![]() ![]() Antigen tests are most effective early in the disease when the patient has more of the virus in their body. It may feel less invasive but there likely is less virus to be found in that area. The nasal swab for an antigen test typically stops in the nostril, not the throat. How it’s done: The antigen test can be done on a nasopharyngeal swab just like the PCR, but it is more commonly done in a nasal swab. What the test measures: Antigen tests, the fastest form of COVID-19 tests, look for fragments of the virus without amplifying or replicating it in the lab. We use PCR tests at nearly all UT Southwestern facilities and to verify whether patients are COVID-free prior to surgery.Ĭons: The test can be uncomfortable and takes longer to return results. Pros: Considered the gold standard for COVID-19, PCR tests are the most accurate form available today. Getting results may take longer at other sites, depending on how far the lab is from the testing site. Results are usually available in 24-48 hours at UT Southwestern. How long it takes to get results: The viral replication process takes time because samples must be sent to a special lab. Therefore, the nasopharyngeal swab is considered the gold standard. However, the last two routes are less sensitive for finding the virus. PCR can also be done on a swab just inside the nose and from saliva samples. They will swirl the swab for about 10 seconds, which is not painful but is uncomfortable. A provider slides a long cotton swab into your nostril, stopping at the nasal pharyngeal area. That's where the highest volume of the virus usually resides. How it’s done: While PCR can be done on any bodily fluid, we typically test the fluids in the nasal pharyngeal area, where the sinuses meet your throat. What the test measures: Polymerous chain reaction, or PCR, is a molecular technology that amplifies COVID-19's ribonucleic acid (RNA) – the genetic essence of the virus. There are three main types of tests for COVID-19 – two are diagnostic (PCR and antigen tests), and one looks for protective antibodies from a previous infection (antibody or serologic tests). So, let's review the different types of tests, their pros and cons, and how each can help you reduce community spread. Drive-up facilities, such as UT SouthwesternĪll these options can lead to confusion if you or a family member needs to get tested.They vary in accuracy levels, testing methods, and the time it takes to get results. ![]() More than 100 manufacturers have been authorized by the FDA to create COVID-19 tests, but not all COVID tests are created equally – or serve the same purpose. As kids go back to school, fall sports resume, and the COVID-19 pandemic stretches into September, more Americans are considering the prospect that they will be tested for the novel coronavirus. ![]()
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