Options: PCR Test 24-48 hr), Rapid Antigen Test (15 min), Antibody Test (24-48 hr)
The Coronavirus, also known as Covid-19, is an infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2, which stands for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus. It is a new strain of the larger Coronavirus family which in the past has been the cause of similar outbreaks such as the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, or MERS, but is also behind the common cold.
In reality, Covid-19 is only the most recent discovered kinds of coronavirus, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe.
Coronavirus is transmitted when it is ejected into the air through coughing or sneezing and can enter the human body by way of the mucus membranes in the eyes, nose, and mouth.
Coronavirus symptoms typically show up between 2-14 days after being exposed to the virus.
Symptoms of Coronavirus/Covid-19 can include the following:
These symptoms can present between 2 and 14 days of exposure to the virus. Older adults and those with serious underlying medical conditions such as diabetes or lung disease may be at a higher risk of developing more serious complications due to Covid-19.
Unfortunately, the symptoms for Covid-19 are much the same as those for the average flu. The only way to know for certain which you may have is to test positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
The nasal swab test is performed to detect a current active COVID-19 viral infection. This standard viral PCR lab test determines if you are currently infected with COVID-19. The results are available within 24 hours.
Antibody tests can help reveal past exposure by detecting antibodies in the blood, which are produced in response to a specific infection like COVID-19. Antibody blood testing can be performed via rapid testing of IgM/IgG antibody with a finger prick blood test. While not yet approved by the FDA, it is approved for point-of-care use by physicians. This is a quick prick blood test, similar to a diabetes blood sugar test, performed under the surveillance of a physician. A minuscule amount of blood will be taken from your finger and placed in the kit to compare it to a sample blood test. The results are available within 10 minutes.
The antibody blood test can determine if you have had the virus previously based on whether your immune system has created antibodies to it. Testing positive for the antibodies may mean you have developed some immunity to the virus, but how much and for how long is still uncertain.
The 15-minute Covid-19 antigen test is a nasal swab test that detects certain proteins which can indicate if you have had a past Covid infection or are currently infected. It is believed that these antigens are present in nasal secretions as soon as you become symptomatic. With the 15-minute antigen test, you will be able to know right away if you need to isolate yourself.
Conventional IgG antibody lab testing is also available through Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp, which involves a blood draw (1 vial of blood) that is sent to Quest or Labcorp laboratories for analysis and testing. The results are available within 48 hours.
Common Covid-19 Questions
According to the CDC, coronavirus will take hours or even days to die on surfaces and objects. The virus will not survive this long when exposed to warmth and sunlight. Normal cleaning using soap and water is usually enough to remove the virus from surfaces.
According to the FDA, use of antibiotics don't work against this or any virus; rather, antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections. Covid-19 is a virus, not a bacteria. In the event that you develop a bacterial infection caused by Covid-19 such as pneumonia, a healthcare professional may prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection.
Should I get tested for Covid-19?
If you are experiencing the symptoms of Covid-19, or if you are a healthcare worker, or if you live or work in a place where people regularly reside or gather in close proximity, you should seriously consider taking an in-home Covid-19 test. At-risk places can include homeless shelters, group homes, prisons, assisted living facilities, workplaces, and schools.
Anyone exhibiting any of these symptoms should seek immediate medical care:
While you can order a Coronavirus test kit and perform it yourself, why not let a trained medical professional come to you and do it, especially given the serious nature of the virus and everything a positive test result can mean?
Let our highly-skilled doctor come to your house to perform a Covid-19 test and avoid the long waits and possible expose.
Disclaimer
Detection of IgG antibodies may indicate exposure to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). It usually takes at least 10 days after symptom onset for IgG to reach detectable levels. An IgG positive result may suggest an immune response to a primary infection with SARS-CoV-2, but the relationship between IgG positivity and immunity to SARS-CoV-2 has not yet been firmly established. Antibody tests have not been shown to definitively diagnose or exclude SARS-CoV-2 infection. Diagnosis of COVID-19 is made by detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA by molecular testing methods, consistent with a patient's clinical findings.
This test has not been reviewed by the FDA. Negative results do not rule out SARS-CoV-2 infection particularly in those who have been in contact with the virus. Follow-up testing with a molecular diagnostic should be considered to rule out infection in these individuals. Results from antibody testing should not be used as the sole basis to diagnose or exclude SARS-CoV-2 infection or to inform infection status. Positive results could also be due to past or present infection with non-SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus strains, such as Coronavirus, HKU1, NL63, OC43, or 229E. This test is not to be used for the screening of donated blood.