Learn More about the Different Types of COVID-19 Tests

The coronavirus disease is an infectious disease that continues to affect the world. To identify and protect oneself from COVID-19, vaccinations, and testing are provided by healthcare facilities and establishments, including your local pharmacy in Brooklyn. Testing is important to detect COVID-19 and current infections.

As a pharmacy in Brooklyn, New York, we will discuss the different types of tests and their purposes:

• Molecular Tests

  This type of test is used to diagnose a current infection with the novel coronavirus. Molecular tests may also be referred to as the nucleic acid amplification (NAAT) test, reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) test, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test. A rapid PCR test in Brooklyn, New York is available in most pharmacies, health clinics, and hospitals.

• Antigen Tests

  Antigen tests can also identify if you have a current infection and works by identifying specific viral markers called antigens. To acquire a sample for the test, a nasal swab is used. Antigen tests are typically quicker than molecular tests and can take around 15-30 minutes to see the result.

• Antibody Tests

  Antibody tests determine if you had a previous infection. Also called the serological or serology test, this type of test looks for antibodies specific to the novel coronavirus. Antibodies are proteins that the immune system produces in response to infections or vaccinations.

Gena Care Pharmacy is your trusted provider of pharmaceutical products and services. In addition to immunizations, specialty drugs, and generic plans, we are also an HIV specialty pharmacy in Brooklyn, New York. Reach out to us for any prescription concerns or inquiries about rapid PCR testing and immunization.