Table of contents:
- Swab test related matters, rapid test, and the accuracy of the results
- What is the RT-PCR swab test?
- 1,024,298
- 831,330
- 28,855
- What is a rapid test and why are the results still reactive in recovered COVID-19 patients?
- Why can OTG now be declared cured even without a repeat PCR test?
Read all articles about coronavirus (COVID-19) here.
Checking for COVID-19 can be done with various screening tests, but each test has a different accuracy. There are still many questions regarding the validity of COVID-19 testing, from PCR swabs and rapid test and positive or reactive results.
These questions arise because of several conditions that occur and cause confusion. For example, the results of the rapid test are still reactive even though they have been declared cured of COVID-19 because of the negative PCR swab results. The following are answers to questions regarding various types of COVID-19 tests and the accuracy of the results.
Swab test related matters, rapid test, and the accuracy of the results
In Century new normal This COVID-19 examination is needed by the community not only for suspects, but also for those who want to travel. Many companies that have re-implemented the work in office policy also conduct routine inspection tests for their employees.
Sometimes these kinds of tests are still confusing. An example happened to Maya, one of the private employees in Jakarta who was infected with COVID-19. He has undergone self-isolation for 2 weeks without any significant symptoms and then tested negative through a PCR swab examination. In his office all employees are required to dorapid test routinely and Maya's rapid test results are always reactive. This result confused him.
Let us first identify the differences between these two types of tests.
What is the RT-PCR swab test?
Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a test carried out by taking samples from swab or rubbing the mucous membrane of the nose or throat (mucosa). This swab sample will be taken to the laboratory using the RT-PCR method to check for the genetic presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the sample.
That's why this test is better known as a PCR swab.
The PCR swab test is the molecular test with the highest level of confidence or gold standard to diagnose whether someone is positive for COVID-19 or not.
COVID-19 Outbreak updates Country: IndonesiaData
1,024,298
Confirmed831,330
Recovered28,855
DeathDistribution MapWhat is a rapid test and why are the results still reactive in recovered COVID-19 patients?
Rapid test is used only for screening or screening, not to diagnose or confirm COVID-19 because of the possible outcome false positive and false negative tall one.
Rapid test This is done by taking a blood sample to check for the presence of antibodies in response to the COVID-19 infection.
Antibodies are formed as a result of the response of the immune system or the immune system when infected with a virus. If you are infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19, the body will form specific antibodies to fight the viral infection.
However, the body takes several days to form antibodies after the virus infects the body. This condition can make people who are actually infected with COVID-19, but the results rapid test still non-reactive because the body may not have formed antibodies.
After a person has recovered and the virus is completely gone, these antibodies will last for some time to prevent a second infection. In COVID-19, recent studies have shown that antibodies can last for about 6 months after recovering.
The presence of these antibodies is what makes rapid test COVID-19 patients who have recovered show reactive results.
Why can OTG now be declared cured even without a repeat PCR test?
Initially, a person infected with COVID-19 had to do another PCR swab with negative results twice in a row to be declared cured. But recently the criteria for recovery have changed.
Decree of the Minister of Health Number 413 of 2020, the fifth revision, stipulates the criteria for patients to recover from COVID-19 without having to do two repeat swabs with negative results.
"Confirmed patients without symptoms, mild symptoms, moderate symptoms, and severe / critical symptoms, are declared cured if they have met the criteria for completion of isolation and a statement letter has been issued after monitoring, based on the doctor's assessment at the health facility (health service facility) where monitoring is carried out or by the DPJP, "Write the rule.
Patients can be declared cured after they do not feel any symptoms and have undergone a period of isolation.
So COVID-19 patients who are hospitalized can be discharged if they have no symptoms and undergo an isolation period of 10 days. It is important that the patient has no symptoms for at least three consecutive days.
For asymptomatic patients (OTG), no examination is necessary follow up RT-PCR with the requirement to add 10 days of independent isolation from the time the diagnosis specimen was collected (swab). Swab evaluation and follow-up isolation are still recommended in patients with severe, critical, and low immunity and those who are being treated under monitoring conditions, particularly in the ICU.
According to Jaka Pradipta, a pulmonary specialist who treats COVID-19 patients at the Wisma Atlet Emergency Hospital Kemayoran, explained that OTG patients who have undergone an isolation period have no potential to infect even though the PCR swab results are still positive.
“It turns out that double-checking the swab as an evaluation is rather difficult to do. Because for 3 months the virus may still be in our respiratory tract. The tool can still detect viruses that are dead and not contagious, "said Jaka Pradipta on Sunday (4/10)
“Research shows that human-to-human transmission is highest in the first 5 days when patients have symptoms. So after the 7th day, the detected viruses are no longer active. This has been proven in existing studies, "he explained.
