You’ll likely see a more apparent line on the test strip next time.ĭon’t forget: a negative at-home test needs to be followed up with another test (either a PCR test right away or another at-home antigen test in about 48 hours). If you’re unclear about your test result, isolate and repeat the test in six to 12 hours. (Even if it’s a faint line on the test strip, you should consider yourself infected and isolate.) You don’t need to confirm with a PCR test. If you’re taking an at-home COVID-19 test, consider any positive result to mean you have COVID-19. The FDA does not recommend relying on any home test after the updated authorized expiration date. Check here to see if the date has been extended. Yours may be still valid after the expiration date. Researchers continue to test the stability of at-home COVID-19 tests. Wear a mask around others and avoid contact with any immunocompromised or unvaccinated individuals. If you have any symptoms after being exposed to someone with COVID-19, you should assume you have been infected. If you are exposed but don’t have COVID-19 symptoms, using these tests before gathering with someone unvaccinated or immunocompromised will reduce (but not eliminate) the risk of spreading COVID-19. If you’ve been exposed but don’t have symptoms: While you’re waiting for your second test’s results, you should keep wearing your mask and avoid contact with other people. In this case, get a more sensitive PCR test or repeat your home antigen test according to the manufacturer’s instructions (usually 48 hours after the first test). But if you have symptoms and you test negative, don’t rule out COVID-19 just yet. You don’t need to get another test to confirm the results. If you have COVID-19 symptoms and test positive on an at-home test, you have COVID-19. But you need to know when and how to use these tests. When should I use an at-home test?Ī rapid, at-home antigen test is a useful tool to have in your COVID-19 arsenal. Regardless of where you get them, consider storing a few extras at home for when you need one. From time to time, the government also offers free tests you can order through the U.S. Home antigen tests are available at most pharmacies and big-box stores as well as online retailers. If you’re unsure how to access in-person COVID-19 tests, you can contact your insurance company or your primary care doctor. However, most in-person testing will now be charged to your insurance. In Chicago, use this site to find a free testing location convenient for you. There are still some free testing sites available. While they’re considered the gold standard for a COVID-19 diagnosis, PCR tests are unnecessary for those who have already tested positive on an antigen test. PCR tests are far more sensitive than antigen tests and can pick up COVID-19 earlier and stay positive for longer. If you have symptoms of COVID-19 and your rapid test is negative, you should repeat the test according to the manufacturer’s instructions (usually 48 hours after the first test) or find a PCR test, which is more sensitive and usually done in-person at a doctor’s office or pharmacy. Trust a positive antigen test, but be more skeptical about a negative one. But a negative antigen test doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t have COVID-19. Rapid antigen tests detect COVID-19 when people have a higher amount of virus particles in their system and are more contagious. Rapid antigen tests – which you can buy in most pharmacies, big box stores and online retailers, are an excellent choice – but you may need to take multiple tests. Individuals with minor symptoms can go on to have complications related to COVID-19, so it’s important to know if you have the virus. People who are unvaccinated or immunocompromised may still get severe disease. Know that even if you have minor symptoms, you are still contagious. COVID might resemble a mild cold, especially in fully vaccinated people. Symptoms may include sniffles, congestion or a cough. It’s still a good idea to isolate and get a COVID-19 test if you have any cold symptoms, even if they’re mild and even if you’re fully vaccinated. When there’s an uptick in cases, you might be wondering when to get tested and the best kind of test to use.Īs an infectious diseases expert and a hospital epidemiologist, here's what you should know about when to get a COVID-19 test, what kind you should use, what to do if you can't access one and why it's still important to get vaccinated. But at-home tests remain readily available. Gone are the days of COVID testing centers on every corner. Now that COVID-19 is regularly circulating through communities, it’s hard to know if you should take a COVID test every time you have a sniffle.
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