#Cvs covid test flag a meaning how to#
#Cvs covid test flag a meaning professional#

Anterior Nares (Nasal) – takes a sample from just inside the nostrils.Swab samples use a swab (similar to a long Q-Tip) to collect a sample from the nose or throat. Types of Samplesĭifferent tests are authorized to be used with different types of samples. For more information about antibody testing, visit Antibody (Serology) Testing for COVID-19: Information for Patients and Consumers.

#Cvs covid test flag a meaning professional#

Samples for antibody tests are typically collected by a doctor or other medical professional by taking blood from a finger stick or your vein. More research is needed to determine what, if anything, antibody tests can tell us about a person’s immunity.

Antibody tests should not be used to diagnose a current SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 and, at this time, should also not be used to check for immunity.

As new tests are authorized for use, they are added to these tables so that anyone can access up-to-date information on all authorized tests and collection kits.Īntibody (or serology) tests look for antibodies in your blood that your immune system produced in response to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Using the search box in the EUA tables, you can use keywords to search and filter the type of test or collection kit you are looking for. For additional information on reading and understanding your test results, see Understanding At-Home OTC COVID-19 Antigen Diagnostic Test Results.įor details about each authorized COVID-19 diagnostic test, see the lists of authorized Molecular Diagnostic Tests and Antigen Diagnostic Tests, as well as the At-Home COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests webpage.

#Cvs covid test flag a meaning how to#

For more information about how to reduce your risk of getting a false negative result on an at-home COVID-19 antigen test, read our FDA Safety Communication. To increase the accuracy of an at-home COVID-19 antigen diagnostic test, it is important to perform repeat testing, after 48 hours, following a negative test result, whether you have symptoms or not, to reduce your risk of a false negative test result. Be aware that COVID-19 diagnostic tests are authorized for specific uses and that laboratory-based molecular COVID-19 tests, are generally more accurate than at-home tests. Be sure to check the At-Home OTC COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests website for information on expiration dates, who can use the test, and other details that may help you decide what test is right for you. You can also use an FDA-authorized at-home COVID-19 diagnostic test which gives you the option of self-testing where it is convenient for you. If you think you need a COVID-19 diagnostic test, you can find a community testing site in your state. Some tests, including most antigen tests, can be performed completely at home, giving you results within minutes, without needing to send your sample to a laboratory. For most molecular COVID-19 diagnostic tests, you go to a testing site to have your sample collected and for others you can collect your own sample at home using a home collection kit and mail it to a laboratory for testing. Depending on the intended use, COVID-19 diagnostic tests can be performed at a laboratory, a standalone testing site, a doctor’s office or health clinic, or at home. Some diagnostic tests use other samples such as mid-turbinate, nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal, or saliva samples. Samples for COVID-19 diagnostic tests are typically collected using an anterior nares (nasal) swab sample.

Antigen tests, often referred to as rapid tests or, for some, at-home or self tests, which detect proteins called antigens from the virus.

Molecular tests, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and other nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) tests, which detect genetic material called RNA from the virus.

There are two common types of COVID-19 diagnostic tests: There are different types of COVID-19 tests – diagnostic tests and antibody tests.ĭiagnostic tests can show if you currently are infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Understanding COVID-19 tests, including the different types of tests and their uses, and the types of samples the tests use, is key to making an informed decision that meets your needs. COVID-19 testing plays a critical role in the fight against the virus.