What it means
The test makes millions of copies of a short piece of DNAdee-en-AY (said as letters)Deoxyribonucleic acid: the molecule in cells that carries the genetic instructions for growth and function.Full entry or RNAar-en-AY (said as letters)Ribonucleic acid: a molecule in cells that copies genetic instructions from DNA and helps build proteins.Full entry until there is enough to detect. It is very sensitive, so it can find a virus or bacterium early, even in small amounts. It is used for COVID-19, influenza, sexually transmitted infections, the HIV viral loadVY-rul lohdThe amount of a virus in a person's blood, usually measured in copies per milliliter.Full entry and many genetic tests.
For the nurse
Collect the swab or specimen exactly as directed (for a nasal swab, the right depth and number of turns) and send it promptly in the right container.
At a glance
| Also written | polymerase chain reaction |
|---|
Related terms
RNA
Ribonucleic acid: a molecule in cells that copies genetic instructions from DNA and helps build proteins.
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid: the molecule in cells that carries the genetic instructions for growth and function.
viral load
The amount of a virus in a person's blood, usually measured in copies per milliliter.