December 2020
Vaccines are on the way, but in the meantime, those getting tested after a COVID-19 exposure should know that tests are not equally effective in detecting the virus. That’s according to experts, including Mayo Clinic s Dr. Bobbi Pritt, who told
BJT that molecular-based tests are the most successful at detecting the presence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. She explained that detection requires an incubation period of three to four days following exposure. It can take two to 14 days for symptoms to appear, Pritt said, although most people become symptomatic five or six days after exposure.
“There’s no evidence to suggest your viral loads are high enough one day after your initial exposure to be picked up by even the most sensitive tests,” added MedAire product director for airport and testing services Alexander Smith. “And there are a few variants of molecular tests. PCR isn’t the only one, it’s just the most popular. They’re i