COVID Testing
On this page find information about COVID testing, types of tests and results, & what to do if you test positive.
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COVID Testing
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Getting tested for COVID-19 allows you to know if you may be infected with COVID-19 so that you can take preventative measures to protect yourself and others. If you feel that you have symptoms or have been exposed, getting a test to find out your status is the next step to helping stop the spread.
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You should get tested if any of the following apply to you:
You have COVID-19 symptoms, such as fever, cough, tiredness or shortness of breath.
You don't have symptoms but you've had close contact with someone who tests positive for the COVID-19 virus or is suspected of having the virus. Close contact means you’ve been within 6 feet (2 meters) of a person who has COVID-19. If you’ve had close contact with someone who has the COVID-19 virus, get tested at least 5 days after you’ve had contact with them.
Your doctor or other health care professional or your public health department recommends a test and you're not fully vaccinated.
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COVID testing is offered at many different places. This includes:
-Trusted community testing sites
-Public health departments
-Healthcare providers
-Pharmacies -
Yes. COVID-19 self-tests (also referred to as home tests or over-the-counter (OTC) tests) are one of many risk-reduction measures. Self-tests can be taken at home or anywhere, are easy to use, and produce rapid results. You can use self-tests, regardless of vaccination status, or whether or not you have symptoms. Follow all of the manufacturer’s instructions for performing the test. If you test positive, you should isolate and inform your healthcare provider, as well as any close contacts.
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There are 3 key steps to take while waiting for your results from a COVID-19 test:
-Stay home and monitor your health.
-Think about the people you have recently been around.
-Be on the lookout for your resultsUntil you receive a negative result, you should do your best to quarantine yourself until you can be sure that your results are negative. See below for “what to do if you test positive”.
Types Of Tests
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What does the test show?
Active COVID-19 infection.
Other names for the test?
Diagnostic test, RT-PCR or PCR Test, nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), viral test, LAMP test.
How is the sample taken?
Swabbing the nose or throat; or collecting saliva.
How long do results take?
It depends on the test location. It ranges from 5 minutes up to a week, but on average, results take 48 hours.
What are the limitations?
Some testing can be slow and expensive.
Is another test needed?
Usually not, but some POC tests may benefit from a second test for positive cases with no symptoms and negative cases with symptoms.
Can it be used for public health decisions?
The test can be used for public health decisions
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What does the test show?
Active COVID-19 infection.
Other names for the test?
Rapid diagnostic test, paper test, lateral flow test.
How is the sample taken?
Swabbing the nose.
How long do results take?
Less than an hour.
What are the limitations?
Reduced accuracy may lead to false results.
Is another test needed?
Often, particularly for positive cases with no symptoms and negative cases with symptoms. Follow this infographic for more details.
Can it be used for public health decisions?
Test can be used for public health decisions.
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What does the test show?
Past COVID-19 infection or sometimes can show immunity developed from the COVID-19 vaccine.
Other names for the test?
Serological test, blood test, serology test.
How is the sample taken?
Drawing blood.
How long do results take?
It depends on the test location. It can be 1-3 days or less than an hour.
What are the limitations?
Can’t diagnose current infection or infer immunity to COVID-19. Depending on the type of test, you may test positive after getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
Is another test needed?
Usually not.
Can it be used for Public Health Decisions?
Independently, this test cannot be used for public health decisions.
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What does the test show?
Active COVID-19 infection. (At-home tests can be a molecular or antigen test.)
Other names for the test?
Self-test, home-test, or over-the-counter (OTC) test.
How is the sample taken?
Swabbing the nose or throat.
How long do results take?
You will get results at home in less than an hour.
What are the limitations?
Reduced accuracy, self swabbing and processing the test at home may lead to false results. Test results cannot be used for official public health decisions.
Is another test needed?
Often. If you need a test result for travel purposes or to shorten or not have to quarantine, you will need another test from a health care provider or community testing site.
Can it be used for Public Health Decisions?
Independently, this test cannot be used for public health decisions.
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What does the test show?
Active COVID-19 infection.
Other names for the test?
Test-kit, home collection kit, home collection tests.
How is the sample taken?
Collecting saliva or swabbing the nose.
How long do results take?
Depending on the type of test, you will get results within 1-3 days.
What are the limitations?
Some testing can be slow and expensive. You may need to use a smartphone or computer.
Tests where sample collection is not supervised by a health care provider cannot be used for official public health decisions. DHS offers a free, supervised at-home collection kit. Request a free at-home collection kit.
Is another test needed?
Sometimes, particularly if your test is not supervised by a healthcare provider.
Can it be used for Public Health Decisions?
Independently, this test cannot be used for public health decisions.
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Laboratory
If your test is processed by a lab, the test result is likely very accurate. This is because they process the tests using sensitive, technical methods in a highly regulated environment. Tests processed by labs tend to be more time-intensive and expensive.
Point-Of-Care a.k.a. POC
If your test is a rapid test, and is processed close to where you are swabbed or at home, it may not be as accurate. This can be because of lower sensitivity of rapid technology. Less accurate tests may require a second test to make sure the results are trustworthy (for example, if a person without symptoms comes back positive).
The best method of reducing the chances of being impacted by COVID is to get a vaccine. CLICK HERE to find a provider near you.
Testing Positive
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Isolate for at least five days. You can end isolation after five full days if you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your other symptoms have improved (Loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation). Day zero is your first day of symptoms. You can also use a test-based strategy to end isolation.
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Wear a well-fitting mask around others at home and in public for five additional days after the end of your 5-day isolation period. Take additional precautions on days 6-10, such as avoiding travel and situations where you will come in contact with individuals at high risk for severe disease. If you are unable to wear a mask when around others, you should continue to isolate for 10 days.
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Contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible if you are more likely to get very sick because of being an older adult or having underlying medical conditions or if your symptoms get worse.
Also, talk to your healthcare provider or local health department to find out how long to isolate if you:
-Are severely ill with COVID-19 or have a weakened immune system;
-Had a positive test result followed by a negative result; or
-Test positive for many weeks after the initial result. -
If you test positive, even if you’re not experiencing symptoms, it’s good to drink fluids, get rest, and take care of your health.
Keep wearing your mask, washing your hands, watching your distance, and getting tested when necessary.
Information on this page are sourced from the Centers for Disease Control, Medical College of Wisconsin, and Johns Hopkins Medicine.