How Many Times Can I Get Tested for Covid
COVID-19 testing has become office of the new normal. Perchance you have symptoms and want to know if it's COVID-19. Or you lot're planning on traveling and need to show negative test results. Whatever your reason for testing, you may exist wondering well-nigh a PCR vs. antigen examination and which type is right for you.
Molecular tests, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, are more accurate. Just they usually get through a laboratory, so it takes longer to get your results. Antigen tests (as well called rapid tests) are less accurate, but you lot tin can practise them at dwelling and go results in virtually 15 minutes. Read more to make up one's mind which type is right for you.
Molecular tests utilize a laboratory procedure to look for the genetic material of the virus that causes COVID-nineteen. PCR and other molecular tests can detect even pocket-size amounts of the virus, so they take very few false negative results.
You can become PCR tests at health clinics, pharmacies, and other designated testing locations. They ordinarily involve a nasal swab, just can besides utilize a throat swab or saliva sample. After your sample is collected, it's sent to a laboratory for processing. It usually takes between one and seven days to become PCR test results. There are likewise habitation collection PCR kits you can apply to ship a sample via mail to a laboratory.
Can You Get a Same-Day PCR Exam?
If yous desire a PCR test but need your results right away, in that location are same-mean solar day PCR test locations that tin can provide results within a few hours. Same-solar day PCR testing may exist offered by small-scale diagnostic or urgent care clinics. Yous can search online for same-twenty-four hour period PCR testing near yous.
Another pick is a rapid molecular exam called ID At present. This test is not as sensitive as a laboratory PCR test, merely information technology's more sensitive than an antigen exam. Certain pharmacies offer this test, and you can get your results on site in equally little equally 15 minutes.
How Practice Antigen Tests Piece of work?
Antigen tests look for viral proteins instead of the genetic cloth of the virus. They can't detect very small amounts of virus, and then you need a college corporeality of the virus in the sample to get a positive issue. That ways y'all're well-nigh likely to get an accurate consequence when you lot accept the virtually virus in your organization (typically well-nigh a week afterward symptoms appear).
This too means that false negative results are more mutual with antigen tests, especially if you lot're asymptomatic (meaning you're infected but don't take any symptoms) or if you take the examination when you lot were recently infected.
Unlike PCR tests, you lot can do the entire antigen test process by yourself at home. You simply take a nose or pharynx swab and apply the swab to a cartridge or test strip, similar to a pregnancy exam. Results are unremarkably set up in about fifteen minutes. That'due south why these are ofttimes called "rapid" tests. You tin can also get rapid antigen tests at doctors' offices and pharmacies.
PCR vs. Antigen Test: Which Should I Choose?
The type of test y'all need depends on the reason you're taking information technology. For example, doctors usually employ PCR tests to confirm a COVID-19 diagnosis because they're more than authentic. But if you're doing routine testing through your schoolhouse or workplace, antigen tests are probably more convenient and effective for quick, regular tests.
If y'all're planning on traveling, you may exist required to show a negative COVID-19 examination. Depending on where you're going, at that place may be requirements for the type of exam equally well every bit when and where yous get information technology. And then make sure you know the rules for the surface area you're visiting to avert whatever filibuster in your plans.
If you're sick and accept symptoms of COVID-nineteen, a drive-thru PCR exam or home antigen exam may exist a good choice so that you lot avoid the take a chance of exposure to others. Many people also take COVID-19 tests for peace of listen. Whatsoever your reason, it'south important to consider the timing. Experts recommend that you wait three to five days afterwards a potential exposure to avert a false negative outcome.
Where Can I Become Tested Near Me? And What About Cost?
Wellness centers and chemist's chains like CVS and Walgreens provide COVID-nineteen tests for little or no cost. Testing may too be covered by your insurance at approved locations like hospitals or doctors' offices. Just at-abode rapid antigen tests may not be covered. So if cost is a concern, do your research and check with your insurance company before choosing a test type and location — or find a free customs testing location about y'all.
And if you have symptoms of COVID-19, talk with your physician and follow their recommendations for testing and managing your symptoms.
And remember, the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 is to get vaccinated. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines and how to become them.
Resource Links
- "COVID-19 Diagnostic Testing" via Mayo Clinic
- "Which COVID-19 Examination Should Yous Use?" via Yale Medicine
- "Coronavirus Disease 2022 Testing Basics" via Food and Drug Assistants
- "Five Things to Know Near the Cost of COVID-xix Testing and Treatment" via Kaiser Family Foundation
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Source: https://www.symptomfind.com/procedures-and-tests/pcr-vs-antigen-test?utm_content=params%3Ao%3D740013%26ad%3DdirN%26qo%3DserpIndex
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