A testing time for those with Covid symptoms

In some cases RAT and RT-PCR show conflicting results.

By Kumaran P. | NT

Bengaluru: Looks like at least 3 out of 5 members in the family in Bengaluru are either coughing, having throat pain and fever. While city doctors in the city say that the virus is bound to spread extensively, testing every house and isolation is the solution.

But, the testing kits are leaving citizens confused, especially after the mushrooming of home testing kits. Many citizens are testing positive during Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT), while the subsequent RT-PCR tests are showing negative results.

Harshada, a resident of Koramangala said, “I am coughing and everyone is coughing at home. We are feeling too tired and have all the symptoms of Covid-19. We got a RAT test done and our results were positive. So, as usual, we gave a sample for RTPCR test and surprisingly we got a ‘negative’ result. This is ridiculous to get a negative result.”

These conflicting results are preventing people from self- and taking the right medications.

“Some test negative during RT-PCR tests and have the symptoms. And they really think they are negative and roam all places. There are so many false reports and this is increasing the spread of the virus,” added a volunteer.

Why do these reports get people confused? Dr S.N. Aravinda, Consultant - Internal Medicine, Aster RV Hospital said, “If there is a difference in test results it could be due to sampling error in the RAT test which is taken at home. If RAT is positive then RT PCR should also be positive. Most people with symptoms have been testing positive and even those who are testing negative are showing symptoms of Covid. This is Covid in its mild form.”

“Rapid Antigen Test has a high incidence of false positive and false negative results. Sensitivity of a test tells us how sensitive the test is in identifying the disease and specificity tells its accuracy. RTPCR is a better test which has got more sensitivity and more specificity.,” said Dr Jagadish Hiremath, Chairman at Aasra Hospital.