Mayo Clinic Talks27 Jan 2022

Mayo Clinic Q&A: COVID-19 testing scenarios — what test and when?

This episode is shared from Mayo Clinic Q&A and was recorded in January 2022

Guest: Matthew J. Binnicker, Ph.D. (@DrMattBinnicker)

Host: Halena M. Gazelka, M.D. (@hmgazelkamd)

Testing for COVID-19 is a part of the strategy to end the pandemic. But understanding testing — different types of tests and how and when to use them — can be confusing. Lab-run polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, tests and at-home antigen tests each have a role.

"PCR tests are really sensitive, meaning we can detect really low levels of the virus in a sample," explains Dr. Matthew Binnicker, director of Clinical Virology at Mayo Clinic. "They're very specific, meaning we shouldn't get many false positive results with PCR tests."

At-home antigen tests use a nasal swab and can produce results in 15 minutes, but they also have an increased chance of false-negative results, depending on when you test.

"At-home rapid antigen tests look for a viral protein in the patient sample," says Dr. Binnicker. "So they're quick and easy, but they also have some important limitations."

So if you're worried you might have COVID-19, what test should you take and when?

On the Q&A podcast, Dr. Binnicker walks through various scenarios and makes testing recommendations for what to do if:

You think you’ve been exposed but I don’t have symptoms.
You have symptoms of COVID-19.
You had COVID-19 and want to know if you're “in the clear” to return to work, school or activities.

Denne episoden er hentet fra en åpen RSS-feed og er ikke publisert av Podme. Den kan derfor inneholde annonser.

Episoder(500)

Focused Shockwave Therapy for Musculoskeletal Disorders

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. Guest: Joshua M. Romero, M.D. Tendon disorders can be difficult to manage, and patients often suffer with chronic symptoms. Traditional treatments such as physical thera...

8 Sep 25min

NP/PA Edition: Onboarding, Orientation, and the First 24 Months: What Retains High-Performing NPs and PAs

Host: Andy Herber, P.A.-C. Guests: Jennifer Bold, D.N.P., APRN, C.N.P.; Michelle Booth-Kowalczyk, APRN, C.N.P.; John Weimer, PA-C; Alec Williams, APRN, C.N.P., D.N.P.; As healthcare grows increasingly...

1 Sep 33min

Pulmonary Embolism

Host: Darryl S. Chukta, M.D. Guest: Robert D. McBane, M.D. At times, pulmonary embolism can be very challenging to diagnose. While some patients have a very dramatic presentation, others may have ve...

25 Aug 29min

Innovations and New Options for Cataract Surgery

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. Guest: Ruti Sella Svetlit, M.D. Cataracts are one of the leading causes of vision impairment, especially among older adults. While cataract surgery has been available for...

18 Aug 21min

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. Guest: Stephanie L. Grach, M.D., M.S. Chronic fatigue syndrome is now known as myalgic encephalomyelitis. Despite this change in terminology, there’s still a great deal ...

11 Aug 27min

Pediatric Neck Masses

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. Guest: Josh P. Wiedermann, M.D. Neck masses in children are commonly seen in a primary care practice. Fortunately, most are benign, although serious causes, including mal...

4 Aug 23min

Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. Guest: Karthik Ravi, M.D. Eosinophilic Esophagitis is often misdiagnosed or undiagnosed in primary care settings, yet it’s a common cause of esophageal symptoms. It’s co...

28 Jul 29min

Psoriasis

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. Guest: Dawn Davis, M.D. Psoriasis is a health condition commonly seen in primary care but one which has evolved significantly in both how we understand the disease as we...

21 Jul 29min