5. Diagnostic Guidelines and Testing Protocols

The significant overlap in symptoms between the new COVID-19 variants, influenza, and other common viruses makes clinical diagnosis unreliable. Therefore, laboratory testing is essential for confirmation.

• Importance of Testing: Infection disease guidelines explicitly state that a COVID-19 diagnosis should be confirmed with a test and not made based on symptoms alone.
• Testing Methods: | Test Type | Description | Reliability | | :— | :— | :— | | PCR / NAAT | Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAATs), including PCR, detect the virus’s genetic material. | Considered the most reliable and primary method for diagnosis according to international guidelines. | | Rapid Antigen Test | Provides quicker results but has lower sensitivity than PCR tests. | A negative result in a symptomatic person may require a repeat test after a few days to confirm. |
• Testing Recommendations:
  • Symptomatic Individuals: Should be tested and remain in isolation until the test result is confirmed.
  • Asymptomatic Individuals with Exposure: Testing may be recommended for those with a known history of contact with an infected person.
  • Routine Screening: Screening of asymptomatic individuals with no known exposure is not considered necessary.