Originally published on June 28, 2020 in https://cityofhideaway.org/docs-corner/f/covid-19-viral-testing-info
What you need to know about COVID-19 viral testing
Texas has set up multiple COVID-19 viral testing sites across the state in an effort to reduce the spread of the virus. With new cases in Hideaway and the availability of free testing in Tyler on certain days, please make sure you arm yourself with knowledge before you get tested.
It is vital to understand that a negative test does NOT mean you can carry on as usual with people not in your household. Here’s some important info to know about testing:
- Viral tests check samples from your respiratory system, such as from the inside of your nose, to tell you if you are currently infected with the virus.
- Some tests are run directly at the testing site and results might be available in less than an hour. Other tests need to be sent to a lab and results can take 1–2 days to return.
- If you have symptoms of COVID-19 and want to get tested, call your doctor first and stay home until you hear from them. If you have severe symptoms, go immediately to the hospital and inform your doctor’s office. Symptoms include fever, chills, cough, nasal congestion, sore throat, headache, loss of taste or smell, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
- If you think you may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, but do not have symptoms, then you can get tested directly.
- If you were identified as a close contact of someone with confirmed COVID-19, you will be contacted by the health department for further testing instructions.
- If you test positive for COVID-19, you will be contacted by the health department and instructed to follow guidelines set by CDC.
- If you test negative for COVID-19, it could mean one of the following:
- You did not have COVID-19 at the time of testing.
- You might test negative if the sample was collected early in your infection and test positive later during your illness. This means you could still spread the virus.
- You could be exposed to COVID-19 after the test and get infected then.
- If you develop symptoms later, you might need another test to determine if you are infected with COVID-19.
- If you have symptoms but your test is negative, your doctor might still diagnose you with COVID-19 based on clinical judgement and ask you to follow all guidelines for a COVID-19 positive person.
- Regardless of your test result you must continue to wash your hands, clean high-touch surfaces frequently, social distance to 6 feet with people not in your household and wear cloth face coverings when social distancing is not possible.
Ref: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/testing/diagnostic-testing.html
Sue Royappa, MD, MPH