Ways To Get Tested For COVID-19

1. Molecular Diagnostic Tests:

- Considered the gold standard diagnostic test

- Detects the presence of viral genetic material in a sample

- Health- care workers will insert a 6-inch long swab into the back of the nasal passage and rotate the swab for 15 seconds and then repeated in the other nostril

- The swab is then sent to a lab for testing

- Results can take anywhere between a few hours to a few days, but new diagnostic tests promises results in less than an hour

- If tested positive, there is an active COVID-19 infection, but it does not rule out bacterial infections or co-infections with other viruses

2. Antigen Diagnostic Tests:

- Newest diagnostic test and is cheaper to make

- Detects specific proteins on the surface of the virus

- Antigen test samples are collected the same way as molecular, but the swab is placed in a tube of chemicals to expose the proteins and then placed into the testing device

- Produces results in about 15 minutes

- Although faster than molecular tests, there is a greater chance for a false negative result

- If your test comes back positive, it is very likely that you have the virus; however, if it is negative, you should confirm the result with a molecular test

3. Antibody (Serological) Tests:

- Can identify people who were infected and have recovered

- Rely on detecting antibodies in a blood sample, usually obtained through a finger prick or blood draw

- Typically much faster than standard molecular tests (1-2 days on average)

- The body can take several days to weeks for antibodies to develop in response to the virus, so the test may not be as useful in identifying a current infection

- The American Medical Association cautioned that these tests should not be used to determine if people should discontinue social distancing or return to work