When to Get Tested for Coronavirus

There are a limited number of test kits available, as well as shortages of protective equipment for healthcare workers, resulting in decisions about testing being made at the discretion of individual doctors and state and local health departments.

In addition, the Association of Public Health Laboratories currently recommends that doctors and clinicians prioritize testing for certain groups, and avoid mass testing so as not to deplete supplies of testing materials and protective gear. The three priority groups are:

• healthcare workers and first responders with COVID-19 symptoms;
• older individuals with COVID-19 symptoms, especially those who live in group settings like nursing homes; and
• individuals with other illnesses whose treatment might change if they have COVID-19.

Currently, the CDC is not publishing complete data on COVID-19 testing due to the lag in time between when tests are ordered, when tests are performed, and when results are reported. Data on virus testing is crucial to understanding the COVID-19 outbreak and how to shape our public health response. The COVID-19 Tracking Project is attempting to fill the public health data gap by reporting daily on the the positive and negative results, pending tests, and total people tested.

If you suspect that you are infected with SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19, you can use the following protocols to determine if you should be tested. These recommendations are based on guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and state and local health departments.

The CDC has a Self-Checker tool that individuals can use to help them determine if they need to seek testing for COVID-19.

You should seek testing and treatment for COVID-19 immediately if you start to experience any of the following emergency warning signs:

• Trouble breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion or inability to arouse
• Bluish lips or face

If you have other symptoms that are severe or concerning, you should also consult a medical provider immediately.

However, if you are not experiencing severe symptoms, you may not need to get tested. The questions below will help you determine the necessity of testing for COVID-19.

Generally, exposure to the coronavirus comes from having close contact with an infected individual. Close contact includes the following:

• Living with someone who is sick with COVID-19
• Caring for a person who is sick with COVID-19
• Being within six feet of a sick person for 10 minutes or more
• Being in direct contact with secretions from a sick person via kissing, sharing utensils, being coughed on, etc.
• Recent travel to a coronavirus hotspot

If any of the above criteria apply to you, pay attention to whether you start displaying any symptoms of COVID-19. Based on current data, symptoms usually emerge 2-14 days after exposure to the disease. According to the World Health Organization, COVID-19 symptoms include:

• Fever
• Dry cough
• Tiredness
• Shortness of breath
• Aches and pains
• Sore throat

Other symptoms that have been reported to occur include nausea, diarrhea, runny nose, and loss of sense of smell and taste.

Many of these symptoms are also indicative of other respiratory illnesses, such as the common cold and the flu. Before trying to get tested for COVID-19, make sure you rule out other illnesses that have similar symptoms, but can be treated with over-the-counter medications.

Despite early information that young people were unlikely to be affected by COVID-19, based on more recent data about the disease, it does not discriminate against anyone. However, there appear to be certain factors that can put individuals at higher risk for contracting COVID-19, or for more severe consequences if they become ill. People are considered high-risk if they fall into the following categories:

• Adults ages 65 and older
• People who live in nursing homes or long-term care facilities
• People with chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma
• People who have serious heart conditions
• People who are immunocompromised, including those receiving cancer treatment
• People of any age with severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] >40) or certain underlying medical conditions, particularly if not well controlled, such as those with diabetes, renal failure, or liver disease might also be at risk
• Pregnant women may be at higher risk

If you belong to any of these groups, have been exposed to COVID-19, are displaying any of the symptoms listed above, and have ruled out other illnesses or conditions, you should contact your doctor or local health department about getting tested for COVID-19.

If you do not fall into one of these categories, but have been exposed to COVID-19, are displaying symptoms, and have ruled out other illnesses, you still may not need to get tested. For healthy individuals, most cases of COVID-19 are mild, and can be treated at home.

While ideally testing would be widespread to confirm cases and prevent further transmission of COVID-19, testing supplies are limited. Therefore, individuals who do not have any COVID-19 symptoms (even if they have been exposed to the illness), and individuals who have mild symptoms but are under age 65 and otherwise healthy are unlikely to be tested at this time.

If you believe that you meet the criteria for COVID-19 testing, you should start by contacting your regular medical provider. They will let you know if your symptoms meet their standards for testing, and if so, where you can go to get tested. They can also provide you with guidance for treating your symptoms at home, and self-quarantining to prevent potential spread of COVID-19, if it is determined that you don’t need to be tested.

Individuals may also contact their state health department for information about where and how to get tested. At this time, decisions about who gets tested are still being made at the individual, local, and state level, and are largely dependent upon the availability of resources including tests and protective equipment.

• https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
• https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/testing.html
• https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus#tab=tab_1
• https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/fsis-content/internet/main/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/additional-recall-links/state-departments-of-public-health/ct_index
• http://www.aphlblog.org/covid-19-testing-needs-limited-priority-groups-sufficient-testing-supplies-personal-protective-equipment-available-nationwide/
• https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/after-travel-precautions.html
• https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/03/26/821582951/is-loss-of-smell-and-taste-a-symptom-of-covid-19-doctors-want-to-find-out
• https://www.livescience.com/new-coronavirus-compare-with-flu.html
• https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/03/13/if-you-feel-sick-are-worried-about-coronavirus-call-your-doctor-dont-rush-er/
• https://www.statnews.com/2020/03/18/coronavirus-new-age-analysis-of-risk-confirms-young-adults-not-invincible/
• https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html
• https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/22/health/coronavirus-testing-priorities-doctors/index.html