Two kinds of tests are available for
COVID-19: viral tests and antibody tests.
- A viral test tells if someone has a
current infection. It is obtained by collecting a nasopharyngeal specimen (e.g., nasal, oropharyngeal) with a swab.
Neck breathers should be tested in two
locations: by collecting a nasopharyngeal specimen as well as a stomal specimen. Click to see the American Academy of Otolaryngology recommendations.
- An antibody test is obtained by getting a blood sample. It tells if a person had a previous infection.
Those whose viral test is positive and
are sick or take care of someone need to take protective steps.
A negative viral test result only means
that the person tested did not have COVID-19 at the time of testing. If the viral
test is positive or negative for COVID-19, the person tested still should take
preventive measures to protect themselves and others.
An antibody test may not be able to show
if a person has a current infection, because it can take 1-3 weeks after
infection to make antibodies. Currently it is not know if having antibodies to
the virus can protect someone from getting infected with the virus again, or
how long that protection might last.
CDC has guidance for who should be
tested, but decisions about testing are made by state and local health
departments or healthcare providers.
Diagnostic swabbing for COVID-19
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