COVID-19 Testing
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Tests Offered at NIVA Health
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Rapid Anti-body Test
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Rapid Nasal Antigen Test
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Nasal Swab PCR Test
What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus which is a new virus in humans causing a contagious respiratory illness. COVID-19 can present with a mild to severe illness, although some people infected with COVID-19 may have no symptoms at all.
What does it mean if you have a positive test result?
There is a very small chance that this test can give a positive result that is wrong (a false positive) particularly when used in a population without many cases of COVID-19 infection. Your healthcare provider will work with you to determine how best to care for you based on the test results along with medical history and your symptoms.
What does it mean if you have a negative test result?
The amount of antigen in a sample may decrease the longer you have symptoms of infection. Specimens collected after you have had symptoms for more than five days may be more likely to be negative compared to a molecular assay. It is important that you work with your healthcare provider to help you understand the next steps you should take.
What are the differences between the Nasal Swab PCR test and the Rapid Nasal Antigen test?
PCR tests detect the presence of the virus's genetic material using a technique called reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, or RT-PCR. For this test, a sample may be collected through a nasal or throat swab, or a saliva sample may be used. The sample is typically sent to a laboratory where coronavirus RNA (if present) is extracted from the sample and converted into DNA. The DNA is then amplified, meaning that many of copies of the viral DNA are made, in order to produce a measurable result. Generally speaking, PCR tests are highly accurate. However, it can take days to over a week to get the results of a PCR test.
Rapid Antigen tests detect specific proteins on the surface of the coronavirus. Positive rapid antigen test results are highly specific, meaning that if you test positive you are very likely to be infected. However, there is a higher chance of false negatives with antigen tests, which means that a negative result cannot definitively rule out an active infection. If you have a negative result on an antigen test, your doctor may order a PCR test to confirm the result.
Test Results
There is a very small chance that this test can give a positive result that is wrong (a false positive) particularly when used in a population without many cases of COVID-19 infection. Your healthcare provider will work with you to determine how best to care for you based on the test results along with medical history and your symptoms.
