Important Things to Know About Covid-19 Testing
Understanding how the Covid-19 testing process works is always a good idea if you need to be tested. You can receive these tests at an urgent care center, as it’s important to get tested if you were in close contact with someone diagnosed with Covid-19 or if you have any symptoms.
Different testing procedures are available, as the nasal swab test is one of the most common methods used for Covid-19 testing. Other types of tests for Covid-19 include a throat swab, nucleic acid testing, and antigen testing. Nasal swab testing is often recommended due to it being more accurate compared to other tests.
How Can I Get Tested for Covid-19?
A Covid-19 nasal swab test needs to be prescribed by a doctor. The best way to get tested is to reach out to your primary care physician or visit a local urgent care clinic that offers these testing services. Staying proactive by getting tested is important in enabling you to get the help you need as soon as possible without any delays.
Should I Consider Using at-Home Covid-19 Tests?
Most at-home tests usually involve collecting your own specimen before shipping it to a nearby testing facility. The biggest drawback of at-home testing is that it takes time to wait on the results, and there is always uncertainty about the medical expertise of using a lab.
On the other hand, visiting an urgent care clinic gives you access to medical professionals that can easily conduct the test, and you can often get the results in 20 minutes or less.
What is the Likelihood of a False-Negative Test?
Sometimes a false-negative can happen on certain tests. Typically, this happens during the initial stages of infection while the person isn’t showing any symptoms. Getting a good-quality specimen is important in avoiding this situation, which is why nasal swab tests are often recommended for most people. On the other hand, a doctor may order another test if they believe that the person is likely dealing with Covid-19.
Taking additional precautions to limit the chance of false-negative tests is always important for improving accuracy. Using a dedicated team to perform swabs is key to always getting a high-quality specimen each time. Making sure these tests undergo a verification process is also key to ensure everything was done correctly to limit the chance of a false-negative Covid-19 test.
What Happens If Test is Negative but my Doctor Suspects I have Covid-19?
Sometimes a false-negative test can happen, as your doctor will look at your symptoms and consider additional testing options. Alternative methods can also be used, such as performing a chest X-ray or a CT scan of your lungs. Any signs of abnormalities may indicate an infection. Your doctor will weigh the risks of whether you need a more invasive procedure to get samples from inside of your lungs.
One procedure is known as a bronchoscopy, as it uses a fiber-optic camera that’s inserted down your throat and goes into your lungs to collect samples. However, this procedure is only done if it’s absolutely necessary due to the additional risks. Typically, the standard testing for Covid-19 is enough to determine your treatment options. Getting treated as soon as possible is important in increasing your chance of a complete recovery.
Can I Get Tested to Confirm if I Had Covid-19 Before?
It’s possible to get tested for antibodies, as these tests are also known as “serology testing.” Antibody tests will detect any anti-viral proteins in the blood that’s created by the immune system to help neutralize Covid-19. However, the challenge of using this test is that viruses often have many different proteins, and the antibody response is different per each individual.
For example, not everyone makes the same antibodies in response to a virus, as a negative test doesn’t mean that you weren’t already exposed to Covid-19. There is also not enough medical research to determine if the antibodies will provide enough protection due to the different mutations, as the previous version of the antibodies may no longer be as effective.
These tests may also be detecting antibody responses to other viruses, as the coronavirus is just one part of a very large family of viruses.
Contact Advanced Urgent Care of Pasadena for Covid-19 Testing
Advanced Urgent Care of Pasadena offers Covid-19 testing services. You can choose from different types of tests, whether you need a rapid antigen test, antibody testing, or PCR testing. Our team will help you choose the best option to meet your needs.
Our clinic also provides many other services, such as seasonal care, X-rays, physicals, labs, STD testing, occupational health, and more.Contact Advanced Urgent Care of Pasadena today to learn more about our Covid-19 testing options.
