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ALL ABOUT covid-19

COVID-19 is an infectious disease that’s caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It spreads from person to person through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. If you have symptoms or think you may have been exposed to COVID-19, it’s important you get tested as soon as possible.

Find a test provider with ID NOW rapid molecular testing for more information.

Find a Test Provider

All about COVID-19

COVID-19 is an infectious disease that’s caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It spreads from person to person through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. If you have symptoms or think you may have been exposed to COVID-19, it’s important you get tested as soon as possible.

Find a test provider with ID NOW rapid molecular testing for more information.

Find a Test Provider
Consumer Covid Hero
Consumer Covid Hero
Consumer Covid Hero

Recognizing COVID-19 symptoms

Most people infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment1—but some people experience severe COVID-19 symptoms and may be hospitalized.1

  • Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after someone is exposed to the virus.1 Some people who are infected may not have symptoms.
  • Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions may require medical attention.2
  • If you test positive for COVID-19 and are at high risk of getting very sick from COVID-19, your healthcare provider may prescribe antiviral treatment.4,5,6
Common symptoms of COVID-192
  • Fever or chills
  • Sore throat
  • Cough
  • Runny nose
  • Congestion or stuffy nose
  • Headache
  • Muscle or body aches or pains.
  • Feeling tired
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

Experiencing symptoms?

Learn more about flu symptoms, treatments, and potential complications, as well as how rapid molecular tests can quickly identify the flu virus so you can start the right treatment earlier and get well sooner.

Download Fast Facts
Watch the video
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Experiencing symptoms?

Learn more about COVID-19 symptoms and treatments, as well as how rapid molecular tests can quickly identify the COVID-19 virus so you can start the right treatment earlier and get well sooner.

Download Fast Facts (PDF 616KB)
Watch the video

COVID-19 TESTING OPTIONS

There are wide variety of COVID-19 tests—and you can find them in a wide variety of settings.

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Rapid molecular tests (ISOTHERMAL/PCR TECHNOLOGY)

Rapid molecular tests detect viral RNA or DNA with results available in minutes.

  • Performed via a nasal or throat swab
  • Used at the point of care by a trained operator including doctors’ offices, urgent care, emergency departments, and pharmacies
  • Provide results in less than 12 minutess
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Molecular PCR test

Molecular PCR tests detect viral RNA or DNA.

  • Performed via a nasal, nasopharyngeal or throat swab
  • Samples sent to a lab or hospital to run on a larger instrument together with higher volumes of patient samples.
  • Results are typically available in 1-3 days
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Rapid Antigen Self Test

Detects active infection by identifying a protein from the virus or bacteria that causes that infection.

  • Performed via nasal or throat swab
  • Can either be used at doctors' offices, urgent care, emergency rooms, pharmacy clinics, or bought at retailers for self-testing.
  • Results available in less than 15 minutes.
What is the difference between Isothermal and PCR molecular tests? 

A molecular test can find tiny amounts of virus genetic material called RNA and can be more reliable in the early stage of infection when there is less of the virus present. Isothermal and PCR are both types of molecular test technology, but isothermal tests are faster and can provide results in minutes.10,11

 

Isothermal
PCR

Tests for SARS-CoV-2 RNA

image

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Molecular test

image

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Swab from the nose

image

image

Takes less than 15 minutes

image

 

Whether it’s negative or positive, be sure to discuss your test result with your clinician.

FIND A TEST PROVIDER
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COVID-19 TESTING OPTIONS

There are wide variety of COVID-19 tests—and you can find them in a wide variety of settings.

Rapid molecular tests (ISOTHERMAL/PCR TECHNOLOGY)

Rapid molecular tests detect viral RNA or DNA with results available in minutes.

  • Performed via a nasal or throat swab
  • Used at the point of care by a trained operator including doctors’ offices, urgent care, emergency departments, and pharmacies
  • Provide results in less than 12 minutess
Molecular PCR test

Molecular PCR tests detect viral RNA or DNA.

  • Performed via a nasal, nasopharyngeal or throat swab
  • Samples sent to a lab or hospital to run on a larger instrument together with higher volumes of patient samples.
  • Results are typically available in 1-3 days
Rapid Antigen Self Test

Detects active infection by identifying a protein from the virus or bacteria that causes that infection.

  • Performed via nasal or throat swab
  • Can either be used at doctors' offices, urgent care, emergency rooms, pharmacy clinics, or bought at retailers for self-testing.
  • Results available in less than 15 minutes.
What is the difference between Isothermal and PCR molecular tests? 

A molecular test can find tiny amounts of virus genetic material called RNA and can be more reliable in the early stage of infection when there is less of the virus present. Isothermal and PCR are both types of molecular test technology, but isothermal tests are faster and can provide results in minutes.10,11

 

Isothermal
PCR

Tests for SARS-CoV-2 RNA

image

image

Molecular test

image

image

Swab from the nose

image

image

Takes less than 15 minutes

image

 

Whether it’s negative or positive, be sure to discuss your test result with your clinician.

find a rapid molecular test
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COVID-19 complications can be SEVERE

Older adults who have chronic conditions can be at increased risk for severe effects from COVID-19.8 In addition, people's immune system's tend to weaken with age, making it more difficult to fight off infections.9 Rapid molecular testing for COVID-19 can allow you to start treatment faster, avoid complications, and get well sooner.

Targeted COVID-19 treatment begins with a quick diagnosis.

There are medications available to treat COVID-19, that are prescribed by a healthcare provider. Because COVID-19 treatment options work best when they are prescribed and used early, rapid testing is essential to ensure that your healthcare provider receives quick and reliable results to make a treatment decision.12 Contact your clinician about available treatment options if you have tested positive for COVID-19.

COVID-19 complications can be SEVERE

Older adults who have chronic conditions can be at increased risk for severe effects from COVID-19.8 In addition, people's immune system's tend to weaken with age, making it more difficult to fight off infections.9 

Rapid molecular testing for COVID-19 can allow you to start treatment faster, avoid complications, and get well sooner.

Targeted COVID-19 treatment begins with a quick diagnosis.

There are medications available to treat COVID-19, that are prescribed by a healthcare provider. 

Because COVID-19 treatment options work best when they are prescribed and used early, rapid testing is essential to ensure that your healthcare provider receives quick and reliable results to make a treatment decision.12 Contact your clinician about available treatment options if you have tested positive for COVID-19.

READ MORE ABOUT RAPID Testing
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Sign up for Rapid Insights, our email series on rapid molecular testing

This program will teach you about rapid tests and how they can quickly identify illnesses like the flu, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and strep throat. Rapid testing can help you get treated earlier and get well sooner.

SIGN UP FOR RAPID INSIGHTS
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ALL ABOUT RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES

Learn about respiratory illnesses and the newer advanced test technology that offers fast and accurate results. Knowing now means you’ll be treated earlier which can help you get well sooner.

LEARN MORE ABOUT RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES
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FIND THE BEST TEST FOR YOU

Rapid tests are essential tools to help diagnose what’s behind your symptoms, so you can treat earlier and get well sooner. Understand the differences between rapid molecular tests and at home COVID-19 antigen self tests.

LEARN MORE ABOUT RAPID TESTING

REFERENCES

  1. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/symptoms-causes/syc-20479963. Accessed May 18, 2022.
  2. Symptoms of COVID-19. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html. Updated Mar. 22, 2022. Accessed May 18, 2022.
  3. What to Do If You Are Sick. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html. Updated Mar. 22, 2022. Accessed May 18, 2022.
  4. What are oral antivirals? https://combatcovid.hhs.gov/what-are-oral-antivirals. Accessed May 18, 2022.
  5. HHS Therapeutics Team. Side-by-Side Overview of Therapeutics Authorized or Approved for the Prevention of COVID-19 Infection or Treatment of Mild-Moderate COVID-19. https://aspr.hhs.gov/COVID-19/Therapeutics/Documents/side-by-side-overview.pdf. May 6, 2022.
  6. What you can do if you are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/COVID19-What-You-Can-Do-High-Risk.pdf. CS 330006-A. March 14, 2022.
  7. Who Is at High Risk for Severe Coronavirus Disease? https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/coronavirus-and-covid19-who-is-at-higher-risk. Updated December 8, 2021. Accessed May 18, 2022.
  8. People with Certain Medical Conditions. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html. Updated May 2, 2022. Accessed May 18, 2022.
  9. People with Certain Medical Conditions. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html. Updated May 2, 2022. Accessed May 18, 2022.
  10. Types of Covid-19 tests. https://biodesign.asu.edu/research/clinical-testing/testing/test-types.  Accessed April 14, 2021.
  11. Everitt ML, Tillery A, David MG, et al. A critical review of point-of-care diagnostic technologies  to combat pandemics. Anal Chem Acta. 2021;1146:184-199
  12. COVID-19 Treatments and Medications. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/treatments-for-severe-illness.html. Updated Apr. 29, 2022. Accessed May 18, 2022.
  13. What are monoclonal antibodies? https://combatcovid.hhs.gov/what-are-monoclonal-antibodies. Accessed May 18, 2022.

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