Question

1. Discuss and provide the rationale for diagnostic tests that would be used to assist with diagnosis a COVID infection

Answer 1

Answer-

​​​​Diagnostic test : RT-PCR.

Suspect cases should be screened for the virus with nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT), such as RT-PCR. If testing for COVID-19 is not yet available nationally, specimens should be referred.

One type of rapid diagnostic test (RDT) detects the presence of viral proteins (antigens) expressed by the COVID-19 virus in a sample from the respiratory tract of a person. If the target antigen is present in sufficient concentrations in the sample, it will bind to specific antibodies fixed to a paper strip enclosed in a plastic casing and generate a visually detectable signal, typically within 30 minutes. The antigen(s) detected are expressed only when the virus is actively replicating; therefore, such tests are best used to identify acute or early infection.