This test guide is based on a simplified model of the evolution of the disease and is useful for the vast majority of patients. More severe forms of the disease will result in a longer and more difficult course.

The incubation period starts from the moment of infection and lasts on average between 5-7 days, when the first symptoms of the disease appear.

During the severe period, most patients will suffer from fever, nausea, cough, headache or diarrhea. While some will remain asymptomatic, others may develop lung disease that prolongs the disease by two weeks and can lead to progressive hypoxia and death.

During the period of decline, most patients will experience a relief of symptoms until their eventual disappearance.

Convalescence is the period in which the symptoms have disappeared and the body begins to recover after the disease until the eventual return to normal.

During this period, most people already develop resistance to the virus, but it is not known how long it will last or how well protected we will be.

The result can be inconclusive during the resitance period

The COVID-19 RT-PCR assay involves a reverse transcriptase chain polymerization reaction (rRT-PCR) used for the qualitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid in the upper and lower respiratory samples.

During this period the symptoms appear

Antigenic tests detect the presence of a specific viral antigen, which implies a current viral infection. Antigen tests are currently permitted to be performed on nasopharyngeal or nasal swab samples.

The test for IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, also known as a serological test, can detect in the blood the presence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies produced by the body in response to SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection. The test is performed from venous blood and has an accuracy of 99%, sensitivity of 100%, and specificity of 99.5%.

The result can be inconclusive during the incubation period

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