CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19) PATIENT TESTING

Two kinds of testing are used: COVID-19 PCR tests and antibody tests. The PCR test indicates if you have a current infection, while the antibody test indicates if you had a previous infection. These tests are administered according to CDC guidelines.

COVID-19 nasopharyngeal swab testing occurs when a health care provider determines that symptoms are such that testing is warranted. For example, testing may be ordered if you are exhibiting signs of fever with a temperature greater than 100 degrees, a new cough (within the last day or two) or shortness of breath that is not due to allergies or a chronic condition, and you are concerned that you may have been exposed to COVID-19. Testing also could occur to investigate something detected during a screening.

Testing involves checking a sample from your respiratory system by swabbing beyond the nose into the pharynx. It can take 1-2 days to receive results from the lab. 

COVID-19 antibody testing (or serology testing) is used primarily for epidemiologic purposes to help determine how much of the U.S. population has been infected. Antibodies can be found in the blood of people who are tested after infection and can indicate if people have had an immune response to the infection.

We use antibody testing to identify potential convalescent plasma donors and support epidemiologic studies. This form of testing should not be used to diagnose COVID-19 or assess protective immunity.