Covid Molecular Swab: Cost, What It Is, When to Do It

Covid Molecular Swab: Let's find out more about this diagnostic tool

The Covid 19 molecular swab has forcefully entered everyone's daily life since March 2020. It is a very important tool for identifying subjects positive for the Covid 19 virus and therefore proceeding with all the necessary operations to prevent outbreaks of the virus itself. To find your way through the sea of ​​information relating to swabs for the diagnosis of Covid 19, it is useful to establish some fixed points.

What is the Covid molecular swab?

The Covid molecular swab consists of a sample of material from the secretions of the mouth and nose. The samples taken are examined using a special machine, which processes the swabs using molecular methods. Through these processes it is possible to amplify the viral genes that replicate most during a viral infection.

In particular, this type of test detects the viral RNA typical of the coronavirus. This type of analysis is performed by specialized laboratories and usually takes 24 to 48 hours to obtain a result.

Performing the swab takes a few minutes and is not painful, at most it can create only a little discomfort. The molecular swab is the only test considered capable of detecting positivity to Covid 19 with a margin of error of less than 2%

When to do the Covid molecular swab?

The Covid molecular swab must be performed only in certain cases, which have been identified by the health authorities:

• when you have been in contact with a person affected by Covid 19: in this case the molecular swab must be performed on the tenth day from the last contact with the infected person;
• in case of contact with a person at risk of having contracted the Covid 19 infection: in this case, you must wait at least 72 hours from the last contact, because this is the minimum incubation time before the infection develops and is therefore detectable:
• when symptoms appear that are attributable to Covid 19 infection, such as fever, cough, loss of sense of taste and smell: if this type of symptomatology occurs, it is always necessary to refer to your GP (or paediatrician in the case of children). The GP will evaluate the situation and prescribe the execution of the molecular swab;
• if you have already tested positive for Covid: in this case, performing the molecular swab is necessary to be able to check that the subject has completely recovered and can therefore leave the quarantine imposed by law.

How much does the Covid molecular swab cost?

As for the prices of the Covid molecular swabs you can find important differences moving between the various Italian regions, but also between the different laboratories that perform this type of test. For this reason, in the case of having to perform a molecular swab at your own expense (therefore not covered by public health) it can be useful to quickly compare the different options offered.

Without forgetting that some facilities offer the possibility of carrying out the molecular swab at home, without having to move and risk being involved in gatherings. The price range of molecular swabs varies from a minimum of 50 to a maximum of 150 euros.