What is Nucleic acid test?

A nucleic acid test, often called a "NAT", (or nucleic acid amplification test - "NAAT") is a molecular technique used to detect a virus or a bacterium. These tests were developed to shorten the window period, a time between when a patient has been infected and when they show up as positive by antibody tests. The term includes any test that directly detects the genetic material of the infecting organism or virus.