Similarly, the antigen test has specific drawbacks as well. Simply put, you can fully recover from COVID-19 and still test positive for the virus, far from helpful when you want to return to work, travel, or generally assume daily life. Thus, it is not ideal for determining the end of isolation or quarantine.” “However,” he added, “because it can detect viral fragments, or pieces of the virus rather than the whole virus, it can remain positive for weeks, long after the person has recovered and no longer is contagious. It is excellent in diagnosing COVID when you are developing symptoms,” said Schaffner. “The PCR COVID test is the gold standard. If we are looking for a bottom line “most accurate,” then that would be the PCR test. Both tests are helpful in particular situations, but they also have their drawbacks. To understand what test does what and when you might need to take which, let’s take a look at what each does. William Schaffner, professor of Preventive Medicine, Department of Health Policy, and professor of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. It is more complex and depends both on the type of test and the timing of when the test is done relative to the time of exposure,” said Dr. “The general public has difficulty in understanding that the interpretation of COVID tests is not a simple positive or negative. Timing and level of disease both play an essential role in how and when the tests should be used. These are designed to detect an active SARS-CoV-2 infection, but they do not work precisely the same way. These include molecular and antigen tests, more commonly known as PCR and rapid tests. The diagnostic tests are designed to show whether you have active COVID-19 disease, while antibody tests show whether you’ve had COVID-19 in the past.Īlso, within the diagnostic tests are categories. By telling your close contacts they may have been exposed, you are helping to protect everyone.There are two types of COVID-19 tests - diagnostic and antibody. You can begin spreading COVID-19 starting 2 days before you have any symptoms or test positive. Tell your close contacts that they may have been exposed. You will need to stay home and isolate yourself from others for 10 days until you are no longer able to spread the disease to others. If you have or develop severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, you should call 911. If you have questions or are unsure about your risk, you should contact your healthcare provider. Please visit the CDC website to find out if you have any medical conditions that put you at greater risk for severe disease. People over age 65 or those with certain medical conditions are more likely to get seriously ill and require hospitalization, especially if they are unvaccinated. If you are at risk for severe disease from COVID-19 infection, you should contact your healthcare provider immediately to talk about any treatments you may need. When should I consider using a self test? More information about free and low-cost testing sites can be found on the community based testing website. More information is available on the Center for Medicaid website. Details differ from insurer to insurer – please reach out to your plan for more details about how to obtain self-tests free of cost. More information is available on MassHealth's information page.Īll individuals covered by private insurance can also obtain up to 8 self-tests and may either be able to file for reimbursement from their insurer (which may require receipts or other documentation) and/or provide certain documentation (for example, prescription benefits card) at the point of sale to receive the tests for free. Reimbursement may not be available to members if they pay for tests out-of-pocket. Members do not need to pay up front out-of-pocket, MassHealth will pay the pharmacy directly. MassHealth Members must obtain these tests at a pharmacy, including online pharmacy orders. More information is available on the Center for Medicare website.Īll Masshealth Members can also obtain up to 8 self-tests per month free of cost. Enrollees can also call 1-800-MEDICARE to find locations. Participating chains include Rite Aid, Wegmans, Price Chopper, Big Y, Hannaford, Stop and Shop, Albertsons, Walmart, Walgreens, and CVS. Those in Medicare Advantage plans may need to show their Medicare cards to receive the tests. The state, and many municipalities, have provided tests at no cost through a range of settings, including schools, shelters, Family Resource Centers, and many others.Īs of April 4 2022, Medicare enrollees can now obtain up to eight self-tests a month at certain pharmacy chains and providers, free of cost. Self-tests are available online and at most pharmacies.
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