By identifying persons who have the virus and allowing treatment or isolation, effective testing is critical to slowing its spread. Additionally, testing is necessary to discover more about how a virus spreads and how widespread it is in a particular area.
However, health authorities must also take care to conduct their testing as efficiently as possible for these reasons. To put it another way, in light of the fact that testing supplies are still in limited supply, it is imperative that only those who are most in need get this service.
A COVID-19 test should be administered to everyone suspected of having the virus
As per the latest findings on viral transmission, CDC guidelines have been updated. COVID-19 testing is now recommended for all asymptomatic individuals who have been exposed to someone who has a confirmed case of COVID-19, as well as for those who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.
This recommendation supports testing of asymptomatic people, particularly those who have been in close contact with someone who has a proven SARS-CoV-2 infection, because of the importance of asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic transmission.
Professional physicians make it clear that if you haven’t been exposed to the virus and don’t have any symptoms of COVID-19, you don’t require a test. If you’re about to have a medical procedure at a hospital or doctor’s office, your healthcare practitioner is likely to present you with specific instructions.
COVID-19 test results are typically available within a few weeks
It all depends on the situation. Patients may be able to get test results within 24 hours, according to Dr. Rubin. It might take up to two weeks, though, if the test is delivered to the wrong location. It’s another one of those COVID-19 annoyances.
How soon after exposure should you get tested for COVID-19?
Of course, no one-size-fits-all steps will response to this question in COVID-19. Many people who get the virus will test positive three to five days after infection; the CDC says the virus has a median incubation duration of four to five days.
Incubation may last anywhere from two to fourteen days, according to the CDC. That’s roughly how long it takes to develop symptoms on average.
The day following a possible exposure, if you get tested, you have a very good probability of receiving a negative result even if you have been infected.
There is a wide variation in waiting periods depending on where you reside since wait times vary not just across cities and states but between systems. Wait times might vary widely even within the same city.
While some individuals may only have to wait a few minutes, others may have to wait for hours or even weeks to get an appointment to have a test done.
Which COVID-19 exam should you take?
Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has authorized two primary kinds of at-home testing (FDA).
Among the most frequent is an antigen test, which identifies particular proteins (antigens) linked to the SARS-COV-2 virus. As an additional option, genetic material may be detected using molecular assays.
Deep-throat saliva, oropharyngeal/middle turbinate, and nasopharyngeal test swabs are all compatible with the resolute 2.0 direct PCR test kits.