Coronavirus, or COVID-19, is a viral infection that is spread from person to person through respiratory secretions. For example, every time an infected person breathes or coughs, they release particles into the air that can then be breathed in by others and infect them. Due to this, COVID-19 is highly contagious and can be easily spread, especially when people are in close proximity for an extended period of time. The symptoms of a COVID-19 infection can range from a fever and cough to severe respiratory distress.

The CDC offers the following advice about getting a COVID-19 test. If you have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, or you live in a community where there is an ongoing spread of COVID-19, and you develop symptoms, you should call your healthcare provider and inform them of your symptoms and exposure. Your doctor will be able to determine if you need to be tested. However, it’s important to keep in mind that there is no treatment for COVID-19, and those who are only mildly ill are usually able to isolate and care for themselves at home. If your doctor determines that you meet the requirements to be tested, make sure you wear a mask, cover your coughs and sneezes, and frequently clean your hands when you leave your home for the test. Seek emergency care if you experience severe pain, shortness of breath, or chest pain.

The FDA provides an independent review of medical products, like testing methods, medications, and medical devices. When something is deemed “FDA authorized,” it means the FDA has approved it for its intended use. During a crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic, we have an urgent need for products to diagnose, treat, or prevent the spread of the virus. In these situations, the FDA can authorize testing in a few different ways, giving their approval of the testing method. They can grant authorization in the following manners:

• Emergency Use Authorization (EUA): In certain urgent health situations, the FDA can issue an emergency use authorization, or EUA, of a product that will help contain or stop the current problem. The EUA process is different from full approval in that it can be given without full evidence because there is no time to wait for it all. The FDA uses the available evidence to balance the risks and benefits and determine if the product or method should be approved.
• Lab Developed Test (LDT): A lab-developed test is a diagnostic test developed by and used within a single laboratory. The FDA is providing flexibility to labs to use their own tests during the COVID-19 pandemic. The agency will approve LDTs in cases where the lab validates the test, notifies the FDA, and submits the validation data to the FDA as part of an EUA request.
• State Authorization: The FDA also gives flexibility to states who wish to authorize labs within the state to develop and perform coronavirus testing. In these situations, the state or territory takes responsibility for the safety and accuracy of the tests.

If you have been tested once for COVID-19, our facility will not test you again unless you develop additional or worsening symptoms, have persistent symptoms, or experience another exposure. Instead, you will need to contact your doctor or another facility that can accommodate routine or repeat testing. If you have previously tested positive and have been quarantining at home, you do not need a second test to determine if it is safe for you to be around others. Rather, you can follow the CDC guidelines for ending home isolation. It’s safe to be around others ten days after the symptoms first appeared, as long as you have gone a full 24 hours with no fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and your other symptoms are improving.

A COVID-19 viral test is used to determine if you have a current infection. This can be determined using either an antigen detection test or a viral molecular detection test. An antigen detection test is looking for viral antigens that develop on the surface of cells when infected with the virus. If the antigens are present in the tissue sample, it proves the person has a current infection. On the other hand, a viral molecular detection test is looking for the virus’s genetic material (DNA or RNA). If the genetic material of COVID-19 is found in the sample, it shows that the person has a current COVID-19 infection.

A COVID-19 antibody test is used to determine if you were previously infected. In order to fight off the virus, your body produces antibodies that remain in your system after you’ve overcome the infection. If you have antibodies present in your blood sample, it likely means you had the virus at an earlier time. Antibody tests usually cannot show if you have a current infection, as it takes your body a week or more to produce antibodies. It is currently unknown if having the antibodies to the virus will protect you from becoming infected with the virus again or how long the protection lasts.

Most people who become infected with coronavirus develop only mild symptoms. However, there are some who are at higher risk for developing severe complications, which means they and their families need to take extra caution. Those who are at the highest risk for developing serious symptoms include:

• Anyone over the age of 65
• Pregnant women
• Patients with weak immune systems
• Individuals with chronic medical conditions such as obesity, lung disease, moderate to severe asthma, diabetes, hypertension, heart conditions, liver disease, cancer, and kidney disease