The PCR test is not determinative. Anyone know someone who has had the kind of test they give when you have strep or the flu? I don’t know of one. I know a lot of people who “had the Covid” but the only way it was determined was a PCR test, and a patient who was worried. There are random other things like fever in some, loss of taste and smell in others, a dry cough, or hurts to breathe. But nobody I know has had a swab that was sent out to be tested for exact disease.
Both Strep and Influenza are tested for with PCR in modern labs these days. Many upscale doctor offices have their own in house mini lab with a PCR machine.
Yes it is. Like all tests it's not fool proof but the specificity rate is something like 95%.
Anyone know someone who has had the kind of test they give when you have strep or the flu?
Both the flu and strep are commonly detected with antigen tests. Antigen tests for COVID are widely available at pretty much every drug store in the United States. They're faster but less accurate than PCR though.