PCR Tests

PCR tests or Polymerase Chain Reaction Tests are used to directly detect the presence of viral RNA rather than the presence of the body’s immune response, or antibodies.

By detecting viral RNA, which will be present in the body before antibodies form or symptoms of the disease are present, the tests can tell whether or not someone has the virus very early on. These tests require diagnostic labs and can give results in 1 hour to several hours depending on the capacity of the lab and equipment used.

This test uses a sample of mucus typically taken from a person's nose or throat. The test uses a technology called PCR (polymerase chain reaction), which greatly amplifies the viral genetic material if it is present.