Difference Between RT-PCR Rapid PCR and Rapid Antigen Test

Covid 19 RT-PCR, Rapid PCR, and Rapid Antigen Test

You should go through the travel guidelines of a country before planning to fly abroad. Many countries have defined travel guidelines for international travelers. People are confused in regard to different types of Covid-19 tests.  Most people do not know the difference between RT-PCR, Rapid PCR, and Rapid antigen tests. You should know which Covid PCR test to fly is required before boarding into flight.

Which Covid test to be done to get a fit-to-fly certificate? Is Covid 19 RT-PCR test okay to get an international fit to fly certificate? or Is the Rapid PCR test necessary before boarding to flight? or Covid-19 rapid antigen test is enough to get the fit to fly certificate?

What is The Difference Between Rapid PCR and Rapid Antigen

Rapid Antigen test takes 30-60 minutes only to get the result but the result of this test is always questionable. On other hand, Covid 19 RT-PCR test takes 12-24 hours to get the report. However, the Rapid PCR test also gives quick results in 1-2 hours but this test has some limitations to running the test in a specific time frame.

Many countries are giving preference to the Rapid PCR test over the RT-PCR test for fit-to-fly certificates.

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Covid 19 Rapid Antigen Test (RAT)

A rapid antigen test detects the specific protein of the virus. The ideal time to perform the RAT test is when the body has the highest level of viral proteins. In other words when the viral load or the infection is at its peak. A rapid antigen test is done through the throat or nasal swab of a suspected patient.

The advantage of this test is its lower price and the result comes in 30-60 minutes. There is no expertise of the staff is needed to perform the test.

The disadvantage of this test is false positive or negative results. The rapid antigen test is not so sensitive as the standard RT-PCR test which gives more than 95% accuracy.  If you are being tested with a rapid antigen test and found negative then there is no guarantee that you are not infected. That’s why it is suggested to repeat the test every 3-5 days.

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Covid 19 RTPCR Test (RT-PCR)

RT-PCR (Real-time polymerase chain reaction) is a widely used test for the diagnosis of Covid19. Accuracy is also good for this test. It detects viral RNA which is a very accurate and efficient technique.

This test is also done through the throat or nasal swab of the patient. It is able to detect the viral RNA before symptoms arise even during the incubation period. But the disadvantage of the test is the high cost and longer evaluation time up to 24 hours.

The collection is performed by experienced healthcare professionals and the test is performed in a specialized lab.

The Covi 19 RT-PCR test report is also acceptable by domestic and international airlines. RT-PCR report or certificate is valid for 72 hours from the date of collection.

SARS CoV 2 Rapid PCR Test (Rapid PCR)

Rapid PCR test detects the genetic material of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This can detect the virus in the earliest phase of the infection and very efficient test. This is the reason that the Rapid PCR test is the most demanded test by countries and many airlines for travel to international destinations.

This test is also available at international airports and recommended to get this test done within 6 hours before boarding an international flight. A rapid PCR test has the same sensitivity, accuracy, and reliability as the Covid-19 RTPCR test.

The great advantage is that a person can get results in half an hour or a maximum in 2 hours. Now people visit the airport an hour before, get this test done and fly with fit to fly certificate on the basis of a Rapid PCR report.

The rapid PCR Code or QR code of the authorized lab is also mandatory on the Rapid PCR Covid test to fly report to get the clearance to fly.

CB-NAAT, True NAAT, and Genexpert Test are the different types of Rapid Tests for Coronavirus detection.

Covid 19 Antibody Test

This test tells you about the presence of antibodies against Covid in your body. Covid Antibody test is performed through blood samples in a specialized laboratory. If covid 19 antibodies are present in the blood sample this indicates that the patient had exposure to the coronavirus and now recovering from the disease or was vaccinated with Corona Vaccine.

Antibodies generally formed after 3-4 weeks post-infection or administration of the vaccine. This is indirect evidence of the infection which indicates that the patient had an infection but not a guarantee of being uninfected at that point in time.

You are recommended to get the antibodies test done post-vaccination to know the antibodies levels in your body. It’s advisable to go for a Quantitative antibodies test instead of a Qualitative antibodies test.

Rapid PCR Covid Test to Fly is mandatory before boarding the Aircraft

The rapid PCR test facility has been made available at Indira Gandhi International Airport Delhi by Genestrings Laboratories. Many countries have removed the restriction on transit passengers traffic, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

It has been mandatory for UAE passengers to undergo a Rapid PCR test at the airport within 6 hours of boarding the aircraft. Rapid PCR Covid test to fly report can be done by reaching Airport and getting the Rapid PCR test report with rapid PCR code within 45-60 minutes.

Along with that, it is also necessary to get the Covid RT-PCR test to fly within 72 hours of boarding the Airplane. RT-PCR test can be done from any authorized lab but Covid QR Code or rapid PCR code should be there on the report.