[Watch] Don’t Do PCR Test Too Many Times After Positive For Covid -19, Says Health Officer
The health official explains Covid-19 testing mistakes and myths.
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A health official had taken to social media to discourage people from frequently taking RTK and PCR self-tests.
His video, which advised people not to do so, especially when recovering from Covid-19, had since gone viral on TikTok.
The health official, who goes by the username @dodosentoso, explained that the PCR test is only to detect the ribonucleic acid (RNA) of the virus in a person’s body.
He added that the presence of the virus in a person will last for two weeks, and will disappear with the help of vaccines and also medications.
@dodosentoso Jangan noya buat PCR byk byk kali lepas dah positive recently. Ingat ni sampaii mati. Tolong mdno share info ni boleh.?? #covid19 #rtpcr #medicallabscientist #fyp ♬ original sound – Pak Cik Bakar Baharo
After testing positive for Covid-19, there is no need to do PCR within two months. We do PCR only to see if the RNA is detected or not.
TikTok user @dodosentoso, who is also a health official, explain why there is no need to do PCR test too frequently.
Clearly, even if a person has recovered after two weeks, the cells from the virus are still there.
So, if a PCR test is done, a person will be confirmed positive for Covid-19 again but not as dangerous as before, he said.
Netizens thanked him for his clear and very easy to understand explanation.
They commented that he gave a good explanation with a good analogy, and can even be a lecturer.
That’s right, after 10 days, the virus is no longer active. It can be detected again, just that it won’t be infectious.
A TikTok user commenting on @dodosentoso’s explanantion.
The difference between us and them is that on the 13th day, they will do an RTK Antigen test. In simple terms, it basically checks for any bits of the virus still floating around in your body. It's better than the RTK Antibody test but still less sensitive than a PCR test pic.twitter.com/ufV2GjvmyF
— Emir 🍜 (@Emirrr2410) July 29, 2020
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