COVID-19 Testing

Viral tests look for a current infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, by testing specimens from your nose or mouth. There are two main types of viral tests: nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs, such as PCR tests) and antigen tests. Henry Mayo Newhall Urgent Care offers both COVID -19 rapid antigen and PCR testing.

• NAATs, such as PCR-based tests, are most often performed in a laboratory. They are typically the most reliable tests for people with or without symptoms. These tests detect viral genetic material, which may stay in your body for up to 90 days after you test positive. Therefore, you should not use a NAAT if you have tested positive in the last 90 days.
• Antigen tests are rapid tests which produce results in 15-30 minutes. They are less reliable than NAATs, especially for people who do not have symptoms. A single, negative antigen test result does not rule out infection. To best detect infection, a negative antigen test should be repeated at least 48 hours apart (known as serial testing). Sometimes a follow-up NAAT may be recommended to confirm an antigen test result.

Interpreting Your Results

If Your COVID-19 Test is Positive

Any positive COVID-19 test means the virus was detected and you have an infection.

• Isolate and take precautions including wearing a high-quality mask to protect others from getting infected.
• Tell people you had recent contact with that they may have been exposed.
• Monitor your symptoms. If you have any emergency warning signs, seek emergency care immediately.
• Consider contacting a healthcare provider, community health center, or pharmacy to learn about treatment options that may be available to you. Treatment must be started within several days after you first develop symptoms to be effective.
  • You are more likely to get very sick if you are an older adult or have an underlying medical condition. Possible treatment may be available for you.

If Your COVID-19 Test is Negative

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 have symptoms:

1. You may have COVID-19, but tested before the virus was detectable, or you may have another illness.
2. Take general public health precautions to prevent spreading an illness to others.
3. Contact a healthcare provider if you have any questions about your test result or if your symptoms worsen.

• 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.
• If you do not have symptoms and you have not been exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19, you may return to normal activities. o Continue to take steps to protect yourself and others, including monitoring for symptoms. Get tested again if symptoms appear.