COVID-19 Testing

Just a quick note about COVID-19 testing.

Currently there are two basic tests for COVID-19. There is a nasal or oral swab and blood tests.

The nasal swab is looking for the SARS-CoV-2 RNA. This figure from LabCorp shows a rapid rise, peak in about a week, and decline after 2 weeks. Some people remain positive longer. Symptoms can certainly last much longer. This test is specific for COVID-19 and a prior other coronavirus infection (cold etc) WILL NOT MAKE THIS POSITIVE.

Currently, we have a rapid test taking about 15 minutes or the LabCorp test taking 2-3 days for results. Recently, it was up to 9 days. Both the rapid and lab tests are good to say positive but false negatives are common.

The blood test is looking for antibodies. They rise slower and last longer. Permanent immunity IS NOT GUARANTEED. This test can have false positives from prior other coronavirus infections (colds etc) and SHOULD NOT be used to diagnose current or past COVID-19 infection. Yet.

There are times where we may order testing that doesn’t follow the above basic information depending on the situation.

Wear Wait and Wash