PCR is the name of the method. The PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test is a test that comes up frequently these days due to the coronavirus outbreak. PCR is an advanced diagnostic method that enables the capture of any virus or bacteria in the body, even if the number is very small. PCR, which we have been using for many years, is also used as a diagnostic method in cases where the amount of virus is very important, such as Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. In coronavirus, it must also be detected in cases where the amount is very small so that treatment can be started.
In summary, the PCR method is an antigen test that works with body swab methods, that is, with upper respiratory tract secretions (such as nasal swab, throat swab) or with sputum if there is a symptom in the lung or with secretion taken directly from the respiratory tract if the person is intubated and reveals the presence of the virus.
Athletes must undergo PCR screening before participating in collective training, competitions and matches. PCR screening and results are required by the Ministry of Sports and Youth before all competitions and training sessions. The aim is to prevent the transmission of Covid-19 to teammates, coaches, fans and to ensure that sports are carried out in a healthy environment. You can contact our call center for more detailed information and appointment.
Patients who are infected with Covid but do not yet have Covid symptoms are at risk of severe pneumonia and intensive care unit stay after being operated for different complaints. The number of such cases is also increasing. It is mandatory to have a preoperative PCR test for domestic patients and foreign patients coming with health tourism. You can contact our call center for more detailed information and appointment.
During the pandemic process, each country takes its own health measures at entry and exit within the scope of Covid-19 measures. In this context, although the standards set by the countries differ, it is mandatory to have a PCR test. In our hospital, PCR tests are performed in accordance with the criteria of all countries. It is important for people who will have the test to consider the time criteria of the countries they will go to and to share these criteria with our call center when making an appointment. Although the criteria of different countries vary, the common practice is to take the sample 48 hours before departure and to receive the result from our institution 24 hours before departure with wet signature and stamp. For more detailed information and appointments, please contact our call center.
During the pandemic, many companies provided services with online work plans. However, with the start of the normalization process, PCR test scans can be performed so that the personnel returning to work can work in good health within the organization. This practice is important for the health of the personnel and the production sustainability of the company. Because filiation practices continue within the scope of pandemic measures. In our hospital, special PCR tests can be performed for collective workplaces. You can contact our call center for more detailed information and appointment.
Can the PCR test be applied to the elderly and children?
There is no age restriction for the PCR test, it can be performed on both elderly people and children.
What does a positive PCR test mean?
A positive PCR test means that the person has the virus at that moment. PCR does not show before or after.
Which tests other than PCR can be used to detect Covid 19?
Apart from PCR, there is also an antibody test. Antibody; When any microorganism enters the body, the body's defense cells limit that microorganism before it enters the body and prevent it from making it sick. Antibody is a defense response produced by some body cells. Antibody is found in the blood. Therefore, all antibody tests must be done with blood. It is done to detect the response produced against the microorganism. The body has 2 types of response, a pre response and a late response.
Types of Antibody Tests:
- Early Response: (Immunoglobulin M)
- Late Answer: (Immunoglobulin G)
Card-type antibody test:
Immunoglobulin M and Immunoglobulin G are also present in early response. This test detects both. There are currently 2 types of tests in Turkey. One is the rapid test we call card test. This test shows the result within 2 hours. This test; some blood taken from the fingertip or vein of the person is placed in an area in the test kit, no line may not form as a result of the chemicals in that card test panel, which means that the result of the test is negative. If there is a line in the Immunoglobulin M section, it means that the person has Immunoglobulin M type antibody. This means that the person has an early response. If a line forms in the Immunoglobulin G band; it means that the person has Immunoglobulin G type antibody. This means that the person has a late response.
If we detect Immunoglobulin M in the person; what does it mean?
It means that the person is sick at that moment. In other words, he/she has developed an early response. At the same time, we also look at the PCR of the person whose condition we have detected at that moment. If both PCR is positive and Immunoglobulin M is positive, it means that the person is currently ill.
If PCR is negative but Immunoglobulin M is positive, the person has recently had coronavirus. This means that the germ is not in the body at the moment.
If Immunoglobulin G alone is positive, the person has had coronavirus in the past. This means that the person is immune.
If PCR is negative and Immunoglobulin G is positive, the person does not have the germ but is immune because he or she has had it in the past.
If both Immunoglobulin M and Immunoglobulin G are positive, then the person has had coronavirus within 14 days or 3 weeks.
B) Machine tests that test for antibodies:
These tests are different from card-type tests. These machines are large and are usually found in research hospitals. They are used to test antibodies just like card tests. The difference between a card test and a machine test for antibodies is this: The card test only gives information about the presence or absence of Immunoglobulin M. Whereas the machine test gives us a ratio by interpreting the presence of Immunoglobulin M according to the threshold value. In this way, we have data. This numerical data is important for specialists because it is important for treatment follow-up. Throughout the treatment of people who are really sick, we can follow the process with the data we obtain with this test.
Can anyone have PCR and antibody tests?
PCR is not used as a screening test in people with no complaints. Antibody tests are the same way. However, in the new normalization period, they have stated that they want to see the results of antibody tests and PCR tests when they accept people to their countries. We know that Germany especially wants this. Within the framework of this demand, the Ministry of Health has approved these tests for people going abroad. In line with this demand, we are conducting these tests in our hospital for people going abroad. With PCR, we show whether the person is carrying the germ at that moment. If the person mentions some complaints in the past, then we also do an antibody test. We can tell whether the person has had this disease in the past, that is, whether they are immune or not.
The second situation is the return to work of people who have been working at home for a long time. Some companies first have PCR done during the return to work process, and if it is positive, they decide to continue working at home or return to work. Then the ministry allows this and we tell them the result of the PCR test. However, we should not forget that PCR tests are free of charge all over our country, regardless of the purpose. Our hospital is one of the reference laboratories in this regard.
In which laboratories can PCR and antibody tests be performed?
PCR tests and antibody tests can only be performed in laboratories approved by the Ministry of Health, recognized as reference laboratories and announced on its website. PCR work cannot be done anywhere else. As our hospital, we have been working on these tests as a reference laboratory since the beginning of the pandemic and we share the information with the Ministry of Health due to the actual asyön. Our people should only have these tests done in reference laboratories.
Antibody testing can also be done in approved private laboratories. We can also perform antibody tests in our hospital.