Covid-19, tests needed for travel: the differences between rapid and PCR
Although Covid-19 has been talked about for a year now, there is still great uncertainty when faced with the issue [...]
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Despite talk of Covid-19 for a year now, there is still great uncertainty when faced with the subject of testing. Several acronyms to remember and very often one has no idea which one is the most reliable. Finally, on the travel front, one wonders what in fact is required to take a plane without running into problems at airport checkpoints.
What are rapid tests
Rapid tests are increasingly used and there are different types of them. It is therefore necessary to try to provide some clarity. It is increasingly important to be able to trace coronavirus infected people quickly in order to reassemble the chain of infection and interrupt the transmission of the virus.
For this reason, rapid Covid tests have been developed to be used alongside the classical nasopharyngeal swab. Here are the types currently used and their differences:
- Rapid swab and saliva test: useful for highlighting whether a Covid infection is ongoing by recognizing different components of the virus within the organism.
- Serological prick test: useful for determining whether a person has come in contact with the virus in the past by looking for any antibodies produced by the immune system.
Although the modality is the same as the nasopharyngeal swab, the rapid swab searches for the presence of virus surface proteins, the antigens, not the viral genome. This is why we talk about antigenic testing. The advantage is timing. In the case of the classical swab you need 24-48 hours, on average, to do the processing. The rapid swab offers a response in as little as 15 minutes. This explains why they were introduced within the system of airport security.
As much as they are an important barrier to stem the spread of infection, it is necessary to point out that the sensitivity of the test leaves something to be desired. In case of low viral load, the test may erroneously come out negative.
Covid test at airport for arriving passengers
What is the PCR test
Speaking of swabs, to date, the PCR test represents the best method to be able to ascertain Covid-19 positivity or negativity. It is generally exploited to determine the end of the quarantine period indicated for a subject.
The negative response to a PCR test is. highly reliable. To end the self-isolation period, it is recommended that it be carried out three days after the last symptoms have ceased. That said, quarantine will end only after official notification from the health department.
It is also possible to take advantage of such a test to confirm the result of a rapid antigen test, which is useful for quickly finding out if someone is currently infected with Covid-19.
What you need to travel
Each country is updating their anti Covid-19 rules regarding inbound flights in order to contain the spread of the virus. With a few exceptions, in order to board a plane at Italian airports, you must have had a rapid or molecular test (both are accepted at screening) within 72 hours prior to departure.
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