Testing for COVID-19

Two kinds of tests are available for COVID-19: viral tests and antibody tests.

• A viral test tells you if you have a current infection.
• An antibody test tells you if you had a previous infection

An antibody test may not be able to show if you have a current infection, because it can take 1-3 weeks after infection to make antibodies. We do not know yet if having antibodies to the virus can protect someone from getting infected with the virus again, or how long that protection might last.

Who should be tested

To learn if you have a current infection, viral tests are used. But not everyone needs this test.

• Most people will have mild illness and can recover at home without medical care and may not need to be tested.
• CDC has guidance for who should be tested, but decisions about testing are made by state and local health departments or healthcare providers.
• If you have symptoms of COVID-19 and want to get tested, call your healthcare provider first.
• You can also visit your state or local health department’s website to look for the latest local information on testing.
• Although supplies of tests are increasing, it may still be difficult to find a place to get tested.

Source: CDC