In an effort to suppress the spread of the Corona virus, the government has started rapid test in several areas in Indonesia. Actually, what is it rapid test? How effective is it?
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 number of people who are positively infected with the Corona virus (COVID-19) in Indonesia is increasing day by day. In order to prevent the spread of the Corona virus more widely, the government has instructed rapid test, especially in several areas in Indonesia that have high COVID-19 cases.
This test is intended so that the government and health workers can find out who people have the potential to spread the Corona virus and take preventive measures so that the number of COVID-19 cases does not increase.
What's that Rapid Test?
Rapid test that is widely circulated today is a method for detecting antibodies, namely IgM and IgG, which are produced by the body to fight the Corona virus. These antibodies will be formed by the body when there is exposure to the Corona virus.
In other words, if these antibodies are detected in a person's body, it means that the person's body has been exposed to or entered by the Corona virus. However, you need to know, the formation of these antibodies takes time, even up to several weeks.
This is what causes the accuracy of rapid test This antibody is very low. Even in an observation, it was concluded that the accuracy rapid test in detecting antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 was only 18%.
That is, if 100 people get negative results from rapid test, only 18 people were actually not infected with this virus. Meanwhile, 92 other people have actually been infected, but have not been detected with this tool.
WHO expressly does not recommend rapid test antibodies as a means to diagnose COVID-19. Even so, WHO still allows the use of this test for research or epidemiological examination.
Besides rapid test for antibodies, recently also made rapid test to detect antigens or proteins that make up the body of the virus that causes COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2.
Method rapid test this is indeed more accurate than rapid test antibody. However, this test is only accurate for patients with high levels of the virus in their bodies. Meanwhile, for people whose status is unknown, the accuracy is quite low, which is only 30%. So, the use of this test for initial diagnosis is strongly discouraged.
In addition to the rapid test, now the GeNose tool has also been used as an alternative initial screening for COVID-19. However, this tool is still not clear the level of accuracy.
The test that can confirm whether a person is positive for Corona virus so far is only an examination polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This examination can detect directly the presence of the Corona virus, not through the presence or absence of antibodies against this virus. Sampling for this method can use the swab technique, or with PCR mouthwash.
Procedure and Interpretation of Results Rapid Test
Inspection procedure rapid test antibody begins by taking a blood sample from the fingertip which is then dripped onto the device rapid test. Next, the liquid to mark the antibodies will be dripped in the same place. The result will be a line that appears 10-15 minutes later.
Results rapid test positive (reactive) indicates that the person being tested has been infected with the Corona virus. Even so, people who have been infected with the Corona virus and have this virus in their bodies can get results negative rapid test (non-reactive), because his body has not yet formed antibodies against the Corona virus.
Therefore, if the result is negative, the examination rapid test need to be repeated 7–10 days later. You are also advised to self-isolate for 14 days even if you do not experience any symptoms and feel healthy.
When the result rapid test You are positive, don't panic just yet. Antibodies detected in rapid test it could be an antibody against another virus or another type of coronavirus, not the one that causes COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2.
While for rapid test antigen, the examination is quite different. The sample used for the examination of this test is the result of swab nose and throat or saliva. This test can detect the presence or absence of viral antigens that cause COVID-19 within 15 minutes.
When the result rapid test negative antigen, you still have to undergo self-isolation, especially if you experience respiratory symptoms. Meanwhile, if the results are positive, there is still a possibility that the antigen does not come from the virus that causes COVID-19.
Therefore, it is good to use rapid test antibodies and antigens, it is necessary to take swab for a PCR test to determine whether there is indeed a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Before carrying out the PCR test or while waiting for the results, you must self-isolate at home for at least 14 days.
During isolation, avoid traveling and contact with other people who live in the same house, while adopting a clean and healthy lifestyle. Apply physical distancing, namely maintaining a distance of at least 1 meter from other people and wearing a mask when interacting with other people.
Besides, whatever the result rapid testhim, continue to monitor your health condition. If symptoms of COVID-19 appear, such as cough, fever, hoarseness, and shortness of breath, immediately contact a health care facility or hotline COVID-19 to get further examination.
To find out how likely you are to have been infected with the Corona virus, try the Corona virus risk check feature provided for free by ALODOKTER. If you still have questions about the Corona virus, you can chat doctors directly through the ALODOKTER application. In this application, you can also make an appointment with a doctor at the hospital.