This unaltered story was originally published by U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC): URL: https://www.cdc.gov. Content is in public domain. ------------ Test for Current Infection [] Date: 2020-02-11 00:00:00 CDC has updated isolation and quarantine recommendations for the public, and is revising the CDC website to reflect these changes. These recommendations do not apply to healthcare personnel and do not supersede state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations. Viral tests are used to look for current infection A viral test checks specimens from your nose or your mouth to find out if you are currently infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. Viral tests can be performed in a laboratory, at a testing site, or at home or anywhere else. Two types of viral tests are used: nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) and antigen tests. covid test icon Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests: Order 4 free tests now so you have them when you need them.external icon Who should get tested The following people should get tested for COVID-19: Who does not need to be tested The following people who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 do not need to get tested if they do not have COVID-19 symptoms: People who have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 3 months and recovered, as long as they do not develop new symptoms, do not need to get tested. COVID-19 viral testing tool The COVID-19 Viral Testing Tool is an interactive web tool designed to help both healthcare providers and individuals understand COVID-19 testing options. This tool helps healthcare providers quickly access the most relevant, actionable information to determine what type(s) of COVID-19 testing they should recommend to patients. The tool helps individuals determine what type of test they should seek. After test results are in, the tool can help interpret test results and guide next steps. The online, mobile-friendly tool asks a series of questions, and provides recommended actions and resources based on the user’s responses. covid test icon Should I get tested? Decide when to get tested and learn how to understand your results with COVID-19 Viral Testing Tool. Get Started How to get a viral test Visit your state, tribal, local external icon , or territorial health department’s website to look for the latest local information on testing. , or territorial health department’s website to look for the latest local information on testing. Visit your healthcare or public health department clinic provider to get a self-collection kit or self-test. You and your healthcare provider might consider either self-collection kit or a self-test if you have symptoms of COVID-19 and can’t get tested by a healthcare provider. Positive viral test house user light icon If you test positive for the virus that causes COVID-19, take the following steps to protect others regardless of your COVID-19 vaccination status: Isolate for at least 5 days. You can end isolation after 5 full days if you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your other symptoms have improved (Loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation). Day 0 is your first day of symptoms. You can also use a test-based strategy to end isolation. If you test positive for COVID-19 and never develop symptoms, isolate for at least 5 days and wear a well-fitting mask around others at home and in public for an additional 5 days. Day 0 is the day the sample was collected for a positive test result. Wear a well-fitting mask around others at home and in public for 5 additional days after the end of your 5-day isolation period. Take additional precautions on days 6-10, such as avoiding travel and situations where you will come in contact with individuals at high risk for severe disease. If you are unable to wear a mask when around others, you should continue to isolate for 10 days. Follow CDC’s recommendations for isolation. Contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible if you are more likely to get very sick because of being an older adult or having underlying medical conditions or if your symptoms get worse. [1] Url: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/testing/diagnostic-testing.html Published by U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Public Domain via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/cdc/