But it is a fast and easy way to test yourself as soon as you have symptoms or at least five days after you've been exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19. Antigen tests are not as reliable as the test done in a lab. Some of these tests require a prescription, but some, called antigen tests, are available without a prescription. If you're coughing up sputum, that may be sent for testing.Īt-home tests for COVID-19 are available at many pharmacies. The samples are then sent to a lab for testing.
Corona virus symptoms timeline professional#
To test for the COVID-19 virus, a health care professional takes a sample from the nose (nasopharyngeal swab), throat (throat swab) or saliva. If you've been fully vaccinated and you've had close contact with someone with COVID-19, get tested five days after you've had contact with that person. If you have had close contact with someone with COVID-19 but you've had COVID-19 in the past month, you don't need to be tested. You also may be tested if you are at higher risk of serious illness or you are going to have a medical procedure.
In the U.S., your health care team will determine whether to conduct tests for the virus that causes COVID-19 based on your symptoms, as well as whether you have had close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19. Depending on your location, you may need to be screened by your clinic to determine if testing is appropriate and available. Factors used to decide whether to test you for the virus that causes COVID-19 may differ depending on where you live.
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