Lab Services offers two testing methods to detect COVID-19. Our tests are done daily and available at all of our locations. See below for specific testing methods.
Antigen Testing
Antigen tests are immunoassays that detect the presence of a specific viral antigen, which indicates current viral infection. Antigen tests are currently authorized to be performed on nasopharyngeal, nasal swab, or saliva specimens placed directly into the assay’s extraction buffer or reagent. These tests are currently offered at all of our locations.
PCR Testing
PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests are a fast, highly accurate way to diagnose certain infectious diseases and genetic changes. The tests work by finding the DNA or RNA of a pathogen (disease-causing organism) or abnormal cells in a sample.
- DNA is the genetic material that contains instructions and information for all living things.
- RNA is another type of genetic material. It contains information that has been copied from DNA and is involved in making proteins.
Most viruses and other pathogens contain DNA or RNA.
Unlike many other tests, PCR tests can find evidence of disease in the earliest stages of infection. Other tests may miss early signs of disease because there aren’t enough viruses, bacteria, or other pathogens in the sample, or your body hasn’t had enough time to develop an antibody response. Antibodies are proteins made by your immune system to attack foreign substances, such as viruses and bacteria. PCR tests can detect disease when there is only a very small amount of pathogens in your body.
During a PCR test, a small amount of genetic material in a sample is copied multiple times. The copying process is known as amplification. If there are pathogens in the sample, amplification will make them much easier to see.
Other names: polymerase chain reaction, rtPCR, reverse transcription PCR, qPCR, quantitative PCR, real-time PCR.
PCR Testing is done daily at our laboratory and available only at select locations. Find our location nearest you by clicking here.
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