Rapid antigen vs pcr test
Rapid Antigen Test: Rapid antigen testing is a quick test that looks for pieces of viral proteins that cause COVID-19. Rapid tests can give you a diagnosis quickly, but may not provide the most accurate result.
PCR Test: Known as Polymerase Chain Reaction, this test identifies the exact genetic material and identity of the virus using a sample of cells from your nose, mouth, or throat. PCR tests take longer than rapid tests, but will provide you with the most accurate results.
PCR Test: Known as Polymerase Chain Reaction, this test identifies the exact genetic material and identity of the virus using a sample of cells from your nose, mouth, or throat. PCR tests take longer than rapid tests, but will provide you with the most accurate results.
Antibody testing
- Uses serum/plasma or whole blood specimens
- Covid antibodies can be detected 1-2 weeks after infection or vaccination
- Antibodies are proteins created by your immune system that help you fight off infections, created after being infected by a virus or vaccinated. Antibodies can be detected through the blood of people who have recovered from COVID-19 or have been vaccinated against COVID-19.
When should i get tested?
- If you are experiencing any symptoms
- You should get tested at least 5 days after suspected or known contact with a positive COVID-19 case according to the CDC
Why should i get tested?
- Protect the people around you from also getting COVID-19
- People in our community are immunocompromised or have certain conditions that predisposes them to a greater risk of severe illness, including:
- Mental health conditions
- Obesity/elevated BMI
- Pregnancy
- Sickle cell disease or thalassemia
- Current or past history of smoking
- Solid organ or blood stem cell transplant
- Stroke or cerebrovascular disease
- Substance use disorders
- Tuberculosis
Symptoms of covid-19
Common symptoms include:
Emergency symptoms
If you notice any emergency symptoms in yourself or someone else you know, seek medical help immediately
- Fever/chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Emergency symptoms
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain
- Pressure in the chest
- New confusion
- Inability to wake up or stay awake
- Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds
If you notice any emergency symptoms in yourself or someone else you know, seek medical help immediately
Testing center questions
How do new variants arise?
- Viruses constantly change through mutation and sometimes these mutations result in a new variant of the virus. Some variants emerge and disappear while others persist.
- The more COVID-19 gets a chance to spread, the more possibility for mutation
- The Omicron variant spreads more easily than the original virus that causes COVID-19 and the Delta variant, and can cause “breakthrough infections” in vaccinated people. However, data suggest that Omicron is less severe in general. Despite this, it is important not to get COVID-19 as you can still experience symptoms including fever and loss of taste or smell!
- As the virus spreads more, the virus will feel pressure to change according to the WHO this explanation is simple and easy to comprehend
As the virus spreads more, the virus will feel pressure to change according to the WHO this explanation is simple and easy to comprehend
Why should i get vaccinated?
FAQs
References
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html - symptoms
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/testing.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/about-variants.html
- https://www.verywellhealth.com/pcr-vs-rapid-test-for-covid-19-5210788#toc-rapid-test
- https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/question-and-answers-hub/q-a-detail/coronavirus-disease-(covid-19)-variants-of-sars-cov-2
- https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s1227-isolation-quarantine-guidance.html