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    COVID-19

    Diagnosing COVID-19: Testing is essential


    Diagnosing COVID-19 infections
    5min
    Katherine Soreng, PhD, Connie Mardis, M.Ed
    Published on April 29, 2020

    There are two types of laboratory tests for COVID-19: Testing for the viral RNA itself is useful for the early diagnosis of both symptomatic patients and individuals with known or potential exposure. Antibody tests will likely prove extremely valuable for surveillance and could potentially provide assessment for immunity, as well as aiding identification of acute infection.

    What is COVID-19?

    Table of symptoms found in COVID-19 patients.

    Differentiating COVID-19 infection

    COVID-19 sample collection

    Molecular testing for COVID-19

    Serology testing for COVID-19 antibody

    Sequencing of the COVID-19 virus

    A nurse is taking respiratory secretions of a patient through a nasopharyngeal swab.

    Testing challenges

    Further information

    By Katherine Soreng, PhD, Connie Mardis, M.Ed
    Connie Mardis holds degrees in Cardiovascular Perfusion and Education, and is a Marketing Educator at Siemens Healthineers. Her work is published mainly in journals, industry and trade publications, and online.
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    19. The statements by Siemens Healthineers' customers described herein are based on results that were achieved in the customer's unique setting. Since there is no "typical" hospital and many variables exist (e.g., hospital size, case mix, level of IT adoption) there can be no guarantee that other customers will achieve the same results.