Tests

[damnthisvirusandmarriage]

Does anyone know exactly why PCR tests are more accurate? And how do they differ to LFTs? Is the laboratory equipment and chemicals used different to the LFT bits?

Does that even make sense?

PCRs are processed in a lab and are much more sensitive. It's s different technology. LFT s are good at a quick & dirty (cheap) population level.

PCR stands for Polymerase chain reaction. Basically they multiply up any virus RNA so that it is easier to "see".

Amazing. Thank you. Makes sense now 😁

Pcrs will pick up if you've had covid in the last 90 days whereas lfts pick up if you are actively infectious.

Pcrs will pick up if you've had covid in the last 90 days whereas lfts pick up if you are actively infectious.
That's not quite true. The 90 day thing is that you may test positive for 90 days due to old bit of virus staying around. Plenty of people don't, it's just not reliable within 90 days for that reason.
They actually say not to PCR test more than 5(?) days after symptoms start as it may not pick it up then.