WHAT IS PCR TEST AND SAFE?

PCR test, which is called Polymerase Chain Reaction in medical language, is a concept that most individuals meet during the epidemic days.  Therefore, what is the PCR test and are the PCR test results safe;  questions are frequently asked.  Polymerase Chain Reaction or PRC test is a method used in scientific research.  With the PCR test, the presence of the virus in the person’s body is sought.  In addition, in these tests, the body’s response to the virus present in the body is also investigated.  PCR can detect not only viruses but also all pathogenic factors such as bacteria and microbes in the body.

In the PCR test, a small genetic sample taken from the person is taken for DNA analysis.  The medical sample taken is decomposed by heat and the gene part of the virus is searched.  The process is used in genetics research and detection of infection in the body.  The branch of science that deals with PCR test research is Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology.

PCR is basically a diagnostic test.  It is mainly used for diagnostic purposes in coronavirus days.  The test investigates whether there is RNA belonging to the virus in the body.  Antibodies are also detected in PCR as a molecular diagnostic test.

Why and how is the PCR test done?

Why is the PCR test done? It has been among the frequently asked questions recently.  PCR;

• Detecting viruses, bacteria and microbes in the body,
• In paternity tests,
• Understanding genetic problems,
• It is used for diagnosing diseases.

The most important function of the PCR test on coronavirus pandemic days is to detect carriers who carry the disease virus but do not show symptoms.  Thus, ghost carriers are isolated from the society and the spread rate of the disease is reduced.  It is important for public health in the detection of asymptomatic cases.

The PCR test is performed by taking a swab sample.  The swab is taken from the throat and nasal passages under sterile conditions.  In advanced cases, the wastes must be taken from the airlines.  In the sample taken, PCR agents are mixed with virus DNA.  The results are evaluated by performing the identification and multiplication process in the reaction tube.  PCR test results can be up to 24 hours in 1 hour.

Is the PCR test safe?

In PCR tests, the presence of the virus in the body can be detected without showing symptoms.  PRC tests, which are on the agenda during the coronavirus pandemic process, are used in the diagnosis of Covid-19 disease.  If the test results are positive, it indicates the presence of Sars-Cov2 virus in the body.

In the coronavirus days, the role of PCR tests in the diagnosis has brought up the issue of whether the PCR test results are 100 percent accurate.  It cannot be said that the PCR test gives 100% accurate results.  A positive PCR test indicates the presence of the disease, but PCR may not be positive in everyone with coronavirus.  Therefore, a negative result in the test does not mean that the person is not sick.

As it is known, the Covid-19 disease agent is the Sars-Cov2 virus.  PCR test is considered to be the most reliable diagnostic method in Covid-19 scans.  The presence of Sars-Cov2 gene fragments in the sample is a positive result.  Therefore, a positive test indicates that you have been infected with coronavirus.  It is proven by research that PCR tests give safer results than rapid diagnostic kits.