How is coronavirus SARS-COV-2 infection diagnosed?
The diagnosis of any disease depends on the history as well as the set of symptoms and signs presented by the patient, taking into account the epidemiological situation and other data interpreted by the medical team.
When dealing with infectious diseases it is very important to have tests that quickly identify which microorganism is responsible for the infection. This allows decisions to be made on the most appropriate treatment and management.
The following tests can be used to diagnose COVID-19, particularly in high-risk patients:
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR): This is considered the reference test for molecular diagnosis. However, the test has limitations, with the quality of the sample obtained from a nasal or pharyngeal swab being critical.
The test is used to confirm an active infection, generally a few days after exposure, when symptoms typically begin. PCR test results may be negative in the early stages of infection, which can provide a false sense of security. In addition, it may yield a positive result, despite the absence of viable (infectious) virus, particularly toward the end of the illness.
Antibody tests. These tests are not used to diagnose an active COVID-19 infection. They can determine if a person had a previous infection, even if it was asymptomatic.
Substantiated information by:
Published: 12 March 2020
Updated: 17 December 2024
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