All of a sudden it went quickly: Within a few weeks, the novel Coronavirus from China has spread in many countries of the world. Currently, there are no prospects for a quick end to the pandemic.
For many people, this condition is a major challenge, because a regulated daily life or social contacts, there is hardly any. Instead, you spend – if possible – most of the time at home to slow the spread of the Virus.
But what happens if there is a suspected infection with the Coronavirus is?
In this case, a doctor decides whether a Test is appropriate, in order to confirm an infection or to exclude. What is the procedure?
Who is tested?
A Scratching in the throat, or slight fever – can, but need not necessarily be characteristics of an infection with the Coronavirus.
The symptoms of Covid-19 are very non-specific and varied, so you can occur in each patient differently.
While some of the Diseased suffer from severe symptoms, the infection in other people asymptomatic, and the disease can go unnoticed.
According to the Robert Koch-Institute (RKI) include fever and cough the most common symptoms less common symptoms such as shortness of breath, muscle and limb pain, neck pain or headaches occur.
In case of doubt you should always contact a doctor and the medical on-call service (at the telephone number 116117), which decides on the implementation of a Corona-Tests.
How is the Test?
Not in every case, the physicians by arranging a infection test. According to the Federal Ministry of health, various criteria must be met in order for a suspicion Test will be examined.
This flu count-like symptoms and staying in a risk area within the last 14 days. Also in contact with an infected people, a Test can be initiated.
In the case of a suspicion of a physician takes a sample from the upper and lower respiratory tract of the patient to the nose, mouth, and throat room. The swab is sent to a special diagnostic laboratory to be examined.
Some German cities also offer special Corona-testing centers, where you test Affected out of your car – similar to a Drive-In ordering in Fast Food Restaurants. A Referral to such a centre is also carried out by a doctor, without a Referral, you will not be tested.
The cost for the doctor arranged Tests by the health insurance.
When is a Test positive?
For the detection of the Coronavirus in a sample, the method of the PCR method are the laboratories of different evidence available. A special polymers allows for the reproduction of the Ergbuts (DNA) in the submitted sample is included. By the reproduction traces of the Virus are easy to detect.
The Robert Koch Institute, the diagnosis, at least two detection laboratories to apply the method for a sample in order to avoid false positive or negative results as much as possible.
A sample can not be more clearly the procedure to be positive or negative, may need to be re-sampled to confirm infection or rule out.
In addition, A negative result does not automatically mean that the Patient is healthy. The RKI recommends that, in the case of a strong suspicion of a renewed investigation, since various factors such as the quality of the Trial or the Transport could distort the result.
When will I receive the result?
Zuverässigkeit stands for the diagnostic laboratories in the first place – even if the actual test period lasts only four to five hours, is the result of the sample on the same day.
Depending on the capacity of the laboratories and the number of submissions it can take up to two days, until the doctor receives the results of the trial and to the patients there.
Within this time, should be issued on the basis of the Patient’s in-home quarantine to prevent possible spread of the Virus.
Self-tests are meaningful?
The Coronavirus is causing uncertainty for many people, they are afraid of an infection and wish for certainty, whether you are suffering from Covid-19 or not.
On the Internet you can order for some time self-tests that promise quick results.
However, the consumer advice centre NRW advises against the use of these Tests and the associated self-diagnosis. The only reliable evidence of the Virus, the PCR Test must be performed by trained laboratory personnel.
Affected carry out self-Tests, the susceptibility to errors particularly high because of the sample quality and the time of extraction have a great influence on the result.
Also air there is no evidence for an infection is to persist and should not be used as a rapid test used – in this Form of the self-test was a hit at the beginning of the pandemic through the Internet.
The consumer is recommended to contact in case of a suspicion by telephone to the doctor, Corona, Hotlines, or emergency services, because only experts can decide about the further procedure and a reliable Test order.
Sources
- Federal Ministry of health (2020): “information on the Coronavirus”, retrieved on 08.04.2020 https://www.bundesgesundheitsministerium.de/fileadmin/Dateien/3_Downloads/C/Coronavirus/BMG_BZgA_Coronavirustest_Plakat_barr.pdf
- Robert-Koch-Institute (2020): “guidelines for laboratory diagnosis in cases of suspected severe acute respiratory syndrome due to infection with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus”, retrieved on 08.04.2020 https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/InfAZ/M/MERS_Coronavirus/MERS-CoV_Labordiagnostik.html;jsessionid=FA6A3D95A772437FA0B5565CBF137A77.internet061#doc3241470bodyText4
- Robert-Koch-Institute (2020): “SARS-CoV-2 plug-in a letter to the Coronavirus-disease-2019”, retrieved on 08.04.2020 https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/InfAZ/N/Neuartiges_Coronavirus/Steckbrief.html#doc13776792bodyText2
- Consumer advice centre of North Rhine-Westphalia (2020): “stay away from Corona-self-test”, retrieved on 08.04.2020 https://www.verbraucherzentrale.nrw/pressemeldungen/presse-nrw/finger-weg-von-coronaselbsttests-46302
- Nitsche, A. (2011): “the importance of Real-Time PCR in the BT pathogen diagnosis”, retrieved on 08.04.2020 https://edoc.rki.de/handle/176904/1036
Michelle Steinmetz
*The article “detection of the Virus: a Corona-Test runs from” is published by FitForFun. Contact with the executives here.