Information about COVID-19 Testing
What kinds of COVID-19 tests are available?
There are two types of COVID-19 tests:
PCR Tests are most likely to detect the virus. A healthcare professional will collect your sample and send it to a laboratory for testing. It may take up to 3 days to get a result.
Antigen tests are rapid tests that you can do at home and usually have a result within 15-30 minutes. Although positive antigen tests are reliable, antigen tests are less likely to detect the virus, especially when symptoms are not present. Therefore, the FDA recommends 2 negative antigen tests performed 48 hours apart for individuals with symptoms or 3 antigen tests for those without symptoms, to be sure that you do not have COVID-19.
When should I be tested for COVID-19?
If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you should test right away. If you are only going to take a single test, a PCR test will provide a more reliable negative test result. If you use an antigen test, a positive result is reliable, but a negative test may not always be accurate. If your antigen test is negative, take another antigen test after 48 hours or take a PCR test as soon as you can.
If you have been exposed to COVID-19, but do not have symptoms, you should wait at least 5 full days after exposure to test. Again, if you are only going to take a single test, a PCR test will provide a more reliable negative test result. If you use an antigen test, a positive result is reliable, but a negative test is not always accurate. Therefore, if your antigen test is negative, take another antigen test after 48 hours or take a PCR test as soon as you can. If your second antigen test is also negative, wait another 48 hours and test a third time.
Testing for COVID-19 infection can also be done to verify that you are not infected such as before an event or visiting someone at higher risk for severe COVID-19. Test as close to the time of the event as possible (at least within 1-2 days) to help you make informed decisions about your health and your risk of spreading COVID-19 to others. If you use an antigen test, follow recommendations for repeat testing to be sure of a negative result.
Where can I be tested for COVID-19?
The Department of Health and Human Services maintains a list, organized by state, of health centers and pharmacies in the community where patients can be tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection. The list includes links to state public health departments. State and local health departments may have additional options for testing, including drive-up clinics. Medical offices, urgent care facilities, and hospital outpatient clinics may also offer testing services in your community.
What should I do if my test is positive for COVID-19?
Any positive COVID-19 test means the virus was detected and you have or recently had an infection. You should isolate and take precautions according to the current CDC guidelines (Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19 | CDC).
Monitor your symptoms. If you have any emergency warning signs (e.g., difficulty breathing, chest pain, confusion), seek emergency care immediately.
Contact a healthcare provider, community health center, or pharmacy to learn about treatment options that may be available to you. Treatment generally must be started within 5 days of noting symptoms to be effective. You are more likely to get very sick if you are an older adult or have an underlying medical condition and treatment is recommended for these groups.
What should I do if my test is negative for COVID-19?
A negative COVID-19 test means the test did not detect the virus, but this doesn’t rule out that you could have an infection. If you used an antigen test, follow FDA recommendations for repeat testing. If you have symptoms, you may have COVID-19 but tested before the virus was detectable. Also consider that you may have a different viral infection or illness that you need to get tested for, such as the flu.
If you do not have symptoms but were exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19, you should continue to take recommended steps after exposure for up to 10 days to prevent spreading an illness to others.
If you do not have symptoms and have not been exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19, you may return to normal activities.
What else should I know about antigen home tests?
You can obtain free tests in the US from the federal government at COVID.gov - Free at-home COVID-19 tests.
If you currently have an antigen test that is near or after the package expiration date, be sure to check At-Home OTC COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests | FDA as many products have extended expiration dates and are safe to use for longer periods of time.
Summary
Pharmacists are medication experts and the most accessible healthcare providers. They also administer vaccines and conduct health and wellness screenings. Pharmacists can also provide information and answer questions about the different types of available COVID-19 tests.