The PCR is the most accurate test and thats the one that weve focused on.
Thats how were testing people nationwide because that gives us the best answer.
But beyond that, it really doesnt tell us much.
As of September 10, there are247 COVD-19 tests authorized by FDAunder emergency use authorizations.
These include 197 molecular tests (including PCR tests), 46 antibody tests, and 4 antigen tests.
The specimens collected for the test come from the nose and mouth.
infectious disease epidemiologist and public health professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas
If you test positive, it means the virus is currently active in your body.
Its really uncomfortable for the person thats having the test done, he says.
Now, there are much more tolerable options.
There is also a saliva test where all you do is spit in a tube.
Though this is the most accurate way to test for COVID-19, its not 100 percent accurate.
Thats especially true if you test too early.
So if Im exposed and I get tested the next day, its too early to detect anything.
Even if the virus is there, the test wouldnt pick it up.
Antibody tests
Antibody tests have a very different function that PCR tests, says Dr. Labus.
infectious disease epidemiologist and public health professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Its Amazing How Its All Connected.
The antibody test looks for your immune systems response to the virus previously being there, he says.
Antibody tests are done on blood because thats where antibodies circulate in your body.
Antibody tests causeda ton of controversy back in April, because theyre not all very accurate.
Some brands were better than others.
And unfortunately, not much has changed on that front.
It really depends on which one you use.
The same is true with antibody tests we use for anything.
Take influenza antibody tests, for example.
Consider the rapid flu tests you’re free to get in a doctors office.
you could take a specimen and 15 minutes later, the doctor will have an answer.
And to ensure results from an antigen test are accurate, you have to run more than one.
But you cant collect specimens for those tests in one sitting.
All of those specimens are taken under the same condition.
With that antigen test, basically youre trading off accuracy and speed.
Back in April, we had really limited capacity and we have since expanded our capacity quite a bit.
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