The risk of contracting a disease while traveling is quite high. When you plan to travel out of the country for business or pleasure, you expose yourself to the risks of catching a virus-like Coronavirus or something more serious. So, to protect yourself from contracting an exotic infection when traveling abroad, it is suggested to take precautions and get tested for the presence of potential viruses before leaving the country.
What is the RT PCR Test for Travel?
COVID-19 is a contagious virus that can cause mild to severe illness in humans. It mainly affects the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and central nervous systems. It is commonly contracted during travel or when visiting an affected region. The virus can be found in the droplets of coughs, sneezes, on the skin, or in the feces of an infected person.
The RT-PCR test is a type of molecular test that is used to detect the presence of the COVID-19 virus in a person’s body. It is a requirement for many international travelers these days. If someone tests positive for the virus, they can be quarantined and treated before they have a chance to infect others. So if you’re planning to travel internationally, make sure you get the RT PCR test done at least 72 hours before your flight. This will allow you to get your results back in time and make sure that you are cleared to travel. It could just save your and other passengers’ lives.
You can get the RT PCR test done at a US Travel and COVID lab or through a travel health provider. It is a highly sensitive test that can detect minute quantities of the virus. They usually perform the test by taking a sample of a person’s saliva or nose swab and then amplifying the virus’s genetic material. This test is also used to monitor patients exposed to the virus and the spread of the virus in the community.
Why is the RT PCR Test for Travel Important?
Since it detects the virus directly, it is especially useful when testing people with compromised immune systems who cannot be exposed to live viruses (such as travelers). It is also helpful in identifying people who have been in direct contact with infected people and could have been exposed to the virus.
It also helps determine the need for isolation of patients and implement preventive measures. Nowadays. test results are ready in just 2-3 hours compared to up to 3 days with other methods.
How do I get the RT PCR Test?
If you are in the United States, you may visit the nearest healthcare center or travel clinic. Most clinics also offer a number of other travel tests. In recent years, the implementation of RT PCR has become an industry standard for travel medicine programs across the country.
What are the next steps?
If the test is positive, you must inform the doctor about your travel history and the risk of exposure to the virus. If the infection has been transmitted via droplets or by touching contaminated objects, then you must be admitted to the hospital and quarantined.
However, if the infection has been transmitted directly with infected secretions, you can be treated at home. The doctor’s recommendation must be followed to control the virus’s spread in the community. The good news is that the treatment is much easier and more effective if the virus is detected early. But, if the virus is detected during a later stage, the person needs to be admitted to the hospital and treated with antiviral drugs and other supportive measures.
Conclusion
While it is possible to contract the virus during travel, it is very rare. You can reduce the risk by taking precautions, such as wearing a mask when you:
- Sit around sick people.
- Use a Q-Tip to clean the droplets off your skin.
- Take your temperature every day and after any contact with the sick.
The symptoms are similar to just about all other viral infections, but they do not get better with time.
Remember, a negative RT PCR test does not mean that you will not get sick from the virus. It simply means that you do not have the virus in your body. You can still get sick, even without the virus being present because the rate of illnesses caused by the virus is higher than that of other illnesses.
You can get pcr test Huntsville with US Travel Lab. With same day PCR test for travel Huntsville. Also, test your friends, family members, and employees who might also be traveling along to ensure the safety of everyone. Safe travels!
