PCR Test Malta

THE PCR COVID TEST COVIDTESTMALTA.COM

PCR TEST THE PCR COVID TEST: The PCR Test is the worldwide reference test to diagnose and/or detect the Coronavirus’s presence in our body.  Justi ed in cases of suspected symptoms of the disease. COVIDTESTMALTA.COM Page 1

PCR TEST WHAT IS A PCR TEST? PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test detects the RNA of the virus in a nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal sample, that is, from the throat or the back of the nose.  COVIDTESTMALTA.COM Page 2

PCR TEST It is the test that has been carried out the most so far in our country. This test has reliability greater than 90%. If it tests positive, it almost certainly con rms that you have the infection at the test time. It takes several hours to process. This test is done in our clinic, in an exclusive and physically isolated space.  Due to the test characteristics, the physician should be prescribed after the clinical and epidemiological examination. COVIDTESTMALTA.COM Page 3

PCR TEST Due to the subsequent medical follow-up of the contagion and the administrative implications, if it is positive (we have to inform Public Health), prescriptions from external doctors are not admitted to our medical team. – A Negative PCR result does not always mean the absence of the virus since it depends on the viral load of the sample obtained. COVIDTESTMALTA.COM Page 4

PCR TEST Therefore, if the PCR is negative, and there is a high suspicion of infection by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, a new viral RNA collection should be recommended. – If the PCR result is Positive, it is certain that there is a Covid infection. The incubation period of the Coronavirus is around 5-6 days, with the viral load rising from the beginning of the infection (Presymptomatic Phase) to the 7th day (Initial phase: approximately 1 to 7 days), Starting from the week of the rst infection, IgM antibodies begin to appear, which is precisely when the amount of virus in the nasopharynx decreases and the PCR is used to make negative. COVIDTESTMALTA.COM Page 5

PCR TEST WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF THE PCR COVID TEST? The tests’ reliability is de ned according to two criteria: their speci city, that is, their ability to correctly detect SARS-CoV-2 and nothing else.  And their sensitivity when it comes to detecting the virus even if there is only a very high quantity. The speci city rate of PCR technology is 99%, so “false positives” are very rare.  COVIDTESTMALTA.COM Page 6

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PCR TEST They also detect minimal concentrations, which makes it possible not to miss infected people. WHY THE ANTIGEN TESTS? Given the laboratories’ saturation, the public authorities seek to expand the range of tests to more quickly detect potentially infected people, either at an airport or in a medical consultation. COVIDTESTMALTA.COM Page 8

PCR TEST Thus, rapid antigen tests make it possible to detect an infection in between 15 and 30 minutes. Like PCRs, these are carried out using a test in the back of the nose instead of detecting the SARS-CoV-2 genome.  They look for viral proteins, a simpler and faster system that does not require a laboratory intervention. For now, the problem they pose is that they require quali ed personnel, and they are also considered less reliable than PCRs. COVIDTESTMALTA.COM Page 9

CONTACT US Rapid Test Centre Malta - Papid and PCR test centre About Us: Covid Test Malta. Get tested for COVID with our RAPID antigen tests or the PCR test. We are located in St Julians. Covid Test Malta covidtestmalta.com FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA