COVID-19 PCR Tests: All You Need to Know
COVID-19 PCR for travel What is a PCR test ? Polymerase chain reaction, or PCR. This test looks for genetic material from a particular organism, like a virus. If you are infected with a virus at the time of the test, the test will reveal its presence. Even after you are no longer infected, the test may still be able to find remnants of the virus. A COVID-19 PCR test: What is it? The SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, has genetic material (ribonucleic acid or RNA), which can be found in your upper respiratory specimen when you take the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for COVID-19. Small amounts of RNA from specimens are amplified using PCR technology into deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), which is replicated until SARS-CoV-2 is detectable, if present. Since it was permitted to be used in February 2020, the PCR test has served as the gold standard for diagnosing COVID-19. It is trustworthy and true. Who needs to have their COVID-19 tested? If you experience any of the followi...