PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests will prove if a patient actually has a virus and does not need antibiotics, thereby affirming a provider’s decision to avoid drugs that are unnecessary and can have significant side effects (this is a constant struggle for all physicians).

PCR Tests

PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests are a fast, highly accurate way to diagnose certain infectious diseases and genetic changes.

The tests work by finding the DNA or RNA of a pathogen (disease-causing organism) or abnormal cells in a sample. Most viruses and other pathogens contain DNA or RNA.

·       DNA is the genetic material that contains instructions and information for all living things. 

·      RNA is another type of genetic material. It contains information that has been copied from DNA and is involved in making proteins.

Unlike many other tests, PCR tests can find evidence of disease in the earliest stages of infection. Other tests may miss early signs of disease because there aren't enough viruses, bacteria, or other pathogens in the sample, or your body hasn't had enough time to develop an antibody response. Antibodies are proteins made by your immune system to attack foreign substances, such as viruses and bacteria. PCR tests can detect disease when there is only a very small amount of pathogens in your body.

During a PCR test, a small amount of genetic material in a sample is copied multiple times. The copying process is known as amplification. If there are pathogens in the sample, amplification will make them much easier to see.

Other names: polymerase chain reaction, rtPCR, reverse transcription PCR, qPCR, quantitative PCR, real-time PCR

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