Lab test · Infection
COVID-19 RT-PCR Test
COVID-19 detection
- Nose or throat swab
- No fasting
- Report within 24 hours
- Home collection
What this test is for
COVID-19 detection
The COVID-19 RT-PCR test detects the genetic material of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in a swab from the nose or throat. It is the reference test for a current infection and can pick up small amounts of virus, including in people with mild or no symptoms. Doctors use it to diagnose COVID-19 and to confirm the result of a rapid test.
Why a doctor may order it
- Fever, cough, sore throat, or loss of taste or smell
- After close contact with someone who has COVID-19
- When travel, work or a procedure requires a PCR result
- To confirm a rapid antigen test result
How to prepare
Fasting: Not needed.
For about 30 minutes before the swab, do not eat, drink, gargle or brush your teeth, so the sample is not diluted. You can take your usual medicines. Tell the collector if you have symptoms so they can take suitable precautions.
At home
- Sample
- Nose or throat swab
- How it works
- Wearing protective equipment, the collector gently passes a soft swab into the back of your nose and/or throat for a few seconds. It can feel uncomfortable and may make your eyes water, but it is quick. The swab is sealed in a tube of liquid for the laboratory.
- Report
- Within 24 hours of collection.
What the results can mean
A positive result means the virus's genetic material was found. A negative result means none was detected at the time of the swab, but a very early infection can be missed. PCR can stay positive for some weeks after recovery because it detects fragments of the virus, which does not always mean you are still infectious. Your doctor will interpret the result in the light of your symptoms and when they began.
What's included
One test: COVID-19 RT-PCR Test, from one nose or throat swab.
Related tests
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Questions people ask
What is the difference between a PCR and a rapid antigen test for COVID-19?
PCR detects the virus's genetic material and is more sensitive, so it finds more infections. A rapid antigen test detects virus proteins, works best when virus levels are high, and can miss some infections.
Can a COVID-19 PCR stay positive after I recover?
Yes. PCR can detect small fragments of the virus for some time after recovery. Your doctor can advise whether a positive result is likely to mean an active infection.
When should I test after contact with someone who has COVID-19?
Testing too soon after contact can miss an infection. Your doctor can advise on timing, and you should test promptly if symptoms appear.
How much does a COVID-19 PCR test cost in Dhaka?
With Mukti Health the price is ৳1,500, and the sample is collected at your home in Dhaka. You see the price again before you confirm the booking in the Mukti Health app.
Can I do the COVID-19 PCR test at home in Dhaka?
Yes. Book it in the Mukti Health app and a trained sample collector comes to your home in Dhaka to take the nose or throat swab. You do not need to go to a laboratory.
How long does the COVID-19 PCR report take?
The report is usually ready within 24 hours of the sample being collected.