What are the Clinical Implications of a Positive RT-PCR Test 6 Months after a Mild SARS-CoV-2 Infection?
  • Joao Gabriel De Carvalho
    Department of Geriatrics, Rehabilitation and Palliative Care, RHNe - Réseau Hospitalier Neuchâtelois, Neuchatel, Switzerland
  • Kateryna Hvozdara
    Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, RHNe - Réseau Hospitalier Neuchâtelois, Neuchatel, Switzerland

Keywords

COVID-19, RT-PCR, swab test

Abstract

We present the case of an 84-year-old female patient hospitalized for surgical treatment of a hip fracture who re-tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 with an RT-PCR nasopharyngeal swab approximately 6 months after presenting mild respiratory symptoms with confirmed COVID-19 in April 2020. We discuss the possibility of reinfection, long-term viral shedding and residual positivity, the limitations of RT-PCR swab tests, and the necessity for new testing methods as the COVID-19 pandemic spreads and long-lasting immunity is uncertain.

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References

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    Published: 2021-04-14
    Issue: 2021: Vol 8 No 4 (view)


    How to cite:
    1.
    De Carvalho JG, Hvozdara K. What are the Clinical Implications of a Positive RT-PCR Test 6 Months after a Mild SARS-CoV-2 Infection?. EJCRIM 2021;8 doi:10.12890/2021_002463.

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