Coronavirus: Why Do You Need Nucleic Acid Test for COVID-19

Coronavirus: Why Do You Need Nucleic Acid Test for COVID-19

With the intensification of the new coronavirus epidemic, especially in the United States, Brazil, India, Russia and South Africa, the outbreak continues, and there is no trend to control it. The data of the epidemic in Africa has not been better reported, and at the same time, many The national government insists on lifting the quarantine policy and restarting various economic activities; and people in the free world headed by the United States are still unscrupulously carrying out various protests, gatherings and social activities, which have obviously aggravated the spread of the new coronavirus epidemic.

Then with the restart of economic activities, as local governments and individuals, it is necessary to ensure a safe working environment as much as possible, and at the same time, as early as possible to identify patients with new coronavirus disease and asymptomatic infections (asymptomatic infections have no obvious symptoms themselves , But can transmit the virus to other people), then large-scale virus detection is particularly important.

Why Do You Need Nucleic Acid Test for COVID-19

Since the outbreak of Coronavirus, there has been a lot of myths and speculation from how the disease spreads who it affects most and lastly how it gets tested as it fumbles even the medical practitioners.COVID-19 testing has proved to be complicated, and it does not have a specific testing method as the rest of the diseases and infections the world has been accustomed. The Covid-19 virus is from the Coronaviridae virus family, and antibodies cannot treat it. However, people affected by the illness might develop a bacterial infection complication, thus requiring the prescription of antibodies. With no approved medication for the cure of COVID-19 several types of testing has been approved for screening and detecting.

To manage the spread of the virus countries around the world countries have embarked on mass testing for SARS-CoV-2 (the Coronavirus that causes COVID-19 among their populations accompanied by contact tracing. According to the American Society for Microbiology, there have been two types of tests that have been approved.

  • The molecular tests (Nucleic acid amplification tests)
  • Serology tests (antibody test).

The Best Time to Do NAT

Nasopharynx, the space at the back of the nose, has the highest concentration of the COVID -19 virus. Nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs are ideal for sample collection and eventually, the molecular testing (Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing). However, it is difficult to obtain a substantial amount of the nasopharyngeal samples, which may lead to getting false-negative result in patients with the Coronavirus. The virus concentration in the nasopharynx changes throughout infection; thus, the timing of sample collection is essential. The perfect timing for collection of samples should be at the onset of a perceived infection to achieve the highest test sensitivity.

How Does NAT Work

Conclusion

Regular nucleic acid testing is a very important method in areas where the new coronavirus epidemic is outbreak. You can know in advance whether you have been infected with the new coronavirus, and you can respond earlier. Early detection, early isolation, and early treatment can better control and slow down the spread of coronavirus while maintaining one’s own health.