Covid 19 Testing

Covid-19 Care

All you need to know about Corona Virus testing

Covid-19 is a global viral pandemic that has paralyzed world economies and brought about massive changes in the way people live and interact. Covid-19 is an acute illness that is a result of infection of a strain of a family of viruses called coronaviruses. The strain has been dubbed SARS-Cov-2.

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Covid-19 Care

All you need to know about Corona Virus testing

Covid-19 is a global viral pandemic that has paralyzed world economies and brought about massive changes in the way people live and interact. Covid-19 is an acute illness that is a result of infection of a strain of a family of viruses called coronaviruses. The strain has been dubbed SARS-Cov-2.

More Details

  • What is Covid-19?

    Covid-19 is a global viral pandemic that has paralyzed world economies and brought about massive changes in the way people live and interact. Covid-19 is an acute illness that is as a result of infection of a strain of a family of viruses called corona viruses. The strain has been dubbed SARS-Cov-2.  

  • Where did Covid-19 originate?

    Covid-19 originated from the city of Wuhan in China, late in 2019. Most medical experts believe that the virus was initially associated with bats, but mutated to infect humans who had no immune barrier against it. This led to a pandemic that has resulted in over 4.2 million deaths globally.  

    4 main variants of concern have been identified to cause numerous deaths:  

    1. Α (alpha) variant- Began in Wuhan, China 
    2. β (beta) variant- Began in South Africa  
    3. Γ(gamma) variant-Began in Brazil 
    4. δ (delta) variant – Began in India 

  • What are Covid waves?

    These are periods characterized by a surge in the number of COVID-19 infections with a defined peak, followed by a decline in cases or trough period, in which transmission had decreased. Covid-19 waves can be limited to specific geographical or have a global presence and are usually as a result of a new variant or relaxation of containment measures. 

  • Do all types of Corona viruses cause Covid-19?

    Not all types of corona viruses cause Covid-19. Corona viruses are a family of viruses that are usually found in the human throat and cause mild flu like symptoms that resolve on their own and do not require treatment. A lot of the older strains of Covid 19 were not highly infectious and did not lead to many deaths. However, Covid-19, which is a subset of Corona viruses, is highly infectious and even causes severe respiratory illness in some people leading to deaths.

  • How is Covid-19 transmitted?

    Covid-19 is transmitted largely through contact with the respiratory droplets when one coughs or sneezes or through physical contact with infected surfaces. It is not transmissible through mother to child, sexual intercourse or by food.  

  • What are the signs and symptoms of Covid-19?

    It is recommended to consult a doctor and get screened for Covid-19 if you notice any of the following symptoms: –

    • Coughing or Sneezing 
    • Difficulty in breathing  
    • Fatigue  
    • Loss of taste or smell  
    • Sore throat 
    • Fever 

  • Covid-19 Testing

    What are some of the tests that are done for Covid -19?  

    There are 2 main modalities of Covid-19 testing, which include: 

    • Covid-19 PCR testing
    • This is a test that is done when a swab taken from deep in the nose is tested for the DNA of the Covid virus. It is the most accurate test but takes about 6-12 hours for the results to be processed. Since this test is the most accurate, it is used preferentially for travelling individuals, accompanied by a TT code (a trusted Traveller code) that acknowledges that the test was legitimately performed and that the Traveller is fit for international travel. Click here to book a PCR test. 
    • Covid-19 Antigen Testing
    •  This is a test that is done to rapidly determine the Covid status of an individual. It detects the viral proteins of the Covid 19 virus and results are processed within 30 minutes to 1 hour of sample collection. It is, however, not as accurate as the PCR test and is not used for international travel. Click here to get your antigen test.

    What is a Covid-19 antibody test?  

    This test is done to determine whether an individual has had Covid-19 infection in the past or not. It is not useful in determining whether or not an individual is currently infected. Usually, within 1-3 weeks after Covid infection, Covid antibodies are detectable in the blood of the infected individual. 

  • What are the treatment options of Covid-19?

    Management of individuals with mild disease is largely supportive since no agent has been known to cure covid-19. A few of the supportive measures include adequate rest, taking plenty of fluids, symptom-specific medications, and self-isolation for 14 days. A doctor’s Teleconsult is recommended in case of any concerns for anyone in isolation.

    Patients with moderate illness may have to get a pulse oximeter to monitor blood oxygen level while on home-based care. They are also advised to consult a doctor in case of worsening of symptoms as well as to get a prescription for symptomatic medications.

    Severe diseases require hospitalization for specialized care such as oxygen support and specific symptomatic medications. 

  • What are post covid physiotherapy exercises?

    These are a series of physiotherapy exercises available for patients who have recovered from Covid-19 that aim to train on breathing control, deep breathing and huffing that are done repetitively in a cycle until the chest feels clear. 

  • How can I stop the spread of Covid 19?

    • Wear a facemask in public places 
    • Avoid overcrowded areas 
    • Keep at least 1.5meters social distance when in public  
    • Consistently use a hand sanitizer with over 70% alcohol
    • Consistently wash your hands with soap and water 
    • Ensure proper ventilation of indoor spaces 

  • Vaccination

    Can I transmit the virus if I am fully vaccinated?  

    Being fully vaccinated does not completely eradicate the possibility of being infected by the Covid virus. However, the vaccine protects against the severity of the disease, with majority of the vaccinated individuals experiencing mild flu like symptoms. As a result, once infected, even if fully vaccinated, one can still transmit the virus.  

    What are the Covid 19 vaccines in use? 

    Several Covid-19 vaccines have been approved for use. Each vaccines offers various efficacy points in terms of protection. Vaccines work by triggering the body’s immune system to fight potential infection and in this case, prevent severe covid-19 disease. The commonest vaccine locally is the AstraZeneca vaccine. Other vaccine include; Pfizer Vaccine, Johnson and Johnson, sputnik V, Moderna Vaccine and Sinopharm vaccine. 

    Are covid 19 vaccines safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding? 

    Covid-19 vaccines can be used safely in pregnancy and among breastfeeding mothers. Get a doctor’s opinion on this.

Frequenty Asked Questions

  • What is the Ponea Health Covid 19 booking experience?

    Ponea health E-commerce platform offers a one stop point for Covid 19 testing, doctor’s consultations and Post Covid recovery packages. Book a vetted facility or home sample collection conveniently from your mobile device. Have your samples promptly collected and processed by vetted laboratories with internal and external quality assurance mechanisms that guarantee reliability.

  • Do I have to visit a hospital to be tested for Covid?

    Through Ponea Health mobile phlebotomy services, get your covid samples conveniently collected by a vetted professional at the comfort of your home or other preferred points for processing at the laboratory.

  • How long does it take to get my covid results?

    Ideally, the turnaround time to get the results is about 12-24 hours after sample collection is done. However, a shorter turnaround time can be arranged by booking the Express Laboratory Services.

  • What is covid 19 express laboratory services?

    This is a service where the Covid results are obtained within less than 6 hours after sample collection.

  • What is Ponea price comparison?

    Ponea health is an aggregator of various health services and providers that work in tandem to guarantee holistic patient care. Through the Ponea Health E-commerce platform, you are able to compare and array of vetted providers such as doctors, laboratories and imaging centers offering similar services at different price points and locations. This allows you to select one within your budget and convenience in terms of location.

  • What do the ratings on the facility mean?

    Facilities on Ponea Health E-commerce platform are rated based on a combination of prerequisite regulatory body accreditation, onsite evaluation and overall patient satisfaction. This guarantees you get the highest attainable level of care.

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