PCR or polymerase chain reaction is a laboratory examination to detect the presence of genetic material from cells, bacteria, or viruses. Currently, PCR is also used to diagnose COVID-19 disease, namely by detecting the genetic material of the Corona virus.
If you need a COVID-19 test, click on the link below so you can be directed to the nearest health facility:
- Rapid Test Antibodies
- Antigen Swab (Rapid Test Antigen)
- PCR
The genetic material present in every cell, including in bacteria or viruses, can be DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) or RNA (ribonucleic acid). These two types of genetic material are distinguished by the number of chains present in them.
DNA is genetic material with double strands, while RNA is genetic material with single chains. The DNA and RNA of each living species carry unique genetic information.
The presence of DNA and RNA will be detected by PCR through amplification or propagation techniques. now, with the PCR, the presence of genetic material from several types of diseases due to bacterial or viral infections will be detected and ultimately can help diagnose the disease.
Some of the diseases that can be diagnosed through the PCR test are:
- Infection human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- Hepatitis C
- Infection cytomegalovirus
- Infection human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Gonorrhea
- chlamydia
- Lyme disease
- Pertussis (whooping cough)
In addition to diagnosing a number of diseases above, the PCR test is also used to detect the Corona virus that causes COVID-19. COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, more commonly known as the Corona virus. The Corona virus that causes COVID-19 is a type of RNA virus.
Patients who are positive for COVID-19 based on the PCR test with mild or asymptomatic symptoms are generally recommended to undergo self-isolation for 10 days. After that, the PCR test does not need to be repeated, unless the patient is still symptomatic or his condition worsens during self-isolation.
Just like the PCR test, the antigen swab also does not need to be repeated in patients undergoing self-isolation with mild or asymptomatic symptoms.
PCR Test to Diagnose COVID-19
The examination procedure begins with taking a sample of phlegm, mucus, or fluid from the nasopharynx (the part between the nose and throat), oropharynx (the part between the mouth and throat), or the lungs of patients suspected of being infected with the Corona virus.
Sputum sampling was carried out by the method swab, which procedure takes about 15 seconds and is painless, or you can use a PCR mouthwash. Next, the sputum sample will be examined in the laboratory.
now, because the Corona virus that causes COVID-19 is an RNA virus, detection of this virus with a PCR test will begin with the process of converting (change) the RNA found in the sample into DNA.
The process of converting viral RNA into DNA is carried out by enzymes reverse transcriptase, so the technique of examining RNA viruses by first converting them into DNA and detecting them by PCR is called reverse transcriptasepolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
After the RNA is converted into DNA, then the PCR tool will amplify or multiply this genetic material so that it can be detected. This 1 cycle of amplification is called cycle threshold or CT values. PCR testing for COVID usually repeats amplification up to 40 times or CT value 40. If the PCR machine detects Corona virus RNA in the sputum or mucus sample being examined, the result is said to be positive.
PCR Test to Confirm Rapid Test Results
In addition to PCR tests, you may have heard of serological tests rapid testor detect the Corona virus through the GeNose tool for COVID-19. In fact, rapid test is not a test to diagnose COVID-19. A rapid test is just a screening or screening to detect the presence of IgM and IgG antibodies that are produced by the body when exposed to the Corona virus.
It should be noted that the formation of IgM and IgG antibodies takes a long time, up to 2-4 weeks after the virus enters the body. Therefore, a negative result on rapid test cannot be used as a determinant of someone not being infected with the Corona virus.
Positive results on rapid test Nor can it be used as a determinant that someone is infected with the Corona virus. This is because the antibodies detected can be IgM and IgG which are formed by the body due to other viral infections, including viruses from this group. coronavirus other than SARS-CoV-2. These results are said to be false positives (falsepositive).
This is where it is important to perform a PCR test. The PCR test will confirm the results of rapid test. Until now, the PCR test is a diagnostic test that is considered the most accurate to determine whether a person has COVID-19 or not.
If you still have questions regarding the Corona virus and its examination, ask your doctor directly through the ALODOKTER application. In this application, you can chat directly with a doctor or make an appointment with a doctor at the hospital if you need an in-person examination.