A blood test consists of studying the structure and functions of blood cells and blood forming organs and is the most commonly prescribed procedure by doctors. And if earlier it took at least a day to conduct it, then modern technologies allow this to be done much faster with the help of an express blood test. It also affects the speed of diagnosis and medication, which ultimately improves the quality of current medicine.
How did express analysis appear?
This type of research is not new. It first appeared in the middle of the twentieth century with the advent of dry chemicals: granules, powders and tablets, which were used to determine certain substances in biological materials. Then poly-tests were invented, with the help of which it became possible to simultaneously study several parameters of biochemistry. And they were paper strips coated with reagents.
A little later, it became possible to obtain research results in minutes thanks to the appearance of special devices for express blood analysis. Such an opportunity appeared with the advent of equipment for biochemical analysis. Its modern version can fit in the pocket of a doctor’s bathrobe.
Types of express analysis
An express blood test is considered one of the key concepts in modern medicine and is used in various fields. This type of diagnosis allows you to make a diagnosis in a short time. Due to this peculiarity, it has gained significant distribution and is used to achieve various goals, from which the division into different types follows:
- An analysis to determine whether a blood belongs to a particular group.
- An analysis aimed at establishing or eliminating the disease.
- Analysis to identify differences in viral and bacterial infections.
The principle of chemiluminescence is the basis for such analyzes. The discovery by scientists of the presence of chemiluminescent indicators in white blood cells allowed the use of this technique.
Diseases in which the appointment of an express analysis is possible
Symptoms of many pathologies are very similar, especially when it comes to differences in infections caused by bacteria and viruses. In this case, a simple way will come to the rescue - you need to pass an express blood test, which will help you understand the nature of the disease and correctly determine the treatment.
What pathologies does it detect?
Today, urgent methods are used everywhere, and they are very diverse, but in most cases they are used to identify such pathologies:
1. HIV. The result of a study aimed at detecting the presence of HIV infection can be obtained within a quarter of an hour after passing the test, for which it is necessary to take a blood sample of a potential patient. In case of a positive result, it is recommended to submit a second one for confirmation.
2. Diseases of an infectious nature. Using an urgent analysis, you can identify the following diseases:
- gastritis;
- hepatitis;
- chlamydia
- cytomegalovirus infection.
In the case of a positive result, the diagnosis should be confirmed by passing additional tests.
3. Inflammation of the appendix. In the diagnosis of this pathology, an express blood test has recently been used. Each doctor with a complaint of pain in the lower abdomen is required to exclude appendicitis. And if earlier this required a lot of costs and a lot of time, now, thanks to an urgent study, the time and money costs have decreased several times.
Rapid examination using special devices
A separate line is prescribed diagnostic methods, which involve the use of special equipment. Equipment for such studies is small in size, for convenient use in all conditions. One of the most famous express devices can be considered a glucometer, which is in the arsenal of any person suffering from high blood glucose. With it, you can determine the level of sugar in the blood. If we talk about equipment for doctors, then it should also be small in size and get in the bag for carrying.
Using such a biochemical analyzer, the doctor will be able to independently perform blood tests and obtain indicators such as:
- glucose;
- creatinine;
- cholesterol;
- lipoprotein;
- triglyceride.
The presence of such devices is extremely important for every therapist, since they will help to provide emergency assistance in making a diagnosis, if such a need arises. There is also medical equipment that can conduct research by non-invasive diagnosis, that is, without disturbing the skin. Such a device is simply applied to the main vessel and fixed, he considers the cellular composition of blood cells and after half an hour will give a finished result. Such a device is especially useful for children's clinics, because it is children who are very sensitive to any intervention by doctors.
The main disadvantage of express analyzers is that they have an error. Because of this, the use is limited and they are used only in emergency cases.
Test strips for rapid analysis
The delivery of rapid analyzes is possible not only with the use of medical equipment, but also with the help of test strips. This method is quite popular and is in great demand. With it, you can set the level:
- glucose
- nitrogen;
- lipoproteins;
- cholesterol;
- creatinine;
- bilirubin;
- bile pigments.
Thanks to the test strips, you can independently monitor the course of the disease at home and, if necessary, consult a specialist in time to avoid serious consequences. You can purchase such strips at any pharmacy. There you can also clarify their value, since it can vary.
Why do rapid tests take?
A blood test is one of the types of laboratory tests most commonly prescribed by doctors. Thanks to him, you can correctly diagnose and prescribe treatment. It happens that the results of the analysis are required immediately to prescribe adequate treatment to avoid complications. There are times when the life and destiny of a person depends on speed. For example, with large blood loss, it is necessary to find out the patient's blood group or urgently need to distinguish between a viral infection and a bacterial infection. In such situations, it is recommended to take a general rapid blood test.
How is the study conducted?
Now there are two methods for conducting rapid research: based on the use of test strips and the work of a biochemical analyzer. An urgent analysis using the analyzer takes several minutes. Among these devices there are stationary and portable options. The work of the latter is provided by two batteries, and they are easy to carry and take with you wherever you go. There are also devices that are able to work without disturbing the skin of a person. Complete with such medical equipment are test strips that allow you to examine several parameters at once or only one indicator.
Rapid analysis of blood and urine using test strips is one of the most popular diagnostic methods. When applied to a special area where chemical reagents are applied, material for research is placed. After a certain time, this zone is compared with the sample and the results are judged by the color intensity. It is important to remember that such types of diagnostics have an error and serve mainly to identify differences between the result and the norm.
In what situations is it recommended to take rapid tests?
You can get a referral from a doctor for express tests in the following cases:
- The need to urgently get a result for the diagnosis of the disease.
- Surgical preparation for the intervention.
- Diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections, such as rapid blood count for HIV, hepatitis or chlamydia.
- Examination conducted as part of a professional examination.
- Establishment of pregnancy at an early stage (rapid blood test for hCG).
Why is the express method so popular today?
It is difficult not to notice that such methods are gaining momentum and are in demand, a number of reasons contribute to this:
- high speed of obtaining results (maximum one hour);
- does not require a large amount of biological materials;
- the accuracy of the result is up to 98%;
- there is no need to visit the laboratory, the result can be obtained at home, subject to the availability of the necessary apparatus.
These reasons determine the high demand for express research services.
Rapid blood test in Moscow. Where can I get express tests?
Now there is no problem with where you can take such tests. You can take an express blood test both in Moscow and St. Petersburg, and in the provinces in the vast majority of private clinics. And test strips, allowing you to get the result even at home, are sold in every pharmacy.
Research Cost
The price of express tests will, of course, be higher than a conventional study, but you should not save on health. In addition, the cost will depend on both the region and the type of analysis. For example, in Moscow, the cost of urgent tests ranges from 400 to 3000 rubles, and the cost of an express blood test in St. Petersburg will cost the patient 300-3400 rubles.
Thus, rapid analysis is a reliable assistant in the work of doctors and people's lives. It allows you to identify diseases at different stages of development and monitor the condition of patients with an already established diagnosis. Urgent analysis is firmly entrenched in people's lives and impeccably fulfill their functions.