Patients who are confirmed to have COVID-19 through a PCR test with mild or no symptoms are recommended to undergo self-isolation for at least 10 days. However, is it necessary to re-test the PCR when the isolation period is over? Check out the explanation here.
PCR test (polymerase chain reaction) is an examination carried out to detect genetic material from certain organisms, such as the Corona virus that causes COVID-19 disease. The PCR test for COVID-19 is the most accurate method of diagnosing COVID-19 disease.
Facts about PCR Retest After Isolation Complete
There are still many people who think that PCR retesting needs to be done to really be declared cured of COVID-19 and get out of isolation. In fact, however, this is not the case.
In the early days of the pandemic, COVID-19 patients did require a PCR test that showed negative results twice in order to be declared cured of COVID-19. However, since June 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that PCR retesting is no longer necessary to determine cure.
COVID-19 patients can be declared cured and may be released from isolation if they do not feel any symptoms and have passed the specified isolation period.
However, to determine whether or not the patient has recovered from COVID-19, the patient can consult a doctor. In order to reduce exposure and stay away from crowds in health facilities, patients can also take advantage of services telemedicine for chat directly with the doctor.
It is important to remember that a repeat PCR test is not necessary because this test cannot distinguish between an active or dead Corona virus. Therefore, for COVID-19 patients who have finished self-isolation or have recovered, sometimes the PCR results can still be positive.
This happens because there are still dead viruses that can no longer cause disease or transmit COVID-19 to other people. This can lead to bias and make the patient feel that he has not recovered.
What to Do if the PCR Retest Result is Positive After Healing
If you have completed self-isolation and have been declared cured of COVID-19, but the PCR test result is still positive, don't worry too much. As long as there are no symptoms, you can move and interact with other people as usual.
A positive PCR result after completing self-isolation, especially if there is an increase in the CT-value, most likely indicates that you have recovered from COVID-19 and cannot transmit this disease to others.
To support the recovery process from COVID-19, you can do the following tips:
- Eat a balanced nutritious diet.
- Measure the value of oxygen saturation and body temperature periodically every day.
- Reduce or manage stress well.
- Adequate rest, namely by sleeping for 7-9 hours every night.
- Regular exercise, for example by doing stretching or yoga.
In addition, it should also be remembered that although a PCR retest does not need to be carried out after completing self-isolation, this does not apply if the symptoms of COVID-19 reappear after some time.
If you again feel the symptoms of COVID-19 or have had close contact with a person who is positive for COVID-19, you should immediately consult a doctor, so that the doctor can give advice according to your health condition.
The reason is, if the symptoms of COVID-19 reappear, it is feared that you will experience reinfection or re-infection. In addition, this may also be a sign that you are experiencing a long-haul COVID-19.
To prevent the transmission of COVID-19, you need to comply with applicable health protocols, such as wearing masks, washing hands regularly, and maintaining physical distance from other people. Also make sure you and your family get the COVID-19 vaccine.
If you still have questions regarding whether or not a PCR retest is necessary after COVID-19 isolation, you can also ask your doctor through the feature chat in the ALODOKTER application or make an appointment with a doctor at the hospital if you really need an immediate examination.
