COVID-19 testing

Coronavirus testing is vital for determining whether you have the COVID-19 virus. It allows you to take appropriate actions such as isolating, seeking treatment, and preventing further spread of the virus. Testing helps identify people infected by the virus, which helps stop its spread in the community.

Knowing your COVID-19 status is important for your health and the well-being of your family and others around you. Even those without symptoms, or those showing signs like fever, sore throat, or loss of smell and taste, should get tested if they have been exposed to the virus. Early detection through testing allows for timely isolation and treatment, which can reduce the severity of the disease and prevent long-term complications or death. Penn Medicine is a reliable source for access to COVID-19 testing, results, and support. 

Deciding when to get tested for COVID-19 depends on various individual circumstances, including whether you have symptoms, your vaccination status, recent exposure to the virus, and your previous testing history. Coronavirus testing is crucial for determining if you have COVID-19 so you can take appropriate actions to prevent spreading the virus and seek treatment if necessary.

You should consider getting tested if:

• You have symptoms: Test immediately if you develop symptoms like sniffles, congestion, or cough, even if they are mild and you are fully vaccinated. If you take an antigen test and your first test is negative, follow instructions for repeat testing to ensure accuracy. 
• You’ve been exposed to COVID-19: If you have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19 and you do not have symptoms, wait at least five full days after exposure before testing. Testing too early can lead to inaccurate results. 
• You live or work in a high-risk setting: Testing may be required as part of a screening program if you are in environments with a higher risk of transmission, such as healthcare facilities or large gatherings. 
• You will have contact with high-risk individuals: Consider testing before interacting with individuals at high risk for severe COVID-19, such as older adults, immunocompromised people or those with underlying medical conditions, especially if you are in an area with medium or high COVID-19 hospital admission levels.

Because antigen tests can be less sensitive than molecular (PCR) tests, the FDA recommends repeat testing to minimize the risk of false negatives. Consider whether you need repeat testing depending on whether you have symptoms.

• With symptoms: If you test negative on an antigen test but have symptoms, you should test again 48 hours (about two days) after the first negative COVID test. At least two tests are recommended. 
• Without symptoms: If you are asymptomatic and your initial antigen test is negative, you should perform two additional tests—one 48 hours (about 2 days) after the first negative test and another 48 hours (about two days) after the second negative test, totaling at least three tests.

Serology testing, or antibody testing, checks a sample of a person’s blood to look for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. These antibodies are produced when someone has been infected, so a positive result from this test indicates that person was previously infected with the virus. We do not know yet if the antibodies that result from infection with SARS-CoV-2 can protect someone from reinfection with this virus and if they do, how long this protection will last.

At Penn Medicine, antibody testing is available for patients with specific clinical indications. If you have additional questions about whether you are eligible for antibody testing, please contact your regular medical provider. 

At Penn Medicine, our highest priority is ensuring each of our patients gets the care they need in the safest way possible. Masking is optional in our facilities when there are low community rates of COVID and other respiratory viruses. Masking guidelines are subject to change in response to increases in COVID cases in our region. We encourage patients who are immunocompromised to continue to wear masks in all our facilities for additional protection. 

If you have coronavirus symptoms or are concerned that you were exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19, call your primary care provider’s office. Your doctor can review your symptoms and discuss next steps, including coronavirus testing and treatment options. Penn Medicine offers coronavirus testing at many of our primary care practices and outpatient labs. You also can find at-home COVID tests at your location pharmacy. Penn Medicine has services available to take care of patients who test positive for COVID-19, such as COVID Watch, an automated text messaging system that provides 24/7 clinical feedback and support.