A Covid test is essential in saving lives, especially if you do not show any symptoms of fever, difficulty breathing, infection, or sore throat. It helps prevent the spread of the virus, especially if you have been exposed to an infected person. Getting a covid test also enables you to seek treatment earlier and reduce your chances of infecting others. You should consider getting a Sugar Land Covid test if you are experiencing symptoms to avoid spreading the virus. Learn more about the covid test, how it works and how it can help you improve your quality of life.
When Should You Consider Getting a Covid Test?
Getting tested for covid should be mandatory, particularly when experiencing symptoms or feeling sick. If you are showing signs of pain in the chest, muscle pain, headache, cough, nasal congestion, and loss of taste and smell, consider getting a covid test immediately.
Also, if you have been exposed to the covid virus but showing no symptoms, you should consider getting tested. However, it would be best to wait at least five days after exposure for more accurate test results.
Also, before interacting with vulnerable age communities or those at high risk of COVID-19, consider getting a test.
What Are the Different Types of Covid Tests
Four types of covid tests effectively detect whether you are infected with the virus. They include a covid molecular, antibody, and antigen tests. A molecular covid test is usually the most accurate and can be used whether you have symptoms. A healthcare practitioner does it through a nasal swab or a saliva test.
A covid antigen test produces faster results compared to other tests. However, it is less effective in testing for the presence of covid virus in your body. A negative-positive antigen test needs a follow-up because it could mean you are also positive.
A covid antibody test involves checking for antibodies that fight the virus in your blood. A positive test might mean you have antibodies from a covid vaccination or past infections.
What Should You Expect During a Covid Test?
The specifics of your covid test primarily depend on your test. For the antigen test, your healthcare provider will conduct a nasal swab involving placing the swab under your nostrils. You might feel some mild discomfort for a short period before completion.
For the antibody covid test, your healthcare provider will draw blood from your arm using a needle and syringe. They will then send the sample to the onsite lab for further testing.
You can also conduct a covid test at home by yourself. All you need to do is buy an at-home covid test kit at a pharmacy and swab yourself, and the results will be ready within fifteen minutes. However, if you are experiencing severe covid symptoms, it would be best to rush to an emergency care unit at the hospital.
What Do You Do When Your Covid Test Turns Positive?
If your covid test turns positive, you might need to stay and rest at home for five days after the test to avoid contact with other people. If you feel better within a week or two, with no symptoms, visit your healthcare provider for a check-up. Your provider will check your progress before conducting another test.
During this period, avoid meeting anyone, especially those with a weakened immune system. Also, ensure you fully protect yourself by wearing a mask and gloves, maintaining proper hygiene, and social distancing.
If you are showing symptoms or need to learn more about covid tests, visit St. Michael’s Elite Hospital. There, you will meet a board of certified physicians who will guide you every step of the way during your covid test. You will also receive utmost care and attention, especially if you have any covid symptoms. Call or book an appointment online to get answers to all questions you might have.
