Viral COVID-19 Test
A viral test is a nasal swab test that looks for evidence of an active infection. If you are experiencing upper respiratory symptoms consistent with those of COVID-19 (cough, fever, body aches, fatigue, recent loss of taste), a PCR or antigen test can determine if you have coronavirus. A PCR test checks for the virus’s genetic material, while an antigen test looks for specific proteins on a virus’s surface. We offer both, with the rapid producing results in as little as 15 minutes while the nasal PCR results usually return within 1-3 days.
COVID-19 Antibody Test
Antibody blood tests, also called serologic blood tests, check for the presence of antibodies to coronavirus in the blood. It can be used to detect a past infection IgG or an active infection IgM. IgM and IgG are immunoglobulins produced by the immune system to protect against COVID-19. The level of IgM antibody begins to rise 1 week after the initial infection, while the rise in IgG usually appears after 14 days. Elevated IgG levels can last for months or years.
Understanding COVID-19
COVID-19 is a virus that primarily spreads through airborne respiratory droplets, close contact, and contaminated surfaces. Most cases of COVID-19 range from mild illness although there have been reported cases of severe infection that requires hospitalization. There is no treatment for COVID-19, other than supportive care and with the vaccine now available we hope numbers will decline.
COVID-19 Symptoms
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- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fever
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell