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Where to Get Same Day Results Covid Test
May 24, 2022
We have been living with the threat of COVID (SARS-CoV-2) for almost two years now. Even though it may feel like we have been living in this pandemic for a hundred years, it is still difficult to keep up with the evolving information and guidelines.
Mask mandates are being lifted in some places, many workplaces are resuming to work in person, and schools are doing everything they can to prevent the resumption of online schooling.
In order for life to regain some of its normality, COVID precautions are necessary. We can all wear masks, wash our hands more frequently, maintain physical distances, and avoid large indoor gatherings. In addition to these practices, COVID testing has become an important tactic to slow the spread of this virus.
There is a lot of information to keep track of when it comes to testing. Some questions you may have might be:
- Will it cost money?
- Where’s the closest testing location?
- What are drive-thru or walk-in testing sites?
- Which test should I get?
- How often should I get tested?
- Should I go to urgent care?
- What is the turnaround time for covid-19 test results?
Let’s tackle these questions and figure out the best protocol around COVID testing.
Will it cost money?
We do charge for our services however you may request a superbill. A superbill is a coded receipt you may use to send to your insurance company or HSA/FSA for possible reimbursement. While we can’t make any promises, many patients that do test with us, do receive some, if not all, of their payment reimbursed from the insurance carrier.
Why Should I Get Tested?
If you are living your life in a way that reduces your potential exposure to COVID-19, you may be wondering why you should get a test. However, one of the unfortunate aspects of this virus is that it is highly transmissible and can sometimes go unnoticed. Even if you are trying to stay on top of it, you might still be vulnerable to infection.
Help Saves Lives
The symptoms of COVID can have a large range, but many of them can be extremely severe. People who suffer from trouble breathing, severe fevers, or extreme exhaustion will need attention and care as early in their infection as possible.
Suppose someone receives a positive test and immediately notifies the people they were in contact with and potentially infected. In that case, those people can receive help in a timely fashion and potentially reduce the harm done to their bodies.
Additionally, a positive test early in the illness allows individuals to isolate themselves. Once an infected person is in isolation, they cannot infect others, which will eventually save people from being affected and reduce the chances of more people becoming severely ill or dying.
Since many COVID infections are transmitted by people who are not showing any symptoms, identifying infected individuals plays a major role in stopping the spread of the virus.
Quick and Easy
Although it may seem intimidating, getting a COVID test is a quick and easy process. If you are testing to find out if you are currently infected, a health professional will take a sample from both nostrils.
The moment the health professional begins the test to the moment the test is finished is almost always under five minutes.
There are also plenty of tests available at this point in the pandemic. When the virus started spreading rapidly, it was slightly challenging to find a test during some of the most intense spikes in cases.
However, now that funding has been sourced to provide sufficient tests and more healthcare professionals are focusing their work on slowing the spread of COVID, you do not have to worry about not finding a test.
When Should I Get Tested?
Now that you know why it is crucial to get tested for COVID, you may wonder when the best time is to get tested. Some people, like Broadway performers or professional athletes, have to be tested for COVID nearly every day because of the nature of their work, but that is not sustainable for everyone. So when should you get a test?
Reduce Known Exposure
Because we are trying to resume some in-person events and practices, exposure to COVID is a realistic threat. If you have received a text, phone call, or email letting you know that you were exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID, it is your turn to get tested.
If you are fully vaccinated (meaning it has been two weeks since you received your second dose vaccine in a two-dose series or after a single-dose vaccine) should get tested approximately three to five days after exposure and wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days or until they receive a negative test result.
If you are not fully vaccinated, you should quarantine and be tested immediately. If you test negative, you should get tested again in 5–7 days after last exposure or immediately if you develop symptoms during quarantine.
Symptoms
Even if you haven’t been told that you were exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID, it is still possible to unknowingly be exposed to COVID and test positive. A clear sign of infection is becoming symptomatic.
Other potential symptoms of COVID include:
- Fever or 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
If you notice any of these symptoms, it is time to get a test. You may find out that your runny nose or cough is just symptomatic of a cold, but there is also a chance that you are infected with COVID. Knowing that your symptoms are attributed to COVID will help you stop the spread and prevent your friends and family from contracting the virus as well.
What Kinds of Tests Are There?
There is no singular type of COVID test: there are three popular choices. The best choice of test is dependent on the information you are looking for.
PCR Test
This molecular test stands for polymerase chain reaction test. This test looks for the COVID virus’s RNA. This test is collected by a health care professional inserting a swab into your nostril, nasopharynx, throat, or by simple spit - collecting saliva.
A PCR test has to be sent to our labs in order to be examined. Results can be seen in as soon as an hour or within 24-48 hours, depending on the service you choose. This test is highly sensitive, meaning it will catch almost anyone who has the disease and not generate many false-negative results.
We provide QR coded receipt of rt-PCR testing used for events, school, and travel.
Antigen (Rapid Test)
An antigen test, most commonly referred to as a “rapid test”, is more straightforward than a PCR test because it requires smaller devices that are easy to transport, which means your test does not need to be sent to a lab.
As these results can be read on-site, you will receive your results in approximately 15 minutes.
Antigen tests search for pieces of protein from the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Unlike PCR tests, these require a higher level of virus in the test sample before the test will turn positive. This means that an antigen test may cause a delay in diagnosis, but they are still regarded as having “moderate to high” reliability.
Rapid tests are extremely easy to use now that people are socializing and working together more. If you are planning to see someone, taking an antigen test the morning of the event or the night before is the perfect way to make sure you will not be spreading the virus.
We provide QR coded receipt of antigen based testing used for events, school, and travel.
Antibodies Test
The COVID-19 antibody test is a blood test you can undergo to determine if you have COVID antibodies. The test is taken through a blood draw.
You should get the antibody test if you don’t have COVID-19 symptoms, haven’t been sick in the last two weeks, and haven’t tested positive for COVID over the last two weeks. Although having antibodies does not always mean you will be immune to COVID, this test will tell you if you have had COVID in the past or not.
Where Can I Get Same Day Results?
Because of the quick return of results and comfort, it can provide for in-person gatherings. Both same day rt-PCR and Rapid Antigen tests have become extremely popular. There are a few different ways to get an tested, but the easiest way is to have a medical professional come to you!
At The I.V. Doc, we offer both rapid antigen and rapid rt-PCR tests at the convenience of your own home. If you book an appointment with us, a registered nurse (RN) will come to your home, administer your test, and provide you with results interpreted by a physician.
Book your rapid COVID test with us today!
Conclusion
Because we are all anxious to return to the aspects of our life that were taken away by COVID, testing is an essential part of our lives. It will help us keep ourselves and the people around us safe while slowing the overall spread of the virus.
Stay informed on which test is best for you and when you need to get tested. And at the end of the day, remember that a rapid COVID test is a helpful tool when returning to in-person events.
Sources:
Scientific Brief: SARS-CoV-2 Transmission | CDC
The truth about the asymptomatic spread of COVID-19 - UCHealth Today
When to be Tested for COVID-19
Yale Medicine -Which COVID-19 Test Should You Get?
