As we deal with COVID-19 more than a year after the boom of the pandemic, many are still encouraged to get tested if there’s a possibility that they’ve been exposed to the virus. New cases are identified every day. With this, knowing your status can help you get the treatment you need, inform close contacts of your condition, and save lives in the process.
Many Americans went through the second round of COVID-19 tests after an initial testing session months ago, but there are still tons who are only experiencing the testing process for the first time. It really begs the question: what happens after deciding to get COVID-19 testing?
It can be a different experience for everyone, but these are the three main phases of getting tested for COVID-19.
Determining When and Where to Get Tested
If you’ve finally decided to get tested for COVID-19, the first thing you need to think of is when. Most people need to be immediately tested when they’ve had known contact with a person who was infected with COVID-19.
Immediate testing is also needed when certain symptoms start showing up out of the blue. If you feel like you’re having issues with your breathing and start getting a fever, place yourself into self-quarantine. Leave only when you’re getting a COVID-19 test.
Nowadays, almost all medical hospitals and facilities offer testing capabilities. Such locations may be viewed as high-risk areas, but a visit is necessary to go through the test and see whether you have positive or negative results for COVID-19.
Understanding the Potential Test
There are three prominent types of testing methods when it comes to COVID-19 testing: swab test, rapid test, and PCR test. All three can be used as a diagnostic test to check for COVID-19, presenting different processes that usually garner the same results. Contact a medical facility on what test they are offering.
A swab test and a PCR test are both similar in the sense that they check for any irregularities in a sample. A swab test checks nasally while a PCR test opts to look at the DNA.
Those two tests are considered to be much more accurate, providing less room for error. Rapid tests use a blood sample to check for antibodies, which can be difficult to capture for COVID-19 since the antibodies form quickly.
Undergoing What Comes After
Getting the COVID-19 results can be a little nerve-wracking. Most tests will take at least 3-5 days, while rapid testing only takes less than 30 minutes. If it’ll take a while to get back your results, be sure to quarantine at home and don’t allow people to expose themselves near you. It can be a good time to notify people you’ve seen recently regarding the testing and updates.
If your COVID-19 test result turns out to be positive, continue staying in quarantine. Keep yourself hydrated and well-rested as you try to recover and battle the oncoming symptoms. Take medication when necessary, and have an emergency number on speed dial when you feel your symptoms worsening.
Conclusion
The anxiety that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused can be so severe, but getting tested can do you, your loved ones, and the people around you well. Be sure to social distance and try to persevere through these trying times. It’s been more than a year after all; rest assured that things are getting better soon.
Need to get tested for COVID-19? Agile Urgent Care offers PCR and rapid testing for those in the Northern New Jersey area. Contact us today to learn more.
