COVID tests are essential to prevent the spread of COVID-19. There are different types of COVID tests, and it is important to know when it is appropriate to use which test. Let’s discuss the different types of tests, what information they provide, and where you can go in King, NC, to receive any COVID test you may need and personalized care.
Rapid Tests
“Rapid” tests, clinically known as antigen tests, identify whether or not you are currently infected with Coronavirus. It works by detecting if proteins made by the virus are present in your body.
During a rapid test, a healthcare provider will swab your nose to collect a sample of your nasal/respiratory fluid, where the virus resides in sick individuals. Your provider will then process the sample and let you know the result. Rapid tests are named this way because they only take 15 minutes to develop and display results.
Rapid tests are a good option if you need quick results, such as needing to test to travel. However, they are not as accurate as other tests.
At-Home Tests
“At-home” tests are also antigen tests. They are the same as the rapid tests you can get at an urgent care clinic, except you can buy them at your local pharmacy and take them without leaving your house.
The testing process is the same as a rapid test at the healthcare provider’s office, except you have to swab your own nose, put the swab into a solution, and use a dropper to apply the solution to a test card. The test card displays a result after 15 minutes.
At-home tests are a good option because you get quick results, but there is a higher chance of user error and, therefore an incorrect result because the test is not being performed by a healthcare professional.
PCR Tests
PCR tests are a type of COVID test that looks for viral genetic information in a sample. These tests are commonly performed at a pharmacy or urgent care clinic and also involve a nasal swab. Unlike at-home/rapid tests, it takes 24-72 hours for PCR tests to determine if you are infected.
PCR tests are a good option when you want to know if you have COVID, as they are more accurate than antigen tests such as at-home tests or rapid tests. However, they can be somewhat inconvenient in that results are not immediately available.
COVID Test Near Me
If you are looking for experienced, caring providers that can diagnose and treat COVID-19, look no further than Cardinal Urgent Care. We offer rapid COVID-19 tests as well as rapid flu, strep, and mono tests so that we can identify exactly what is making you sick and give you the correct treatment, so you feel better in no time. We are open 8 am-8 pm Monday through Friday and9am-5 pm Saturdays and Sundays. Walk-ins are always welcome, and we also schedule appointments at 336-983-9111 or through our appointment scheduler. We look forward to helping you get back to feeling your best!
