Covid diagnosis

Since its emergence at the end of 2019, COVID-19 has infected more than one million people in a number of countries. Medical personnel also need to make extra efforts so as not to make the wrong diagnosis, because COVID-19 has symptoms similar to respiratory disorders in general.

The World Health Organization (WHO) urges everyone in society not to ignore the symptoms of respiratory disorders in any form. Symptoms are the main clues in the diagnosis of COVID-19, which has now been declared a pandemic.

Recognizing symptoms before a COVID-19 diagnosis

The virus that causes COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, is included in a large group coronavirus which attacks the respiratory tract of humans and animals. In humans, this virus can cause mild to severe respiratory distress.

Minor respiratory distress due coronavirus usually in the form of the common cold or flu. Diagnosis of both diseases is usually easier, unlike COVID-19 which was recently discovered.

So far, scientists have identified six types coronavirus that infects humans. Two of them are the causative viruses Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).

SARS-CoV-2 is the newest and seventh new type of virus discovered. The symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection are similar to those of SARS and MERS, but the impact of this virus really depends on the patient's body condition.

Before making a diagnosis of COVID-19, patients and health workers need to recognize the symptoms first. In general, infection coronavirus cause symptoms in the form of:

• high fever
• cough
• runny nose
• sore throat
• headache
• unwell

COVID-19 Outbreak updates Country: IndonesiaData

1,024,298

Confirmed

831,330

Recovered

28,855

DeathDistribution Map

Apart from these symptoms, COVID-19 also causes typical symptoms in the form of shortness of breath. When the patient is examined with a chest X-ray, there are spots on the lungs that are similar to pneumonia.

Patients who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 also show varying degrees of severity. Some patients seem to have a mild illness like those with colds, but there are also those who suffer from severe to critical symptoms.

These common symptoms make it difficult for medical personnel to identify the infected person. As a solution, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) publishes criteria for patients who need to be investigated as well as a diagnostic procedure.

Should you take a diagnostic test?

Diagnostic tests were originally intended for people who have respiratory symptoms or have traveled to areas affected by the outbreak. Given the high risk of transmission at the test site and limited equipment, diagnostic testing is now prioritized for the following groups:

1. Group A

This group consists of People Under Monitoring (ODP) who have just returned from the red zone, Patients Under Supervision (PDP) and their families, and health workers who were exposed to patients during treatment.

2. Group B

This group contains people who have to interact with many people because of the demands of work. They are prone to contracting so it is advisable to undergo rapid test for early diagnosis.

3. Group C

This group consists of people who do not belong to group A or B, but show symptoms similar to COVID-19.

Methods of diagnosis for COVID-19

The diagnosis flow for COVID-19 consists of two stages. The first stage, namely rapid test as an initial detection method, while the next stage is a test polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using a sample of the patient's body fluids.

Here are the steps:

1. Rapid test

This is an initial screening method to determine the presence of antibodies in the body that are used to fight the virus that causes COVID-19. The officer will take a blood sample from the patient's finger, then drop it into the instrument.

Blood sample on the device rapid test then dripped again with fluids to detect antibodies. After 10-15 minutes, a line will appear on the tool. If the result is positive, it means that the patient has been exposed to the virus and is currently infected.

Even though it was fast, rapid test prone to give negative results. This is because new antibodies are formed after 6-7 days of exposure to the virus. Therefore, negative patients need to undergo rapid test second on 7-10 after the first test.

2. Real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)

RT-PCR is a more accurate test for the diagnosis of COVID-19 than rapid test. This test is done by studying the genetic makeup of the virus in a laboratory to determine the presence of the virus in the body.

First, health workers will take saliva and fluid samples from the throat and lower respiratory tract. The sample was then stored in cold temperature before being examined.

Once the samples arrive at the laboratory, the researchers will secrete the nucleic acid that stores the viral genome. They then amplify the part of the genome to be studied with techniques reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

This technique makes the virus sample bigger so that it can be compared with the SARS-CoV-2 genetic makeup. There are 100 nucleic acids and two studied genes of this virus. If the patient's viral sample has these two genes, the test result will be positive.

If the diagnosis shows COVID-19 infection

Don't panic if you test positive. Positive patients have three possibilities, namely:

• Stay healthy without any symptoms
• Mild illness characterized by low-grade fever or cough and still able to move
• Severe pain characterized by high fever, shortness of breath, inability to move, and suffering from other diseases

Most of the COVID-19 patients experience mild pain or no symptoms at all. Patients with this condition are advised to undergo home isolation for 14 days. Don't leave the house except to go to the hospital.

Try sleeping in a separate room during isolation. Use a separate bathroom whenever possible. Avoid contact with other family members and do not share personal utensils and utensils.

Maintain a safe distance if you have to be in the same room with other family members. Use a mask and cover your mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. If there are no tissues, use your sleeves to cover your mouth and nose.

Wash your hands regularly with soap and water. Also clean the surface of the items you use frequently. If the symptoms worsen, immediately consult a referral hospital for treatment.

The diagnosis process may not only indicate COVID-19 infection, but also other diseases. In this condition, the authorized health personnel will also provide additional treatment to cure the disease.