Stay separated if you have any signs, even if you can not rapidly get a COVID-19 test.
If somebody has COVID-19, but hasnt yet reached the tests threshold of viral particles, they may still evaluate unfavorable with an antigen test but favorable on a PCR test. If you cant get in for a PCR test rapidly, its suggested to duplicate the antigen test the following day, being sure to separate until you get your PCR test and results. If youre taking an at-home COVID-19 test, consider any positive result to mean you have COVID-19. If youre unclear about what your test result says, isolate and repeat the test in 6 to 12 hours.
These consist of when to get a COVID-19 test, what kind you must utilize, what to do if you cant get one at all, and why its still important to get immunized and increased.
Assoc. Prof. Emily Landon. Credit: UChicago Medicine
Q: When should I get a COVID-19 test?
Isolate and get a COVID-19 test if you have any symptoms of COVID-19, even if theyre mild and even if youre fully vaccinated and/or improved. Symptoms might include sniffles, congestion or a cough, and may look like a moderate cold, specifically in completely immunized and enhanced people.
Even if you have small symptoms, you are still contagious. Individuals who are unvaccinated or immunocompromised may still get severe disease. Stay isolated if you have any signs, even if you can not quickly get a COVID-19 test.
Q: How are fast antigen tests different from PCR tests? Is one much better than another?
Rapid antigen tests identify COVID-19 when individuals have a higher amount of virus particles in their system and are more contagious. If someone has COVID-19, however hasnt yet reached the tests threshold of viral particles, they might still evaluate unfavorable with an antigen test but favorable on a PCR test.
PCR tests, which are still primarily done at healthcare facilities and other screening centers instead of at home, are even more sensitive than antigen tests. Theyre able to identify smaller sized quantities of the virus and find them sooner (and for more time) than antigen tests.
While theyre thought about the gold standard for a COVID-19 medical diagnosis, PCR tests are unnecessary for those who have currently evaluated positive on an antigen test. Thats important to called wait times for PCR tests grow due to increased need.
In brief: any favorable test counts as a favorable, however an unfavorable antigen test requires to be confirmed with a PCR test.
Q: When should I utilize an at-home test?
A quick, at-home antigen test is an useful tool to have in your COVID-19 arsenal. You need to understand when and how to use these tests.
If you have signs:
If you have COVID-19 symptoms and test positive on an at-home test, you have COVID-19. You dont require to get another test to verify the outcomes.
But if you have symptoms and you check negative, you need to not dismiss COVID-19 right now. In this case, we suggest getting a more sensitive PCR test. If you cant get in for a PCR test rapidly, its advised to duplicate the antigen test the following day, making certain to separate until you get your PCR test and results. Isolate for 10 days if you cant get a PCR test at all.
If you do not have signs:
For those without COVID-19 symptoms, using these tests before an event will reduce (but not eliminate) the threat that somebody going to has COVID-19. Remember: antigen test outcomes can change rapidly, and a negative outcome is truly just trustworthy for eight to 12 hours.
In other words, you shouldnt rely on a negative test in the early morning if you desire to get together in the evening with buddies or family. Make certain everybody whos going to an occasion utilizes an at-home test as close as possible to the time theyre gathering and understands that an unfavorable test doesnt ensure security or entirely avoid exposure.
If youve had a recognized COVID-19 direct exposure, no test is going to make it safe for you to gather unmasked with high-risk individuals. Stay at home.
Q: How do I translate at-home tests?
If youre taking an at-home COVID-19 test, think about any favorable result to indicate you have COVID-19. You dont require to validate with a PCR test. (Even if its an incredibly faint line, you should consider yourself infected and isolate.) If youre unclear about what your test outcome says, isolate and repeat the test in six to 12 hours. Youll likely see a clearer line on the test strip next time.
Dont forget: a negative at-home test is only trustworthy for eight to 12 hours and still doesnt ensure youre COVID-free. You need to get a PCR test if you have symptoms.
Q: What should I do if I cant get a COVID-19 test?
Offered the widespread transmission of the Omicron variation, if you have signs, you should presume you are infected with COVID-19, regardless of your vaccination status. Separate for the quantity of time thats suggested by the health department.
An unfavorable antigen test does not necessarily imply you arent contagious.
Q: What should I do if Ive been exposed?
If youve been exposed, however have no symptoms and you are fully vaccinated and increased, you do not require to quarantine. You must get a test on Day 4, 5, or 6 following your direct exposure.
If youve been exposed and are immunized however not boosted, you need to quarantine for five days after an exposure and use masks for another five days after that. You are still at high threat of infection, particularly from the rapidly spreading out Omicron variant. You should wear a mask around other individuals, and get tested 4 to 6 days after the direct exposure and anytime you establish signs. Prevent events and do your best to limit contact with people who are immunocompromised or who are unvaccinated.
If youve been exposed, have no symptoms, but are NOT vaccinated, stay house and quarantine for 5 days. Youll need to use a mask for another 5 days after that.
Q: Im vaccinated and improved. Why did I still get COVID-19?
COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are hugely important. Individuals can still get infected when theyre completely vaccinated and increased.
COVID-19 infections in fully vaccinated individuals are called advancement infections, which usually result in milder signs versus infections in the unvaccinated. If you are immunocompromised and have a breakthrough infection, you must call your physician even if you only have moderate symptoms.
Unvaccinated individuals do not have existing antibodies or memory B cells or T cells waiting to eliminate off COVID-19, so they need to start their immune action from scratch if they become contaminated. Infections generally trigger more damage to their organs and tissues, which can result in complications like having low oxygen levels, along with problems with the lungs, kidney and heart. Unvaccinated individuals are also much more most likely to need intensive care support or have actually remaining symptoms referred to as long COVID-19.
Q: If I have a development infection after my COVID-19 vaccine, will I still be contagious for the exact same amount of time?
Theres a good quantity of evidence showing most fully vaccinated and improved individuals with advancement infections are both less infectious, and infectious for a much shorter time. Theyre likewise more most likely to get mild infections.
Q: Can I report my positive at-home test results to public health officials?
At-home antigen test results are not typically reported to public health firms, nor are they typically consisted of in main case tallies. This means statistics are significantly under-reported. In some neighborhoods, regional health departments are setting up portals for individuals to self-report at-home results, but youll require to examine to see whats offered in your location.
The most essential thing to do is remain home and isolate. If you have certain health conditions– specifically if youre immunocompromised– call your medical professional ASAP so they know your medical diagnosis.
Q: When can I get the new medicine thats gotten emergency situation usage permission to combat or avoid COVID-19?
Even so, these treatments will be exceptionally limited at. They will first be dispersed by public health companies and will only be readily available to the highest-risk patients.
If you are a transplant recipient, have a primary immunodeficiency, take immunosuppressive medication, or are going through active chemotherapy, and you test favorable for COVID-19, you need to contact your medical professional immediately to see if any of these treatments are available to you.
Q: Do COVID-19 booster shots provide added defense versus the Omicron variation?
A: Boosters use the best protection from catching Covid, but they arent best. Scientists are still collecting information on the effectiveness of vaccines against Omicron, however existing information reveal individuals who are vaccinated and improved have additional protection and are less likely to be hospitalized than those who are unvaccinated. Learn more about booster shots and 3rd doses here: What to understand about booster shots and 3rd doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Q&A with UChicago infectious illness expert Emily Landon
As the very transmittable Omicron variant of COVID-19 rises around the country, you need to understand what sort of tests to require to protect yourself and your community.
Emily Landon, infectious illness professional and executive medical director for infection prevention and control at University of Chicago Medicine, answers typical concerns about COVID-19 tests.
