NGS (Next Generation Sequencing) is a highly sophisticated molecular genetics technique used for in depth analysis of DNA. It enables experts to get to the bottom of the genetic causatives of various diseases or disabilities and makes the pharmacy industry capable of synthesizing targeted drugs.

A positive result indicates the presence of viral/bacterial/fungal (depends on the type of analysis) genetic material in the sample. This indicates that the patient is infected and potentially contagious depending on the disease.

A negative qPCR result indicates absence of viral/bacterial/fungal genetic material in the sample. The patient is hence not a carrier of the infection.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is defined as illness caused by a novel coronavirus now called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2; formerly called 2019-nCoV), which was first identified amid an outbreak of respiratory illness cases in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China.

Individuals with COVID-19 typically develop fever and/or symptoms of acute respiratory illness (e.g., cough, difficulty breathing) but the full clinical spectrum of disease is not yet known, recently experts have reported loss of smell and taste as symptoms. Signs and symptoms may appear any time from 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus. Based on preliminary data, the median incubation period is approximately 5 days, but may range 2-14 days.

No, you do not need to fast, as these tests are based on genetics, not biochemistry.

Of course, each patient can get his own copy of the test results after consultation with his physician or genetic counselor.

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). You can get HPV by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the virus. HPV can be passed even when an infected person has no signs or symptoms. HPV can cause cervical and other cancers including cancer of the vulva, vagina, penis, or anus. It can also cause cancer in the back of the throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils (called oropharyngeal cancer).

Noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT), sometimes called noninvasive prenatal screening (NIPS), is a method of determining the risk that the fetus will be born with certain genetic abnormalities. This testing analyzes small fragments of DNA that are circulating in a pregnant woman’s blood.

Genetic counseling is the interpretation of your genetic test results by experienced geneticists. Genetic counseling services can determine if your child is at risk for genetic disorders and provide support along the way and help you prepare for the birth of a child with special needs. Genetic counselors help people understand how birth defects, genes and medical conditions run in families.