How Long Does It Take to Get The Results of a PCR Test

With the arrival of the Spring season and more than ever relaxed Covid-19 restrictions, everyone is keen to travel internationally this year.

If you need a PCR test for travel abroad then you need to visit your local Pearl Chemist Group Travel Clinic before you start packing your bags. Our Travel Clinic Services include travel vaccinations, antimalarials, travel health advice and PCR tests for travel in London.

If you need to get your PCR test for travel in Banstead or Earlsfield, simply visit your local Pearl Chemist Group branch.

Depending on what type of COVID-19 test you take and which clinic you get it at you’re your results may be ready anywhere from a few minutes to a few days.

As far as Covid-19 tests go, PCR tests are the gold standard. While antigen tests give you quicker results, but they have a higher rate of false-negative results. These tests are usually used to see if you’ve previously had COVID-19 vs. if you currently have it.

Keep reading as we break down how long it takes to get the results for COVID-19 tests.

How Long Do COVID-19 Test Results Take?

The two different types of COVID-19 tests which include the PCR antibody test and the Antigen diagnostic test.

Antibody tests identify antibodies to show whether you’ve contracted the coronavirus in the past.

Antigen tests will tell you if you have COVID-19 currently. It usually takes longer to get the results, but they are more accurate.

Antigen tests (serological test)

Antigen test results can produce false-negative test results which makes PCR tests more accurate in determining Covid-19 positive test results.Sometimes this test is unable to detect if the virus is in your body even though it’s there.

Also referred to as “rapid test”, antigen tests can produce results in under an hour. Over-the-counter antigen tests are also available to be used at home that also give fast results.

Antibody tests (PCR tests)

COVID-19 testing uses a modified version of PCR called quantitative polymerase chain reaction. This method adds fluorescent dyes to the PCR process to measure the amount of genetic material in a sample.

A positive result happens when the SARS-CoV-2 primers match the DNA in the sample and the sequence is amplified, creating millions of copies. The process takes longer than rapid antigen test but itgives a reliable result.

If you are planning to travel internationally, we recommend PCR test before travel. Click here to book an appointment with us or speak to our qualified staff when you visit a Pearl Chemist Group branch.