Where Can I Get a Covid-19 Rapid Test
COVID-19 testing has go part of the new normal. Maybe yous have symptoms and want to know if it'due south COVID-19. Or yous're planning on traveling and need to show negative test results. Whatever your reason for testing, you may be wondering virtually a PCR vs. antigen test and which blazon is right for you lot.
Molecular tests, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, are more authentic. Simply they usually go through a laboratory, then it takes longer to get your results. Antigen tests (likewise called rapid tests) are less accurate, but you can do them at habitation and get results in about 15 minutes. Read more to decide which type is right for you.
Molecular tests use a laboratory process to look for the genetic material of the virus that causes COVID-19. PCR and other molecular tests can observe even modest amounts of the virus, so they have very few false negative results.
Y'all can get PCR tests at health clinics, pharmacies, and other designated testing locations. They ordinarily involve a nasal swab, simply tin also apply a throat swab or saliva sample. Later on your sample is nerveless, information technology's sent to a laboratory for processing. It normally takes between one and seven days to get PCR test results. There are also home collection PCR kits you tin can use to ship a sample via mail to a laboratory.
Tin can You Become a Same-24-hour interval PCR Exam?
If yous desire a PCR test but need your results right abroad, there are aforementioned-solar day PCR test locations that tin provide results within a few hours. Same-day PCR testing may be offered by small-scale diagnostic or urgent care clinics. You tin search online for same-twenty-four hour period PCR testing virtually y'all.
Another choice is a rapid molecular test called ID NOW. This exam is not every bit sensitive as a laboratory PCR test, just it's more than sensitive than an antigen test. Certain pharmacies offer this examination, and you lot can get your results on site in as little as xv minutes.
How Do Antigen Tests Work?
Antigen tests look for viral proteins instead of the genetic material of the virus. They can't detect very small amounts of virus, so you need a higher amount of the virus in the sample to become a positive result. That means you're nigh likely to get an accurate result when you have the virtually virus in your system (typically about a week afterward symptoms appear).
This too ways that simulated negative results are more common with antigen tests, especially if you lot're asymptomatic (significant y'all're infected but don't have any symptoms) or if y'all take the test when y'all were recently infected.
Different PCR tests, you can do the unabridged antigen test procedure by yourself at home. You simply accept a olfactory organ or throat swab and apply the swab to a cartridge or exam strip, similar to a pregnancy test. Results are unremarkably set up in about fifteen minutes. That's why these are oftentimes called "rapid" tests. You can besides 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 ordinarily use PCR tests to ostend a COVID-nineteen diagnosis because they're more than accurate. But if you're doing routine testing through your school or workplace, antigen tests are probably more convenient and effective for quick, regular tests.
If yous're planning on traveling, you may exist required to show a negative COVID-xix test. Depending on where yous're going, there may be requirements for the blazon of test as well equally when and where y'all get it. And so make certain yous know the rules for the area you're visiting to avoid any delay in your plans.
If y'all're sick and have symptoms of COVID-19, a drive-thru PCR test or home antigen test may exist a good choice so that you lot avert the hazard of exposure to others. Many people too take COVID-19 tests for peace of heed. Whatever your reason, it'southward important to consider the timing. Experts recommend that you wait three to five days after a potential exposure to avoid a false negative result.
Where Can I Get Tested Near Me? And What Well-nigh Cost?
Health centers and pharmacy chains similar CVS and Walgreens provide COVID-19 tests for niggling or no cost. Testing may also be covered by your insurance at approved locations like hospitals or doctors' offices. Just at-dwelling house rapid antigen tests may not exist covered. So if cost is a business, do your research and check with your insurance company before choosing a test type and location — or find a free community testing location virtually you.
And if you lot have symptoms of COVID-19, talk with your medico and follow their recommendations for testing and managing your symptoms.
And remember, the all-time mode to protect yourself and others from COVID-xix is to get vaccinated. Learn more virtually COVID-xix vaccines and how to become them.
Resources Links
- "COVID-19 Diagnostic Testing" via Mayo Clinic
- "Which COVID-19 Test Should You Utilize?" via Yale Medicine
- "Coronavirus Disease 2022 Testing Basics" via Food and Drug Administration
- "Five Things to Know Almost the Price of COVID-19 Testing and Treatment" via Kaiser Family Foundation
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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