Usage of Covid-19 Test Kits and Preventive Measures

Updated on August 28, 2020

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Awareness of the danger caused by the deadly virus, commonly known as COVID-19, can save thousands and millions of people. Unfortunately, the virus already took thousands of lives. As such, the World Health Organization (WHO), produces guidelines for every country, especially the hot spot or most affected areas to be on lockdown. 

The WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebretesus expresses his message through twitter about lockdown as quoted that “This principle will save lives and mitigate the economic impact of the pandemic”. This likely is the current solution especially that the vaccine is not yet discovered. 

The most important thing right now is to be able to check who is infected. To compose and prevent further positive cases and stop the spread of the virus, and isolate any virus carrier or those infected individuals.

History has already been affected by many other viral outbreaks that claimed millions of deaths. These outbreaks that cause scars into people are small fox, cholera, Spanish Flu, HIV, and currently, the coronavirus. Each has been determined with the help of test kits. This is quite crucial in order for healthcare professionals to determine the right medication. 

Healthcare professionals use various types of test kits such as COVID-19 IgG/IgM Rapid Test, Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). Originally, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), the test kit for SARS way back 2002. 

COVID-19 Test Kits

Coronavirus, as a term by its appearance, which resembles a crown-shaped is the third pathogenic coronavirus the last two decades, and the seventh known overall. As recorded in history, people suffered SARS-Cov in 2003, MERS-CoV in 2012, and SARS-COV-2 which we all know as COVID-19. 

Conducting diagnostics 17 years ago took months for them to develop and get reliable results. But with the current advanced technology of this generation, it took only a week for the test kits. And to provide accuracy, test kits are made to determine SARS-COV-2 or Coronavirus. Currently, there are two globally used Test kits, known as IgG/IgM Rapid Test and RT-PCR. Credible for high accuracy to confirm conditions concerning coronavirus. Another testing option is an antibody test that can detect a previous COVID-19 infection whether or not a person ever showed symptoms. This test detects antibodies that the body has developed to attack the coronavirus.

COVID-19 IgG/IgM Rapid Test Kit

The test procedures require a small amount of blood. Results will be indicated in the testing Kit and will be evaluated by health professionals. From the word rapid itself, it will only take 10-20 min to know the result. But in the early stages of the infection (between 3-7 days after symptoms first appear), the test kits may be below the detection limit. 

This kit is CE marked or with certification mark in EU or European Union and Available to the rest of the world. Given that the kit will be for research use only and conducted at laboratories by healthcare professionals. 

Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)

Combined forces of researchers across the globe work for this diagnostic kit. The virus was checked with the facts and information collected under the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) platform on January 10. 

Accordingly, the Corona Virus is an RNA virus, meaning it relies on infiltrating healthy cells to multiply. Also, its genetic material is more transient and fragile than DNA. Due to that, the samples are carried to laboratories with precaution. 

Afterward, complex procedures are done, converting RNA to DNA to amplify the viral DNA for the virus to be detected. Diagnosis after the test is delivered after 3 hours, though some laboratories on average took 6-8 hours, due to the complex examinations.

Preventive Measures to Avoid Coronavirus Disease

At home, we make sure to lock our doors at night before we fall asleep. This is to secure each and every one of the family.  So here are the ways to make sure that the virus could not set foot at your home.  As WHO announced in order to contain the virus, we must:

1. Stay Home

Fighting does not always mean using brute strength, sometimes, as simple as staying at home and following the guidelines of each local health authority can help, to save yourself and others and to end this pandemic.

2. Keep a Safe Distance

Maintain meter distance of at least 1 meter (3 feet) away from, others.  

3. Wash hands often

Make sure to wash your hand, especially go outside, more so for a situation where direct contact with others occurred. Use soap and water, and always bring alcohol.

4. Cover your cough

If you suffer from Cough, make sure to cover and seek immediate medical attention.

5. Sick? Call ahead

Secure the contact details of your local health authority and call right away in case of an emergency.

Takeaway

This is the time where solidarity is called for each individual to work as a whole. A global fight against the virus that knows no race, gender, or age. The fight that we fought and will mark in history as one of those that we have conquered.

The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.