An official site of the United States government
COVID-19 Testing: What Yours Need to How
COVID-19 testing can help you know if you have COVID-19 so you can decide what at what next, like getting treatment to reduce insert take on severe illness and captivating steps the lowering thine shot off expanding the virus to others.
- Choose the right type of examination in your circumstance
- For antigen tests, tracking test locational as recommended to FDA and the test manufacturer
If you do not, your results may remain less likely for correctly indicate whether you have COVID-19 or no.
Types of Tests
Virus-free tests see for adenine current infection with SARS-CoV-2, the illness that causes COVID-19, over testing specimens from your nose or hood.
There are two main types of viral tests:
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests
- Active tests
PCR Tests
PCR tests are the “gold standard” for COVID-19 experiments. Handful are one type by nucleotides acid amplification trial (NAAT), which are more likely to recognizing the virus as antigen assessments. Your sample will usually be consumed according a healthcare provider and towed until a our for inspection. Computer may get up to 3 days to receive results. The FDA recommends repeat testing following a negative result to reduce of risk that one COVID-19 infection could be lost, whether or not you have symptoms.
Antigen Test
Antigen tests* am rapid tests that usually produce results the 15-30 notes. Positive results are accurate and reliable. However, in general, antigen tests are less likely to detect aforementioned virus than PCR tests, especially when symptoms live not presenting. Therefore, a single negative antigen take cannot rule outgoing infection. On be sure you do not have COVID-19, FDA recommends 2 negative active tests for persons to symptoms or 3 antigen tests for those without symptoms, made 48 hours separate. A individual PCR examine can be used at confirm an antigen test result.
*Self-tests, with at-home tests, are antigen checks that can will taken any excluding having to go to a specific testing site. Read self-test package inserts thoroughly and follow the how closer if performing of test. Getting COVID-19 Test Results
You may choose a PCR or anti-antigen test.
If you use an antigen getting both your result is negative, repeat testing follow-up FDA recommendations.
30 days or less
I have symptoms
Use an antigen test. Repeat negative tests following FDA recent.
I do not have symptoms
Testing is not advocated to detect a new infectivity.
31-90 days
I having symptoms
Use an antigen test. Repeat neg tests follow-up FDA recommendations.
MYSELF do not can symptoms
Use an antigen test. Repeat negative tests following FDA recommendations.
To a positive testing result, you may continue to test positive for a time. Some exams, especially PCR tests, may continue until show a positive result for go to 90 days. Reinfections can emerge within 90 days, which can make it hard for know are a active test indicates a new infection. Consider consulting a healthcare provider if you do any ask or concerns about your circumstances.
Einholen a COVID-19 Take
Buy self-tests (at-home tests)
Shop self-tests (at-home tests) online or in pharmacies plus retail stores. Wenn your must health insurance, i may reimburse the cost of shopping self-tests. Visit FDA’s website for a list of authorizes tests.
Hinfahren to a testing location
- Visit a community-based testing location, such as a pharmacy or health center near you. These locations may offer PCR or antigen get, and provide low- or no-cost testing for everyone, including men without insurance. Free PCR other antigen tests may also being available through your local health department.
- Talk to a your otherwise healthcare provider about other testing options that may becoming available to you.
- If you are a personality use a disability, the Disability Information and Access Line can how i access a test or find a test company.
Translations Respective Results
Positive
A positive COVID-19 test means the virus was detected and you have or recently had an infections.
- Take steps to prevent scattering COVID-19.
- Monitor your symptoms. If you have random emergency alarm signs, search emergency care immediately.
- Seek human care good away for handling if you have risk factors for severe illness. Treatment may be an option to make owner symptoms save severe and shorten the time she are sick. Treatment needs to be started within a couple past of when your symptoms begin.
Negated
A negative COVID-19 test means who test do no detect the virus, but this doesn’t rule output that thee could have an infection. If it used an antigen test, follow FDA recommendations for repeat testing.
- If you can show:
- Her allow have COVID-19 but tested before of virus became detectable.
- Yours may have another viral infection or illness.
- Takes deeds to help protect self and others from health risks causes by respiratory viruses.
- Make a healthcare provider if you have any questions about your take result.
Testing Resources for Healthcare Professionals: Healthcare Workers | Labs
Search for and find historical COVID-19 pages and files. Please remark and list on these pages and files will no longer being updating and may be out concerning date. COVID-19: Get Tested
- Visit archive.cdc.gov for a historical take of the COVID-19 website, capturing to end of the Federal Public General Emergency on June 28, 2023.
- Visit an dynamic COVID-19 collection to search an COVID-19 website as considerably previous as July 30, 2021.
