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Published on: Jul 09, 2020
2 minute read
By: Dr Rakesh Choudhary

COVID- 19 Tests – What Do You Need To Know?

COVID- 19 tests – What do you need to know?

Author: Dr. Rakesh Choudhary MBBS, MS, FRCS UK, FRCS Orth UK, MChOrth UK.

Dr. Choudhary is a practicing consultant surgeon in the UK.

So many of us think it is not their job to learn about COVID-19 tests and this should be left for the experts and governments to decide about these tests. But I strongly suggest the public must have a basic understanding of these tests which they may have to have themselves.

Basically there are two types of tests, one which can detect the virus in the body and the other one which tells if the person had the previous infection.

Virus test

The virus test detects an active infection. It detects the genetic material (RNA) of the virus during an active infection. It is also called a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test or nucleic acid test and is sometimes inaccurately called an antigen test.

A swab is taken from deep in the back of your throat and deep in the nose. The swab should go deep up to 7-8 cm and is generally uncomfortable for the patient. Swabbing patients using the correct technique is paramount in ensuring an accurate result. By simply swabbing the inside of the nasal passage is not deep enough to verify that the virus is present.

What does virus testing tell you?

This test tells us if a patient is actively infected with the COVID-19 virus. Virus testing is used mainly for the diagnosis of COVID-19.

When should it be done?

The virus test works best during the first seven days of symptoms.

The coronavirus can be detected in swabs even before symptoms of illness first appear . This is why people can be infectious for a few days before the onset of symptoms, which usually appear about 5 days after the virus infects. Some people have no symptoms throughout their infection but are positive on the virus test and infectious to others. After a few days of illness, the concentration of the virus falls (as seen in swab samples) and the symptoms of the illness usually recede.

Accuracy of the test

In a person with COVID-19, the test is less likely to give a positive result late in the course of infection once the virus has been cleared by the immune system, or if an inadequate sample is taken from the nose or throat. There are concerns that the rate of ‘false negative’ test results could be as high as 30% and a significant number of people are wrongly being told they do not have the virus.

Antibody test

Antibody tests check your blood by looking for antibodies, which may tell you if you had a past infection with the virus that causes COVID-19. Antibodies are protein structures that are produced by the immune system in response to certain infections. The antibody can help fight off infections and can provide protection against getting that disease again (immunity). Antibodies are disease-specific. For example, measles antibodies will protect you from getting measles if you are exposed to it.

The antibody test detects the presence of antibodies as a marker of past infection. The antibody test (blood test) will only detect infections after the immune system has produced antibodies that recognize the virus. This happens approximately 7–10 days after symptoms develop.

Tests carried out a week after a patient develops symptoms will detect only 30% of people who had COVID-19 infection. Accuracy increases to 72% at two weeks and to 94% in the third week. Some people may take even longer to develop antibodies, and some people who are infected may not ever develop antibodies.

Interpretation of the antibody test is complex for non-medical people. Basically having antibodies to the virus that causes COVID-19 may provide protection from getting infected with the virus again. If it does, we do not know how much protection the antibodies may provide or how long this protection may last.

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Tuberculosis Symptoms and Treatment: Early Signs, Diagnosis, and Recovery

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the oldest known infectious diseases and continues to be a major public health concern, especially in developing countries. India accounts for a significant proportion of global TB cases, despite advances in diagnosis and treatment. The good news is that tuberculosis is preventable, treatable and curable when detected early and managed properly.

Understanding tuberculosis symptoms and treatment is critical for reducing disease spread, preventing complications and achieving complete recovery.

What Is Tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It primarily affects the lungs (pulmonary TB) but can also involve other parts of the body such as:

lymph nodes
bones and joints
kidneys
brain

TB spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or speaks.

Why Tuberculosis Remains a Major Health Issue

According to the World Health Organization and ICMR data:

millions of new TB cases are reported annually
delayed diagnosis increases transmission
incomplete treatment leads to drug resistance

Early detection and treatment are key to TB control.

Common Tuberculosis Symptoms

TB symptoms often develop gradually and may be mild in the early stages, leading to delayed diagnosis.

Persistent Cough

A cough lasting more than two to three weeks is a hallmark symptom of pulmonary TB.

The cough may:

be dry or productive
worsen over time
sometimes produce blood

Fever and Night Sweats

Low-grade fever, especially in the evenings, is common.

Night sweats that soak clothing or bedding are a classic TB sign.

Unexplained Weight Loss

TB increases metabolic demand and reduces appetite, leading to significant weight loss.

Fatigue and Weakness

Persistent tiredness and reduced stamina occur due to chronic infection.

Chest Pain

Chest discomfort or pain may occur during coughing or breathing.

Symptoms of Extra-Pulmonary TB

When TB affects organs outside the lungs, symptoms depend on the site involved and may include:

swollen lymph nodes
bone or joint pain
headaches or neurological symptoms
urinary issues

Why TB Symptoms Are Often Ignored

Many TB symptoms resemble common infections or general weakness.

This leads to:

delayed medical consultation
prolonged transmission
disease progression

Awareness improves early detection.

How Tuberculosis Is Diagnosed

Diagnosis involves a combination of:

sputum tests
chest X-ray
molecular tests such as CBNAAT
blood tests and imaging for extra-pulmonary TB

Early and accurate diagnosis is essential for effective treatment.

Tuberculosis Treatment Explained

TB treatment involves a combination of antibiotics taken over a fixed duration.

Standard TB Treatment

For drug-sensitive TB, treatment typically lasts:

6 months

The regimen includes multiple antibiotics taken in phases to ensure complete bacterial clearance.

Importance of Treatment Adherence

TB bacteria are slow-growing and resilient.

Stopping treatment early can result in:

incomplete cure
relapse
drug-resistant TB

Completing the full course is essential.

Drug-Resistant TB

If TB bacteria become resistant to standard drugs, treatment becomes longer and more complex.

Drug-resistant TB requires:

specialised medications
longer treatment duration
close medical supervision

Prevention of resistance depends on correct treatment from the start.

Side Effects of TB Treatment

Some individuals may experience side effects such as:

nausea
loss of appetite
mild liver enzyme changes

Most side effects are manageable with medical guidance and do not require stopping treatment.

TB and Public Health

TB is not just an individual health issue but a community concern.

Effective TB control requires:

early diagnosis
treatment adherence
contact tracing
public awareness

India’s national TB elimination programmes focus on these strategies.

Preventing Tuberculosis

Preventive measures include:

early detection and treatment of active TB
improving nutrition and immunity
adequate ventilation in living spaces
screening close contacts

BCG vaccination offers partial protection, especially in children.

Living With and Recovering From TB

With proper treatment:

symptoms gradually improve
infection becomes non-contagious
normal life can be resumed

Regular follow-up ensures complete recovery.

When to Seek Medical Help

Consult a healthcare provider if experiencing:

cough lasting more than two weeks
unexplained weight loss
persistent fever or night sweats
blood in sputum

Early action saves lives and prevents spread.

Long-Term Outlook After TB Treatment

Most individuals who complete treatment:

recover fully
regain normal lung function
return to daily activities

Long-term complications are rare with timely care.

Conclusion

Tuberculosis symptoms and treatment must be understood clearly to combat this preventable and curable disease. Persistent cough, fever, night sweats and weight loss should never be ignored. Early diagnosis, complete treatment adherence and regular follow-up are essential for curing TB and preventing transmission. With proper medical care and public awareness, tuberculosis can be effectively controlled and eliminated as a public health threat.

References

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – Tuberculosis Epidemiology and Treatment Guidelines
World Health Organization (WHO) – Global Tuberculosis Report
National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) – Government of India
Lancet Infectious Diseases – TB Diagnosis and Treatment Outcomes
National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) – Infectious Disease Indicators
Statista – Global Tuberculosis Burden and Trends

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