COVID-19 Nasal Swab Test

Some people who are infected don’t have any symptoms and don’t feel sick. Most people have mild symptoms, but some people can have severe symptoms that may include:

• Fever (>100.4 F)
• New or worsening cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Other less common symptoms may include:

• Sore throat
• Headache
• Tiredness
• Body or muscle aches
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

Signs of a serious medical condition include, but are not limited to: severe shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, coughing up blood, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, persistent vomiting or diarrhea.

If you are having a medical emergency, please call 9-1-1.

RT-PCR DNA swab testing can help to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus. For individuals experiencing symptoms of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, testing can aid in diagnosing infection and assessing severity.

Individuals who have mild symptoms of COVID-19 virus (as outlined above) should perform the RT-PCR swab testing at home as a self-test, since it can be easily completed by following the instructions included. This prevents risking exposure to infecting others.

Test results will confirm whether or not you are infected with COVID-19. A positive result means you should limit your exposure to other people and continue to monitor your symptoms. However a negative result does not necessarily mean that you are not infected because the virus may not be detected if the sample is not collected as directed or if you are in the very early stages of infection. If you’re having symptoms or believe you have been exposed but your results are negative, take self-isolating precautions and follow up with a physician for further evaluation or to get re-tested.

If you test positive you will have the opportunity to speak with a licensed physician who can answer any questions you may have about your test results and help determine steps in care.

Most patients with COVID-19 have mild symptoms and will recover within two weeks without any specific treatment, other than supportive care. Treatments for mild cases focus on managing symptoms as there is currently no treatment for COVID-19. For patients experiencing severe symptoms, hospitalization and respiratory support may be required. Early phone contact with your primary care physician is recommended to avoid delays and worse outcomes.