During and even after recovering from the pandemic, the COVID RT-PCR test has gained a lot of importance. Before getting into the significance of taking a COVID RT-PCR Test, let us take a deeper look at this infection.
The virus is named “corona” due to its multiple spikes that are crown-like on the surface of the virus.Most people who are infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.
Some of the common symptoms of the virus are:
- Muscle pain
- Loss of taste/smell
- Sore throat
- Chills
- Loss of appetite, confusion
- Nasal congestion
The most severe indications of the virus are:
- difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
- chest pain or pressure.
- loss of speech or movement.
The COVID-19 virus is crucial to be detected at the early stages early in the human body, and doing real time COVID RT–PCR test that come in the form of an oral or nasal swab solves this very purpose successfully.
On average it takes about 7 days from when someone is infected with the virus or interacted with a person infected with the coronavirus for symptoms to start showing up, it could also take up to 14 days.
It is highly advisable and recommended for pregnant women to take the COVID RT-PCR test in order to maintain utmost safety and diagnose the contraction of the virus at its earliest stage.
The World Health Organization has come up with certain basic easy to follow guidelines to prevent transmission of the virus:
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, or clean them with alcohol-based hand rub.
- Maintain at least 1 metre distance between you and people coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid touching your face.
- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
- Stay home if you feel unwell.
- Refrain from smoking and other activities that weaken the lungs.
- Practice physical distancing by avoiding unnecessary travel and staying away from large groups of people
Unlike the COVID antibody test, the COVID RT-PCR test is used for the purpose of diagnosis for this infection. Whereas, the antibody test is only used to check the immune system’s status to fight the infection.
If the result for your COVID RT-PCR test comes out positive, you must isolate yourself till you are tested negative for the same. You may have to choose between self-isolation at home or isolation in a COVID care facility or hospital if you experience severe symptoms until you are tested negative..
If the result comes out negative for the COVID RT-PCR test, you may resume to work but remember to continue practicing the safety precautions in order not to make contact with the virus again.
