Why PCR (high-complexity) testing?
High Sensitivity & Specificity
Detects pathogens at very low levels.
Detection of Multiple Pathogens
PCR panels can simultaneously test for dozens of pathogens (e.g., respiratory viruses, bacteria, or urine panels). This supports management of co-infections and avoids missed diagnoses.
Valuable for High-Risk Patients
Immunocompromised, pregnant patients, elderly, and those with recurrent infections benefit from early detection. This prevents complications and reduces hospitalizations.
Antibiotics are not always the answer.
Rapid Turnaround Time
Traditional cultures can take 24–72 hours or longer. PCR results are often available in hours, which supports faster diagnosis and targeted therapy.
Supports Antibiotic Stewardship
Helps guide targeted treatment, reducing unnecessary antibiotics. This helps fight antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by guiding evidence-based therapy.
How can prescribing unnecessary antibiotics cause resistance?
Prescribing unnecessary antibiotics can cause resistance because it gives bacteria extra chances to adapt and evolve defenses against those drugs. Here’s how it happens:
1. Antibiotics kill off “easy to kill” bacteria
When you take an antibiotic, it kills the bacteria that are naturally susceptible to that drug.
2. The tougher, naturally resistant bacteria survive
A small number of bacteria may already have mutations or traits that help them survive the antibiotic. When the susceptible bacteria die, the resistant ones are left behind with less competition.
3. The resistant bacteria multiply
These surviving resistant bacteria now reproduce. Soon, the majority of bacteria in your body are resistant.
4. Resistance genes spread
Bacteria can share genes with each other, even across species. One resistant strain can spread resistance widely.
5. The antibiotic becomes less effective for everyone
As resistant bacteria spread in communities, hospitals, and the environment, antibiotics stop working as well, even for people who truly need them.
Using antibiotics unnecessarily is like spraying weed killer on your lawn every day; you kill the normal weeds, but eventually, the only ones left are the superweeds that can’t be killed by anything.
Why does being informed about antibiotics matter?
Being informed about antibiotics matters because it helps protect both your own health and public health. Antibiotics are only needed for treating certain infections caused by bacteria. Antibiotics do not work on viruses, such as those that cause colds, flu, or runny noses, even if the mucus is thick, yellow, or green. Antibiotics also won’t help some common bacterial infections, including most cases of bronchitis, many sinus infections, and some ear infections.
Viruses or Bacteria
Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections, but will not assist in viral illnesses. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that studies show that in otherwise healthy adults and children, antibiotics for bronchitis won’t help you feel better. Want to know the difference between your illness being a virus or bacteria?
References
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Molecular Diagnostic Methods.2. American Society for Microbiology. PCR and Its Clinical Applications. Clinical MicrobiologyReviews, 2019.
3. Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA). Guidelines for the Diagnosis andManagement of Infectious Diseases.
4. Bustin SA, Mueller R. Real-time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR): A perspective.Journal of Molecular Endocrinology, 2005.