It has been more than a year since COVID-19 was first discovered and the fear of contracting the virus is still prevalent. Not unlike the average winter cold, the wide array of varying symptoms means that no one can be really sure that they are COVID-19 free until they take one of the many available testing products on the market. There might even be an urge to simply take COVID-19 tests as often as possible to make sure that you are on top of any possible exposures you might have.
However, even though access to tests have improved, it is important not to obsessively test yourself. Read on to find out why.
Symptoms of COVID-19
There are many symptoms of COVID-19 including, but not limited to:
Fever
Breathlessness
Nausea and vomiting
Headaches
Loss of smell or taste
Pneumonia
Chest pressure or pain
People who test positive will experience a range of symptoms – some being completely asymptomatic to others having to fight for their lives in an intensive care unit. The severity and relevance of your symptoms will also contribute to whether or not you should get tested for COVID-19.
Testing Capabilities
The most important thing to note is that a negative test does not mean that you are free to party without fear and a positive test does not mean that you should panic and immediately drive down to your nearest emergency room. Different tests test for different things and will also be affected by how long it has been since you have been exposed to and infected by the virus.
The two most common types of tests are the antigen tests and the antibodies test. The antigen tests measure the amount of live COVID-19 virus that are picked up in the sample and determine if your current infection status. This would suggest that if you test negative, you should be able to heave a sigh of relief. However, healthcare professionals are uncertain of the ability of these tests to accurate diagnose individuals who are asymptomatic. In their case, a negative test could just as easily be because the swab did not pick up viral cells or it is too early since your point of exposure.
On the other hand, an antibody test tests for antibodies that the body has built up to fight the virus. However, it takes at least one to two weeks before antibodies are developed against a viral infection. This means that before that timeframe, any negative tests may be unreliable solely because your body has not developed enough resistance. On the other hand, antibodies last long after the virus has been eradicated from your body. This means that a positive test may not be indicative of a present virus infection but rather that you have already encountered and overcame the COVID-19 virus.
So, before you decide to take a test, it is important to figure out what test you are taking and what the results could mean. Something even more crucial to consider is the efficacy and reliability of the tests that you are taking. Here at Linear Dx, we provide extensive testing services that are designed to provide higher quality care at a reasonable cost. Our rapid diagnostic testing solutions were created to serve our global community and meet testing needs. If you have any questions regarding which type of test best suits you, contact us today!
