Everything You Need to Know About Preferred Urgent Care COVID-19 Testing

In 2020, the world became plagued by the Coronavirus pandemic. We may not realize that the Coronavirus is not a new virus but has been around for a few years. The term Coronavirus is a big family of viruses that came cause the common cold in people. The new (novel) Coronavirus disease was discovered in 2019 hence the name COVID-19. This Coronavirus causes severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). The virus can also be transmitted through direct contact with respiratory secretions from an infected person or by touching contaminated surfaces or objects.

This new Coronavirus was discovered on June 12, 2019. It has been classified as a pandemic virus by the World Health Organization.

The COVID-19 virus can cause respiratory problems and death, especially in people with compromised immunity. It is contagious and crucial to get tested in a COVID-19 testing urgent care near you if you have been in contact with an infected person.

What Are the Symptoms of COVID-19?

Coronavirus symptoms manifest differently in every person— some report mild symptoms while others experience severe illness. The symptoms occur between two and 14 days after exposure to the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. The signs of Coronavirus infection include fever, chills, fatigue, headache, sore throat, and loss of smell or taste. Children and people with preexisting medical conditions may be at risk of developing complications after COVID-19 infection. These Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 symptoms are mild and can clear without treatment. However, if you experience shortness of breath and chest pains, you need to seek urgent care near you immediately.

How Is Coronavirus Sars-Cov-2 Tested?

Viral tests are used to check the infection of COVID-19 using a specimen from the nose and mouth. These tests can be done at the testing site, laboratory, or home.

  • PCR test

PCR stands for Polymerase Chain Reaction test. PCR is a method of detecting and amplifying tiny amounts of D.N.A. or R.N.A. molecules. In the case of SARS-CoV-2, a PCR test is used to detect the presence of viruses in samples that could not be tested with other methods.

PCR tests can be specific to certain viruses or used for all kinds of nucleic acid sequences.

A positive PCR test may indicate you have the Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 even if you don’t have symptoms. If you are negative, it may indicate you did not have the infection when the specimen was taken. It is, however, possible to have a COVID-19 even with a negative test. This can happen if you were exposed to the Coronavirus, but the infection has not manifested yet. W.H.O. recommends waiting for 14 days before getting another COVID-19 test.

  • Rapid Antigen Test

Rapid Antigen Test is a test that can detect Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. It is a simple, rapid, and inexpensive test that can be done in about 15 minutes. This test has been designed to be easy to use and fast enough for use in emergency settings or people seeking immediate travel.

  • Antibody tests

Antibody tests are blood tests that assess the antibodies in the blood. These antibodies are produced when a person is exposed to a specific antigen, a substance that can trigger an immune response.

The antibody test does not detect a current infection but checks if you have had COVID-19 in the past months. If you get a vaccine, you may have a positive antibody test.

The test is not recommended if you have a current COVID-19 infection or you had the coronavirus vaccine, or there is suspected exposure to the infection.

How Is COVID-19 Treated?

Currently, there is no cure for Coronavirus disease, but the F.D.A. has approved drugs to treat Coronavirus in hospitalized patients. You can, however, get the COVID-19 vaccine to strengthen the immune system and make it easy to fight the infection.

Also, follow the instructions given by the World Health Organization, which include; wearing a mask, hygiene, and social distancing.

Schedule an Appointment

Seek immediate care in Katy, TX, or visit Preferred Urgent Care if you have symptoms of COVID-19.

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