What if I’m tested for COVID-19?

People often have questions related to COVID-19 testing and the process behind it. Testing is a crucial part of treating and limiting the spread.

Symptoms of COVID-19 may appear between two and 14 days after exposure, and the Northeast Colorado Health Department recommends that anyone with symptoms should get tested.

There are three kinds of tests available for COVID-19: PCR, antigen and antibody tests.

A PCR test, also known as a molecular-based test, tells you if you have a current infection but it is not useful in determining past exposure in fully recovered patients. Samples are collected from your respiratory system, such as a nasal or a saliva sample, to see if you are currently infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

An antigen test is similar to a rapid flu test. While antigen tests can be less expensive and offer quicker results, they are not as sensitive as PCR tests. This means that a PCR test might be needed to confirm a negative antigen test.

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