Anyone who is experiencing symptoms or has come into contact with someone who is experiencing symptoms should get tested. If you believe you have been exposed to the virus, you should get tested immediately. Additionally, if you are caring for someone susceptible to illnesses, such as elderly people or people with pre-existing conditions, you should be tested regularly, as symptoms do not always appear in carriers. People that do not have symptoms that have been exposed to the virus can still spread it to others. If you work in the food industry or another industry with a high-volume of customers, you should get tested regularly.

If you test positive for COVID-19, or get sick after you are exposed to someone with COVID-19, you can help stop the spread of COVID-19 to others.

Symptoms of COVID-19 — Common symptoms are fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Other symptoms may include chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and new loss of taste or smell. If you were exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 and you have these symptoms, you might have COVID-19. Contact your healthcare provider for a COVID-19 test.

Participate in a public health interview — An interviewer from public health will contact you by phone if you test positive for COVID-19. The interviewer will help you understand what to do next and what support is available. The interviewer will ask for the names and contact information of people you have had close contact with recently. They ask for this information so they can notify people who may have been exposed. The interviewer will not share your name with your close contacts.

Stay home except to get medical care — You should stay home except to get medical care. Do not go to work, school, or to any public areas. Avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis. Ask friends or family members to do your shopping or use a grocery delivery service.

Call before you go to the doctor — Tell your health care provider you have COVID-19, or are being evaluated for COVID-19. Be sure to put on a face mask or face covering before entering the building. These steps will help keep people in the office or waiting room from getting sick.

Isolate yourself from people and animals in your home — As much as possible, stay in a specific room away from other people and use a separate bathroom if available. Limit contact with pets and other animals. If at all possible, have a member of your household care for them. If you must care for an animal, wear a face covering and wash your hands before and after you interact with them.

There are two main types of tests – diagnostic and antibody.

– Diagnostic tests can show if you have an active coronavirus infection. Presently, there are two types of diagnostic tests which detect coronavirus – molecular tests, which detect the virus’s genetic material, and antigen tests, which detect specific proteins on the surface of the virus.
– Antibody tests look for antibodies that are made by your immune system in response to a threat, such as a specific virus. Antibodies can help fight infections. After you have an infection, antibodies can take several days or weeks to develop and may stay in your blood for several weeks or more after recovery. Due to this limitation, antibody tests should not be used to diagnose an active coronavirus infection. Researchers currently do not know if the presence of antibodies means that you are immune to the coronavirus in the future.

If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19, please contact our office today to get in touch with a specialist. To book an appointment, call us or visit us online.