A member asked:

What does a clear positive pcr test for covid mean ? the line is not faint , on the contrary . it is dark , does this mean the infection is half way through or does that mean viral load is too much inside his body ?

2 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
Dr. Yvette Kratzberg answered

Specializes in Pediatrics

The color or intensity of the line does not have any meaning. A positive covid test indicates that the person is currently infected with the Covid virus. In a symptomatic patient, the course typically lasts 5-14 days from the onset of symptoms. In an Asymptomatic patient, the assumption is that the patient is safe to be around others 5-7 days after they test positive.

Answered 7/1/2022

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Dr. Deborah Ungerleider answered

Specializes in Pediatrics

PCR test can be + for 90 days after the first +; this doesn’t mean someone still has active infection or is still contagious. It is not recommended that PCRs be repeated in that time frame once +. If someone has new symptoms after that time, PCR can mean new infection. A rapid COVID test is a more accurate test for infectiousness and can be used in the 5 to 10 day period after ill to know that.

Answered 7/6/2022

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