" mutation brings reversals even in the time we have to test after suspicious contact with a confirmed case. Tests with previous mutations showed after 5-6 days if someone was finally infected. Now, American experts, analyzing the first data, estimate that we should test on the second, third and fourth days after the suspected contact with the case. The best thing, of course, is to do tests every day, up to the sixth day of suspicious contact.
I have symptoms, but the rapid test is negative.
If you have symptoms of Covid-19, and especially if you live in an area with a high epidemiological burden, you should consider yourself positive for the coronavirus, at least until you have two negative tests within the next few days. The first symptoms in a person fully vaccinated may mean that his body is fighting the coronavirus, and it is possible that the viral load is not high enough for the rapid or self test to come out positive. If you continue to have symptoms and the self test comes out negative, it is advisable to do a PCR, which detects the coronavirus earlier. If this comes out negative, then most likely you do not have Covid-19. To make the picture even clearer, it would be advisable, together with the CORONAVIRUS PCR, to ask for two more analyses, one for the flu and one for the respiratory cyclical virus (RSV). In any case, if someone has symptoms, they have to stay at home, even if they have a negative test, because quite simply we are in a pandemic period. Something, of course, that the protocols for vaccinated people do not provide for, however, individual responsibility and self-protection in some cases is more important.
If the self test comes out positive, should I also have a PCR?
If the self test comes out positive, then you are probably positive. False positive tests are very rare. However, anyway, confirmation from a laboratory with PCR will be needed in order for the diagnosis to pass to the archives of the Ministry of Health. So pcr should be done anyway. The results of PCR are different from the self test.
Which is the right one? Both results can be correct, even if they are opposite, write the "New York Times", as you may be in the first days of incubation, and because the PCR is more detailed, it finds the infection earlier. If, on the other hand, you are positive to the rapid or self test and negative to the PCR, then most likely the result of the PCR is true. If, finally, you have symptoms and the test results do not agree, then the best solution is to do a PCR a day later.
