Most tests for COVID-19 involve taking a swab sample from the back of the nose, throat, or both. But some tests require a blood sample.
These tests aim to find out if a person has, or has ever had, an infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This is the virus that causes coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). There are several tests that are used to detect coronavirus in a person. Some of the covid-19 testing procedures are as follows:
Molecular tests look for signs of a current infection. One type Trusted Source of molecular test for the virus that causes COVID-19 is a real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test. This is sometimes called a nucleic acid amplification test. Molecular tests can only help diagnose current infections. They cannot tell whether someone has had COVID-19 in the past and recovered.
RT-PCR test involves a healthcare professional collecting a sample and sending it to a laboratory for testing. The analysis can detect signs of the virus’s genetic material in the sample.
This test can confirm a diagnosis of COVID-19 if it identifies two specific SARS-CoV-2 genes. If it identifies only one, it will produce an inconclusive result.
Antigen test detect proteins produced by the virus. After taking a sample using the swab provided, the person dips the swab in a vial of fluid. They then insert the swab, which now contains some fluid, into a small device. As the fluid spreads through the device, a line should appear in a screen on the device. This is a control line that shows if the test is working correctly.
After some time — maybe 15 minutes, depending on the specific test — another line may appear. If this happens, the result is positive for the virus. If the second line does not appear, the result is likely negative.
Serological test detects the antibodies in the body produced to fight SARS-CoV-2. The antibodies are present in blood and tissues of anyone who has recovered from COVID-19.
Serological tests require a blood sample. While they are useful indicators of a past SARS-CoV-2 infection, these tests may also detect antibodies produced to combat other types of coronavirus. So, if the result is positive, it does not necessarily mean that the person has had COVID-19.
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