COVID-19 Lab Results
When you work with Accurate CTV, you get more than just test results. You receive a diagnosis, treatment, advice, and follow-up care from our talented team of healthcare providers. We provide the care and expert advice you need to understand your results and protect yourself and others from illness.
After you get your COVID test, you will need to take important steps, depending on your results. Here’s what to expect when you receive your COVID-19 test results.
Negative COVID-19 Test Results
If you get a negative result, this means you likely do not have COVID-19. You will be advised by your healthcare provider on your next steps. The actions you should take depend on whether or not you have symptoms and whether you were exposed to someone who has COVID-19.
Possibility of Test Error
Every medical test contains some amount of error. For this reason, you should always take precautions like social distancing, wearing a mask, and washing your hands, even if you test negative for the virus.
COVID-19 Exposure
You are considered exposed to COVID-19 if you were within 6 feet of an infected person for 15 minutes or longer over a 24-hour period. This applies even if one or both of you were wearing masks.
✘No Symptoms
✘No Known Exposure
Even if you have no symptoms and have not knowingly been in contact with anyone who has COVID-19, there is still a possibility of having the virus. False-negative test results (where the test indicates you don’t have COVID-19 but you really do) are most frequent when a patient does not have symptoms.
If you receive this test result, please continue to wear a mask, practice social distancing, monitor yourself for symptoms, and follow all CDC and public health recommendations.
✔Known Exposure
If you have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19, you may or may not develop an infection.
In the case that you have been exposed while you are fully vaccinated and using a mask and social distancing, you just need to continue practicing preventative measures and watch for signs and symptoms of Covid-19.
If you are not fully vaccinated and did not use a mask, we recommend that you self-quarantine for seven(7) days since your exposure. Some employers may have different policies surrounding your return to work. Follow your organization’s policy about when to resume your school or work. Always follow CDC preventive precautions you can to limit your contact with other people.
If you are asymptomatic at the time of your test but develop COVID-19 symptoms, later on, you can contact us for repeat COVID-19 testing.
✘✔ With or Without Exposure
COVID-19 is the easiest to detect when you have symptoms. Symptoms can include fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, headache, congestion, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, chills, diarrhea, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, and body aches. While there is always a small possibility of test error, if you have any of these symptoms and test negative for COVID-19, your symptoms are likely being caused by another pathogen.
Treatment
At Accurate CTV, our mission is to prevent infection by advocating for vaccination and continue practicing preventative measures according to CDC guidelines. If you test negative for COVID-19 when you have symptoms, your illness is likely due to other viruses or bacteria. Follow up with your healthcare provider for a full exam, diagnosis, and treatment for your symptoms.
Health Monitoring
If your symptoms start getting worse or have been present for at least 7 days and are not improving, contact your healthcare provider for further evaluation and treatment.
If you experience increased shortness of breath or chest pain, you should call 911 and/or visit the nearest emergency center immediately.
COVID-19 Prevention
Testing negative for COVID-19 does not mean you should stop taking precautions against the virus. In addition to the chance for test error, you could be exposed to COVID-19 at any point after the test.
If you have symptoms, we recommend that you self-isolate until 72 hours after your fever (if you have one) disappears without the use of fever-reducing medications, and after other symptoms have improved.
Your employer may have different policies and requirements. Ask your employer about their return-to-work policy for staff taking a COVID-19 test.
Positive COVID-19 Test Results
A positive COVID-19 test means you have been infected with COVID-19. Follow CDC guidelines and self-isolate to avoid spreading the virus to others. Contact your healthcare provider for follow-up care.
Co-infection Diagnosis
At your appointment, your Accurate CTV provider will check if you have any additional infections that could cause complications.
Self-Isolation
If you test positive for COVID-19 and you are not fully vaccinated, you should isolate yourself at home for 7 days from the time your symptoms started. If you are fully Vaccinated Isolate for 3 days clear of Sympos.
Continue to monitor your symptoms, and visit the nearest emergency center and/or call 911 if you have significant shortness of breath or chest pain.
Therapeutics for COVID-19
Follow up with your primary care provider for therapeutic recommendations
Home Care for COVID-19
If your test indicates that you have COVID-19, follow CDC guidelines and your healthcare provider will advise you on how to take care of yourself and others at home. You will be expected to self-isolate Three(3) days have passed after the onset of symptoms. If you do not develop symptoms, you should isolate until Seven(7) days after the test date.
During this time, there are several important actions you should take.
Stay home, except to get medical care. Eliminate contact with others outside your household. If you must leave to seek medical help, call ahead to inform the healthcare facility that you tested positive for COVID-19.
Isolate yourself from others in your home. It’s important to stay apart from members of your household, to avoid spreading the virus to them. Stay in a separate room away from other household members, and use a different washroom if possible.
Keep in touch with your healthcare team. If you have a general practitioner or family doctor, you should call to inform them of your diagnosis. The Physicians Immediate Care healthcare team will also keep in touch with you by phone or a Telehealth visit.
Monitor your symptoms. Monitor yourself for fever and other symptoms of COVID-19. Keep a record of when symptoms first started and when they improve.
Seek emergency help if needed. Call 911 if you have trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in your chest, new confusion or inability to arouse, or a bluish face or lips. Tell the operator if you tested positive for COVID-19 or think you might have it.
Wash your hands often. Use soap and water, and scrub your hands well for at least 20 seconds.
Wear a mask and Cover your coughs and sneezes. Cough into your sleeve or a tissue. Dispose of tissues and wash your hands immediately.
Ask your doctor when you can stop home isolation. The decision to stop home isolation should be made together with your healthcare provider and must obey all state and local health department rules. In most cases, you can stop self-isolating at home when all three of the following conditions are met:
- You have had no fever for at least 72 hours, without the use of fever-reducing medications
- Other symptoms, such as coughing or shortness of breath, have improved
- At least 10 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared – or if you are asymptomatic, at least 10 days have passed since you took your positive COVID-19 test