Respiratory diseases

We offer five tests in the area of respiratory diseases. The first is COVID-19 detection by RT-PCR, a nucleic acid amplification technique that the Ministerio de Salud de la Nación (Argentina's national Ministry of Health) recognizes as a diagnostic test for SARS-CoV-2, along with the rapid antigen test and the LAMP technique. PCR results are delivered in 24 business hours.

We also perform the rapid antigen test for COVID-19, which looks for viral proteins and gives you a result quickly. We offer a respiratory virus panel that detects Influenza A, Influenza B, SARS-CoV-2 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in a single swab, four important viruses in seasonal respiratory illness; if it comes back negative, another virus may be the cause, such as common cold viruses, which the panel does not test for. We also perform Influenza A PCR with subtyping (H3N2 and H1N1), mainly useful for surveillance and outbreaks, and a quantitative blood test for COVID-19 anti-Spike antibodies, which describes your antibody level at that moment but does not tell you whether you are protected.

Identifying which virus is causing your symptoms can help guide clinical management and care measures at home. How to interpret the result and what to do next should always be agreed upon with your doctor.

According to the U.S. CDC, PCR (a nucleic acid amplification test) is the reference test, or "gold standard," for COVID-19: it is better at detecting the virus than the antigen test, especially when the viral load is low or there are no symptoms. The sample is processed in the laboratory, so the result takes some time; at Aclimu, it is available in 24 business hours.

The antigen test is fast, and a positive result is reliable. However, the CDC notes that it is less sensitive than PCR, so a single negative antigen result cannot rule out infection, especially if you have symptoms. The Ministerio de Salud de la Nación agrees that a negative antigen result does not rule out the disease and that symptoms should be reassessed if they persist.

As a general guide: if you need a reliable, documented result, PCR is the most sensitive option. If you want a quick answer and you have symptoms, the antigen test can be useful, keeping in mind that if the result is negative and your symptoms persist, it is best to confirm with PCR. The final choice will depend on your clinical situation and your doctor's judgment.

The Ministerio de Salud de la Nación defines a suspected COVID-19 case as a person who has two or more of the following symptoms: fever (37.5 °C or higher), cough, sore throat, difficulty breathing, headache, muscle pain, diarrhea or vomiting, and nasal congestion or rhinitis. A sudden loss of taste or smell with no other cause to explain it is also considered a compatible symptom.

The flu (influenza) usually starts suddenly with a high fever (38 °C or higher), headache, fatigue, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, muscle pain and general malaise; children may also have digestive symptoms. The common cold, on the other hand, is usually milder. RSV is the leading cause of acute respiratory infection in babies and young children and, according to the Ministerio de Salud, it can affect the lower respiratory tract in 20–30% of cases.

Because these illnesses share many symptoms, testing helps tell them apart. In general, it is a good idea to get tested when respiratory symptoms appear, and the CDC recommends not delaying testing if you have symptoms. If you have difficulty breathing or other warning signs, seek medical care right away.

The Ministerio de Salud de la Nación recommends care measures that reduce the spread of respiratory viruses: ventilating indoor spaces, washing your hands often with soap and water, covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, and avoiding going to work, school or public places if you have symptoms.

Vaccination is a key tool. The flu vaccine reduces severe complications, hospitalizations and deaths from influenza, especially in high-risk groups. For RSV, Argentina added vaccination of pregnant people between 32 weeks and 36 weeks 6 days of pregnancy to its Calendario Nacional (national immunization schedule), a measure that has shown a significant reduction in hospital admissions among babies under 6 months of age. Ask your doctor which vaccines are right for you.