If you feel like you are having a medical emergency, please call 9-1-1.
If you are experiencing severe trouble breathing; continuous pain or pressure in your chest; feeling confused; having difficulty waking up or staying awake; pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds; or any other emergency signs or symptoms, please seek immediate medical care.
This test checks for antibodies to COVID-19. If you've been exposed to COVID-19 or vaccinated, your body produces antibodies as part of your immune response. The test provides a numerical value that indicates whether or not you may have antibodies to COVID-19.
This test may be right for you if you:
If you have been previously diagnosed or suspect you've been exposed to COVID-19, you should wait to get an antibody test until it has been at least 10 days after your symptoms started or after testing positive, you have not had a fever or felt feverish for 24 hours without taking fever-reducing medication, and any symptoms have improved. Current research shows that it may be best to get antibody testing 3 to 4 weeks after symptom onset or known exposure to COVID-19 to lower the chance of receiving a false positive or false negative result. Talk to your healthcare provider for more information about whether or not you should get tested.
This test may NOT be right for you if you:
An antibody test will show whether or not you have developed antibodies to COVID-19 after exposure or vaccination. This test cannot tell you if you have an active infection. If you suspect you have COVID-19, follow up with your healthcare provider about getting a PCR test. This test should not be used to determine the level of immunity you have. You should contact your healthcare provider for additional guidance on how to interpret your test results. Regardless of your test results, it is important to continue to follow public health recommendations, such as vaccination, physical distancing, use of masks and face coverings, hand hygiene, and isolation and quarantine.
False negative results can sometimes occur. This can happen if you get an antibody test too soon after being exposed or vaccinated and your body has not yet made enough antibodies to be detected by the test. Additionally, some individuals, such as those with weakened immune systems due to a medical condition or certain medications, may not develop detectable levels of antibodies after exposure or vaccination.
False positive results can also occur. This can happen if the test detects antibodies from other coronaviruses you may have been exposed to, like the virus that causes the common cold.
If you are concerned about your results, it is important to follow up with a healthcare provider, who can evaluate your medical history.
Antibody testing can play a critical role in the fight against COVID-19. It can help identify individuals who may have been exposed to COVID-19 and have developed an immune response. Using antibody tests and clinical follow-up can also provide more information on immunity against COVID-19 for research and medical developments for the virus.
Having antibodies usually gives immunity from further infection. However, there is not enough evidence at this time to suggest that people who have these antibodies are protected against future COVID-19 infection. Experience with other viruses suggests that individuals who have antibodies may be able to resume work and other daily activities in society, as long as they are recovered and not currently infected with the virus.
This test is conducted by collecting a blood sample (such as from a finger prick or needle draw).
You do not need to do anything to prepare for the test. You do not need to fast or stop taking any medications before testing. Further instructions will be provided to you at the lab or in your test kit.
Please note: The antibody tests and the molecular tests (together referred to as "tests") have not been cleared or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
On an individual level, an antibody test looks for antibodies in the blood. Your immune system makes antibody proteins to help fight infections. If you were exposed to COVID-19, an antibody test will show whether or not you've developed antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. An antibody test cannot tell you whether you have a current COVID-19 infection.
On a population level, antibody testing can give researchers a sense of how many people have been exposed to and infected by COVID-19. In the future, antibody testing may show whether someone has immunity against COVID-19, meaning that they cannot get infected again. If antibodies make people immune to COVID-19, it can help inform leaders and public health officials about whether the population has reached herd immunity. Herd immunity is when a large percentage of a population has become immune to COVID-19, which can protect those people who are not immune.
There are three different types of antibodies: IgM, IgG, and IgA.
There is not enough evidence at this time to suggest that people who have these antibodies are protected against future COVID-19 infections. Additionally, antibody testing by itself should not be used to establish the presence or absence of COVID-19 infection or reinfection. Visit the CDC website for further information.
Based on the most current research, antibodies develop around 1 to 3 weeks after infection from COVID-19. However, this varies by individual, and some people may take a longer time to develop antibodies.
All COVID-19 antibody tests look for antibodies in the blood specific to the virus. There are antibody tests that look for one specific antibody (such as an IgG test). Other antibody tests look for the presence of multiple antibodies (such as a total antibody test). Both types of tests are helpful when trying to check if you have been exposed to the virus. At this time there is no advantage in checking for one antibody versus another. IgM and IgG antibodies are most useful when checking for past exposure to COVID-19. The CDC does not recommend testing for IgA antibodies.
Antibody tests do not show whether a person is currently infected. A molecular (PCR) test is a more reliable indicator of current COVID-19 infection.
Antibody testing by itself should not be used to establish the presence or absence of COVID-19 infection or reinfection. Individuals might get tested too early before antibodies develop, and some individuals never develop detectable antibodies following infection. Additionally, having antibodies may indicate a previous infection and may be unrelated to the current illness.
A semi-quantitative antibody test can help identify individuals who have developed an immune response after exposure to COVID-19 or vaccination. However, it should not be used to determine the level of immunity you have. However, evidence is still being collected to determine if antibodies provide protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) specifically. Follow up with your healthcare provider for additional guidance on how to interpret your test results.
This test provides a numerical value that helps determine whether or not you have antibodies at the time of testing. However, it is still unknown whether or not it is useful to track antibody levels over time. Follow up with your healthcare provider for additional guidance on how to interpret your test results.
If you're having symptoms of COVID-19, contact your healthcare provider or local health department to get tested for active infection. The antibody test can only tell you if you've been exposed and have developed an immune response, but it cannot say whether you have an active infection.
Getting an antibody test too soon after being infected may cause a false negative result. It usually takes around 1 to 3 weeks after being infected with COVID-19 for your body to produce enough antibodies to be detected in the blood. However, current research shows it may be best to wait 3 to 4 weeks after infection to get tested for antibodies. Some people may take even longer to develop antibodies or may not develop enough antibodies to be detected by the test. It is recommended that you contact your healthcare provider or local health department to see if retesting is needed.
If your test results show that you're positive for COVID-19 antibodies in the blood, it means you've likely been exposed to COVID-19. Although having antibodies usually gives immunity from further infection, there is not enough evidence at this time to suggest that people who have these antibodies are protected against future COVID-19 infections.
False positives occur when a person tests positive even though they DO NOT have the antibodies for COVID-19. There is a small chance that the result could be a false positive. Manufacturers must demonstrate a high specificity of approximately 99% to 100% to ensure validation of their test. If you have additional questions, please contact the lab directly for more information.
Some studies have shown that individuals with more severe symptoms develop higher antibody levels. However, although having antibodies usually gives immunity from future infection, there is not enough evidence at this time to suggest that people who have higher amounts of these antibodies are better protected against future COVID-19 infections.
You can have antibodies from an asymptomatic COVID-19 infection. An asymptomatic infection is when you are infected but do not show any symptoms.
It usually takes 1 to 3 weeks for antibodies to be detected in your blood. Because antibodies develop over time, it's possible that your antibody levels can change depending on when you tested.
It usually takes 1 to 3 weeks for antibodies to be detected in your blood. Because antibodies develop over time, it's possible that your antibody levels can change depending on when you tested. However, this varies by individual. Talk with your healthcare provider or local health department about your results to see if retesting is advised.
If your test result is indeterminate for COVID-19 antibodies in the blood, this means that the results were neither positive nor negative. You will likely need to be retested in order to confirm whether or not you have antibodies in the blood. An indeterminate result can happen if you do not have enough antibodies in your blood for the test to detect, such as if you test too soon after becoming infected. This result can also happen if there was a problem with your sample or the test itself.
At this time, there is no test that can tell you when to stop social distancing or isolating. Be sure to check with your healthcare provider about next steps and continue to follow federal, state, and local government guidance regarding social distancing and COVID-19 safety precautions. You should also use caution or avoid visiting at-risk individuals like those above the age of 65 or with pre-existing medical conditions.
People who have fully recovered from COVID-19 and have antibodies are encouraged to consider donating plasma. You must be completely recovered from symptoms for at least 14 days prior to donation. If you have additional questions, please contact the donation center directly for more information.
At this time there is no recommendation to get an antibody test to check your immune status. As your body develops an immune response from the vaccine, you may test positive on some antibody tests. Antibody tests indicate you may have been previously exposed to the virus. Experts are currently looking at how COVID-19 vaccination may affect antibody testing results.
PWNHealth only uses COVID-19 tests that have received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). These authorized tests minimize the chance of inaccurate, false positive, or false negative results. The FDA has found that tests that meet certain standards are of superior quality and have high sensitivity and specificity* (measurements of accuracy).
PWNHealth will not use tests that have been shown to have low sensitivity and specificity. For additional information, please reach out to the lab directly.
* Actual sensitivity and specificity may vary between test manufacturers. A sample that is not properly collected may also result in an inaccurate result.
An antibody test checks to see if you've developed antibodies against COVID-19, which occurs after being exposed to the virus. Antibody tests do not show whether a person is currently infected.
PCR tests check for genetic material (viral RNA) produced by the virus. It determines if you're currently infected and can spread COVID-19 to others.
You should get an antibody test if you've been previously exposed or believe you've been exposed to COVID-19 and want to see if you have developed antibodies.
You should get a PCR test if you think you have an active COVID-19 infection
Visit the CDC website for more information.
If you're currently having symptoms of COVID-19 or have recently been exposed, you should get a PCR test to see if you're currently infected.
Antibody tests do not show whether a person is currently infected. Therefore, they should not be used in place of a PCR test to diagnose a current infection.
Antibody tests can complement PCR tests by providing information about exposure and how the immune system responds to COVID-19 infections.
There is no test that can tell you when you can visit someone who is at risk for more severe symptoms of COVID-19. Check with your primary healthcare provider or local health department to help determine when the time is right to make such visits. Be sure to continue to follow federal, state, and local government guidance regarding social distancing and COVID-19 safety precautions.
The FDA has the authority to grant Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to diagnostic tests that have not yet received formal approval in times of a public health emergency. The FDA has granted EUA for certain tests during the COVID-19 pandemic to help detect or diagnose COVID-19.
Like full FDA approval, EUA relies on strict standards. However, EUA is completed more quickly based on the limited data that is available, unlike full FDA approval.
For more information, please visit the FDA website.
The antibody tests and the molecular tests (together referred to as "tests") have not been cleared or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA);
The FDA has authorized the use of some tests by certain laboratories under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA);
The antibody tests have been authorized for the detection of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 only, and not for the detection of any other viruses or pathogens;
The molecular (PCR) tests have been authorized for the detection of nucleic acid from SARS-CoV-2 only, and not for the detection of any other viruses or pathogens; and,
Tests are only authorized for as long as the circumstances exist to justify the authorization of emergency use of in vitro diagnostics for detection and/or diagnosis of COVID-19 under Section 564(b)(1) of the Act, 21 U.S.C. § 360bbb-3(b)(1), unless the authorization is terminated or revoked sooner.
Sensitivity and specificity are different and complementary measures to inform doctors and patients about the accuracy of a test. A good test has both high sensitivity and high specificity.
Sensitivity is a measure of how well a test is able to detect people who are infected (positive cases). If a person has an infection, a test with 100% sensitivity can accurately detect it with a positive result.
Specificity is a measure of how well a test can detect people who are NOT infected (negative cases). If a person does not have an infection, a test with 100% specificity can accurately detect it with a negative result.
A positive result that is incorrect is called a false positive. False positives occur when a person tests positive even though they do not have the infection.
A negative result that is incorrect is called a false negative. False negatives occur when a person tests negative even though they do have the infection.
False negatives and positives can worsen the COVID-19 pandemic by providing false reassurance to those who have the infection or by causing those who do not have it to use critical resources.
Coronavirus disease (also called COVID-19) is an infection caused by SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus), one of the most recently discovered types of coronaviruses. Those who have this disease may or may not experience symptoms, which range from mild to severe.
COVID-19 spreads easily from person-to-person, even when an infected person is not showing symptoms. When an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, droplets containing the virus go into the air. These droplets can be inhaled or land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby, exposing them to the virus. These droplets may stay in the air for minutes to hours after an infected person has left that space and can infect others who are more than 6 feet away. This type of spread is called "airborne transmission".
People may also be exposed to COVID-19 by touching their eyes, nose, or mouth after touching a surface with the virus on it. Although this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads, researchers are still learning more about COVID-19.
Symptoms may appear 2 to 14 days after being exposed to the virus. The most common symptoms include:
Cases of COVID-19 range from mild to severe. Some people who are infected don't have any symptoms and don't feel sick. Most people have mild symptoms. Visit the CDC website for more information about symptoms.
Most people recover from COVID-19 within two weeks, but some people continue to experience symptoms (like loss of taste or smell) for weeks or even months after recovery. This varies from person-to-person. In cases where symptoms persist, it is not clear how long they may last. Researchers are still learning more about the course of the disease. For more information, talk to your healthcare provider or visit the CDC website.
The most commonly reported long-term symptoms include but are not limited to fatigue, shortness of breath, cough, joint pain, and chest pain. Other symptoms include difficulty focusing, depression, muscle pain, headache, occasional fevers, and fast-beating or pounding heart. At this time, researchers are still learning more about the long-term effects of the disease.
Severe cases are more likely to occur in the following people:
It is important to note that serious illness can also occur in young, healthy adults. If you have questions about your risk, talk to your healthcare provider. For more information, you can also visit the CDC website.
COVID-19 is very contagious. The risk of getting COVID-19 depends on many factors, including close contact with people who have symptoms of COVID-19. It is important to follow your federal, state, and local government guidance to protect yourself from exposure.
Not all people with COVID-19 will require medical attention or treatment, and most recover within two weeks.
For mild cases, treatment focuses on managing symptoms. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized several antibody therapies (also referred to as monoclonal antibodies) for use in people who are at high risk for being hospitalized or developing severe illness.
For more information, visit the FDA website. If you're experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, be sure to follow up with your healthcare provider about your treatment options.
The best way to protect yourself is to avoid situations in which you may be exposed to the virus. Everyday actions can help protect you and prevent the spread of respiratory diseases such as COVID-19.
If you believe you may have COVID-19 or test positive for COVID-19 and have mild symptoms, the following steps can help prevent the disease from spreading to others:
If you think you have been exposed, it is important to closely monitor for symptoms. Seek medical attention immediately if you develop severe symptoms, especially if you experience:
If you seek medical attention, be sure to call ahead before visiting the facility. This will help the facility keep other people from possibly getting infected or exposed.
Social distancing, also called "physical distancing," means keeping space between yourself and other people outside of your home. It includes:
Social distancing is one of the best ways to avoid being exposed and to help slow the spread of the virus. It is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
Be sure to continue to follow federal, state, and local government guidance regarding social distancing.
Even if you have COVID-19, it's possible to not give it to your loved ones if you take certain precautions. For example, you and your child should wear face coverings whenever you're in the same room together. Depending on your child's age, you should also:
If your child develops symptoms, contact their healthcare provider for guidance, and follow steps for caring for someone who is sick. See the CDC website for more details on how you can help prevent your child from getting sick.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends wearing face masks in public settings (like grocery stores and pharmacies) where social distancing is difficult. This is intended to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Face coverings can be bought or made from household items or common materials (such as fabrics, old scarves, bandanas, hand towels, old t-shirts, etc.).
Face masks should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, is unconscious, or is unable to remove the mask without assistance.
If you are fully vaccinated, you should wear a mask in public indoor settings if you're in an area where COVID-19 is spreading rapidly. Masks are especially important if you or someone in your household is at increased risk for getting very sick from COVID-19, or if someone in your household is unvaccinated. Continue to wear masks as required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.
Visit the CDC website for more information.
Cases of reinfection have been reported but are rare. Reinfection occurs when a person gets sick, recovers, and then later becomes infected again. Whether an individual may be reinfected is still under investigation. A positive PCR test result during the 90 days after illness started is most likely from the initial infection rather than reinfection. Visit the CDC website for further information.
It's possible to become infected with COVID-19 after vaccination. This can be due to the timing of the vaccination and infection. It typically takes a few weeks for the body to produce antibodies. So it's possible that a person could be infected with COVID-19 just before or just after vaccination, and then get sick because the vaccine did not have enough time to provide protection. It's important to note that no vaccines are 100% effective. There may be a small percentage of fully vaccinated people who still get sick with COVID-19, even after producing antibodies. However, evidence suggests that vaccination may make illness less severe.
Prolonged viral shedding is what happens when parts of a virus are detectable in a person for a period of time even after they've recovered from an illness. For some individuals who had or have COVID-19, the virus may be in their test samples for up to 3 months. Retesting during this time period is not recommended. However, if an individual starts having symptoms consistent with COVID-19 during this period and other illnesses are ruled out, a healthcare provider or infectious disease expert may consider additional testing. The best available evidence suggests that most individuals who have recovered are likely no longer infectious, but there is not enough evidence at this time to confirm this. If you have questions, contact your healthcare provider for additional information.
There are many things to think about when it comes to traveling during this pandemic. Unfortunately, travel increases the risk of getting and spreading COVID-19. The best way to protect yourself and others is to stay home and delay any travel plans you may have. However, if you are planning on taking a trip, there are certain steps you can take to ensure the safety and health of yourself and those around you.
If you decide to take a trip and travel outside your community, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for information on travel considerations. In addition, you'll want to look at state and local travel restrictions as well as state, territorial, tribal and local public health websites for information before traveling.
If you're feeling sick or have been around someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 14 days, you should not travel. You may also want to consider whether you or someone you live with is at increased risk of getting very sick from COVID-19. For example, if you or someone you live with has underlying health conditions and/or is older in age, you may want to avoid traveling if you can.
Airports, buses, trains, and rest stops are all examples of places where people can be exposed to the virus in the air and on surfaces. Since using public transportation can put you in close contact with others, it often becomes hard to practice social distancing. This makes it very important to take steps to protect yourself and others while using public transportation. Some steps you can take include:
Additionally, it is recommended that you check with the transportation company frequently for any service or operational changes. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for more resources and guidance on using public transportation.
There are several things to consider if you need to travel and book an overnight stay at a hotel:
COVID-19 risk in most countries is high. You should avoid nonessential travel to high-risk destinations, especially if you or someone you live with is at increased risk for severe illness. You can also check the COVID-19 risk level of specific destinations with this resource.
If you do choose to travel internationally, you may want to consider that some healthcare systems are overwhelmed, and there may be limited access to adequate medical care in affected areas. Many countries are also implementing travel restrictions and mandatory quarantines, closing borders, and prohibiting non-citizens from entry with little advance notice.
Keep in mind that if you choose to travel internationally, your travel plans may be disrupted in several ways. If you get sick or are exposed to a person with COVID-19 during your trip, you may be isolated or quarantined and your return to the United States may be delayed. Check with the Office of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Health, or the US Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Country Information page for more details.
Because viruses may change over time, there are now different variants of the virus that causes COVID-19. The new variants may spread more easily and quickly, which can lead to more COVID-19 cases. We are still learning more about these new variants. It is important to continue to follow public health recommendations, such as vaccination, physical distancing, use of masks, hand hygiene, and isolation and quarantine, to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has shown that there is a higher burden of illness and death from COVID-19 among certain racial and ethnic minority groups. Based on data from New York City, Black and Hispanic people have more cases of COVID-19, as well as higher rates of hospitalization and death due to COVID-19 than White and Asian people. More studies are underway to confirm this data and reduce the impact of COVID-19 on these communities.
Whether or not you get infected with COVID-19 depends on a number of factors. The good news is that you can control many of these factors. Visit the CDC website for more information.
Recent data suggests that COVID-19 has a greater impact on certain racial and ethnic minority groups. Health differences are often due to social and economic conditions. In public health emergencies, these conditions can isolate people from the resources they need to prepare for and respond to outbreaks.
Some conditions contribute to a higher risk of getting sick with COVID-19 for certain racial and ethnic minority groups. These conditions include:
Researchers as well as state and federal governments are currently monitoring the number of COVID-19 cases, complications, and deaths in minority groups, which will help improve the management of patients, distribution of resources, and public health information.
Additionally, there are many resources available within the community, such as free and low-cost health services, grocery delivery services, and educational materials. Please contact your healthcare provider or local health department for more information.
The best way to protect yourself is to avoid situations in which you may be exposed to the virus. If you or someone you care for is at higher risk of getting sick with COVID-19, take steps to protect them, as well as yourself, from getting sick. These steps include:
COVID-19 can affect pregnant women as well as nonpregnant women. There is not enough evidence at this time to suggest that pregnant women have a higher risk of getting COVID-19. However, studies show that pregnant women may have a higher risk of developing more severe illness. There may also be an increased risk of issues during pregnancy, such as premature birth.
If you're pregnant and think you may have COVID-19, you should contact your healthcare provider to discuss next steps in your care. If you're in labor and think you have COVID-19, call ahead and notify your hospital or birthing center prior to your arrival so that the healthcare professionals at the facility can take proper precautions to protect you, workers, and other patients.
Recent research suggests that breast milk isn't likely to spread the virus to babies. However, it's best to contact your healthcare provider in order to determine if you should continue breastfeeding. You should also take the following precautions during your period of home isolation:
Your child is considered a close contact and should quarantine for the duration of your home isolation and for 14 days afterwards, as recommended by the CDC, unless otherwise specified. In some situations, this time period may be shorter than 14 days. For more information, see the CDC website.
Hospitals and birthing centers should implement proper disease control practices to help control and prevent the spread of COVID-19. Practices should include testing pregnant women or women who have recently given birth who develop symptoms of COVID-19 while in the hospital. These healthcare facilities should limit the number of visitors to pregnant women or women who have recently given birth who have or are suspected of having COVID-19. Visitors should also be screened for symptoms of COVID-19 prior to entry.
Based on limited data at this time, people with HIV who are on effective HIV treatment have the same risk for COVID-19 infection as people who do not have HIV.
Older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions might be at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19. This includes people who have weakened immune systems. Individuals with HIV are at greater risk of getting very sick if they have a low CD4 cell count or are not on effective HIV treatment.
The best way to prevent getting sick is to avoid exposure to the virus. If you have HIV, it's important to continue taking your HIV medicine and follow the advice of your healthcare provider. You should also eat a healthy diet, get enough sleep, and reduce your stress as much as possible. Staying healthy helps your immune system fight off infection. To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, you should also take these everyday preventive actions.
People with HIV have higher rates of certain underlying health conditions. These conditions, as well as older age, can increase the risk for more severe illness if people with HIV get COVID-19. This is especially true for people with advanced HIV.
In addition to following the same recommended safety precautions as everyone else, people with HIV should also take the following steps:
COVID-19 and seasonal allergies do share some of the same symptoms, which may make it difficult to tell the difference between the two. However, COVID-19 can cause fever and chills, muscle aches, new loss of taste or smell, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, whereas seasonal allergies usually don't. Seasonal allergies can cause itchy or watery eyes and sneezing, whereas COVID-19 usually doesn't. If you have any questions about any of your symptoms, be sure to follow up with your healthcare provider. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for more information.
If you have moderate-to-severe asthma, you may be at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19. The virus could cause an asthma attack and possibly lead to pneumonia or acute respiratory disease. But there are steps you can take to protect yourself. These steps include:
Some disinfectants can trigger an asthma attack. To reduce the chance of an asthma attack while disinfecting to prevent COVID-19, you can try the following tips:
If you have been exposed to COVID-19, you should quarantine and monitor your symptoms to see if you get sick.
If you have symptoms or have tested positive for COVID-19, you should isolate so that you do not pass the virus to others.
If you think you may have been exposed or test positive for COVID-19, it is very important to stay home and limit your interaction with others in your household and in public as much as possible. Stay at least six feet apart from others and avoid having any unnecessary visitors, especially people who are at high risk of severe illness.
If you have previously tested positive for COVID-19, you don't need to quarantine or get tested again for up to three months, as long as you don't develop symptoms. Additionally, you don't need to quarantine if you have been vaccinated, it's been two weeks since your last dose, and you don't have symptoms. However, you should get tested within 3-5 days of exposure and wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days after exposure or until you receive a negative test result.
If you have questions about whether or not you should quarantine, contact your healthcare provider.
If you believe you have symptoms of COVID-19 or that you have been exposed to the virus, you should consult your place of work for specific guidance about whether to stay home or continue working. You should adhere to recommendations set forth by your employer or the department of health, as they may differ from the CDC's guidelines.
Visit the CDC website for more information.
Isolation and quarantine are both ways to limit your interaction with others to prevent the spread of disease.
If you believe you have symptoms of COVID-19 or that you have been exposed to the virus, you should consult your place of work for specific guidance about whether to stay home or continue working. You should adhere to recommendations set forth by your employer or the department of health, as they may differ from the CDC's guidelines.
If someone in your household is told to quarantine because they've been exposed to COVID-19, you should quarantine as well. This is especially true if you've been in close contact with that person. It's possible for you to have the virus even if you don't have symptoms.
You don't need to quarantine if you've had COVID-19 in the last three months, have recovered, and do not have symptoms. Additionally, you don't need to quarantine if you have been vaccinated, it's been two weeks since your last dose, and you do not have symptoms. However, you should get tested within 3-5 days of exposure and wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days after exposure or until you receive a negative test result.
If you have questions about whether or not you should quarantine, contact your healthcare provider.
Visit the CDC website for more information.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines recommend considering different factors when deciding to stop isolation or quarantine:
Please note that it's possible for a person diagnosed with COVID-19 to stop isolation before someone possibly exposed can stop quarantining.
Anyone who may have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 should quarantine. Close contact includes:
People who have tested positive for COVID-19 do not need to quarantine or get tested again for up to three months, as long as they do not develop symptoms.
Anyone who has been vaccinated does not need to quarantine after being exposed to someone with COVID-19 if they:
Otherwise, they should continue to follow quarantine guidance.
Depending on where you're going, you may need to quarantine at your destination if there are entry requirements and restrictions. Be sure to check state, territorial, tribal and local public health websites for more information on travel quarantines. International travelers should check with the Office of Foreign Affairs or Ministry of Health or the US Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Country Information page for more details.
If you've been exposed to COVID-19, you should quarantine for 14 days. This period begins from the last close contact you had with someone who has COVID-19, even if you test negative for COVID-19 or feel healthy. Although 14 days is recommended, the CDC suggests that some individuals may be able to quarantine for a shorter period of time. Individuals without symptoms can end quarantine at day 10 without testing, or at day 7 if they receive a negative test result on day 5 or later. The length of time to quarantine may be decided by your state or local department of health. You should adhere to recommendations set forth by the department of health, as they may differ from the CDC's guidelines.
If you live in a household where you cannot avoid close contact with the person who has COVID-19, you should quarantine immediately. You will need to continue to quarantine for 14 days after the person meets criteria to end home isolation, as recommended by the CDC, unless otherwise specified. In some situations, this time period may be shorter than 14 days.
For additional questions about when to start or stop quarantine, be sure to contact your healthcare provider.
If you are fully vaccinated, you do not need to quarantine after being around someone with COVID-19. However, you should get tested within 3-5 days of exposure and wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days after exposure or until you receive a negative test result. People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their last dose. If it has not been two weeks since your last dose, you should continue to follow quarantine guidelines.
If you've been diagnosed with COVID-19, please check with your primary healthcare provider or local health department to help determine when it's right to stop isolation. Typically this is done when fever and symptoms improve and 10 days have passed since symptoms started. Some symptoms, such as loss of taste or smell, may last for weeks or months and should not delay ending isolation. If you do not have symptoms, you may be able to stop isolating 10 days after your test was performed. Be sure to continue to follow federal, state, and local government guidance regarding social distancing and isolation. For more information, please visit the CDC website.
In all states except NY, NJ, and RI. Regulations in these 3 states don't allow people to order lab tests online.
You must be at least 18 years old.
No. We do not accept health insurance. This helps us keep our prices low. We do accept HSA and FSA cards.
No. One of our own doctors will order the tests for you. The lab order is included in our pricing. If you already have a lab order from your doctor, you can order the same tests from us and give the results to your doctor.
The lab order is valid for 6 months. You can get tested whenever you want during that time.
We use Quest Diagnostics labs to do the blood draw and to process the tests. You can go to any of 2,300 Quest Diagnostics locations all over United States. Use our lab locator to find a Quest Diagnostics lab near you.
We send your lab order to the lab electronically as soon as you pay, 24/7. We also give you a copy of the lab order online. You can go to the lab immediately after you pay.
Immediately, unless your test requires fasting. No appointment is necessary.
No. Appointments are not required. Our labs are walk-in.
We will send your lab order to the lab electronically. So they will have it in their system under your name when you come in. We will also give you a copy of lab order online, so you can print it out or bring it on your phone, just in case.
No. Your order is fully pre-paid. This includes the lab order and the tests. There are no hidden charges. The lab will not ask you to pay for anything.
We will email you as soon as we get the results from Quest. The email will include a link to download the results as a PDF. The results will always be available under your account on our website.
Yes. To share results with your doctor, we recommend that you print out the report and bring it with you to the doctor's appointment. You can also email or fax the results to your doctor. Our report is identical to what doctor receives from Quest Diagnostics when the doctor orders the tests for you.
Only if you ask us to. Your results are completely confidential. You can share them how and when you wish, it is your choice.
Yes. The testing and the results are completely confidential. We will not give any information to your doctor, insurance or family unless you ask us to. We will not mail anything to your house, we do everything online.
Call us at (702) 935-0035