Which COVID-19 Test Is Right For You? Before Your Next Trip, Learn About The Differences Between Them

 

Which COVID-19 Test Is Right For You? Since COVID-19 testing has become a common part of daily life, particularly while travelling, it’s critical to get the right test.

When it comes to getting a COVID-19 test, it’s important to understand that not all COVID-19 tests are created equal, with varying levels of accuracy and turnaround times.

Some countries will only support RT-PCR tests. Which are thought to be the most reliable, while others will accept evidence of negative testing in any form. The CDC states that all viral tests detect a current infection and that they are most effective when “the individual is tested when viral load is usually greatest.”

Many states and countries require passengers to be screened before and after a flight, and some places still require testing to attend sporting events or concerts. Although the CDC does not require vaccinated Americans to be screened before or after domestic travel, the agency does require all foreign passengers to be tested within three days of boarding a flight to the United States.

According to the CDC, we’ve broken down each form of test and explained the advantages of each so travellers know what they need to know before their next trip.

 

RT-PCR

This is the gold standard of COVID-19 tests, providing the most precise results. An RT-PCR test (or reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) detects genetic material using Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAAT). NAATs may be done with a nose swab (which looks like a long Q-tip) or saliva.

According to the CDC, “the NAAT technique works by first amplifying – or making several copies of – the virus’s genetic material present in a person’s specimen.” “NAATs can detect very small quantities of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in a specimen by amplifying or raising the copies of nucleic acids, making these tests highly sensitive for diagnosing COVID-19.”

The sample is usually sent to a lab, and the results are usually available within a few days, although this can vary.

Many Caribbean islands and destinations as far away as the Maldives, as well as some cruises, such as Viking, need PCR tests within a few days of international travel.

 

 

Rapid Antigen

According to the CDC, these are at-home or point-of-care assessments that provide results in around 15 minutes. RT-PCR checks, on the other hand, are more sensitive. These experiments are often carried out with a nose swab, which is then dipped into an extraction buffer or reagent.

Although several countries need PCR tests to join, others, such as Jamaica and Belize, allow for rapid antigen tests instead.

Rapid viral tests are also permissible, even though the CDC needs all foreign travellers to get a test within three days of boarding a flight to the United States.

 

Antibody

Antibody tests differ from viral tests in that they do not detect an infection that is already active. According to the CDC, these tests, also known as serology tests, search for antibodies that may have developed in a patient’s blood as a result of a previous infection.