As the COVID-19 pandemic transitions from national stay-at-home orders to people returning to their daily lives, many are wondering whether or not they still need to be vigilant about COVID testing. The truth is that COVID testing is just as important now as it ever was, and there are some key times when you'll want to consider it regardless of your situation. Here's a look at what you need to know about some of the times when you should consider COVID testing.
You're Showing Symptoms Consistent With COVID-19
While the common symptoms of infection have shifted slightly with the changing variants, remaining vigilant about the COVID-19 symptoms is important. You need to be able to recognize when you're showing symptoms of the virus so that you know when to test to confirm or rule out contagion. If you are showing any symptoms of COVID-19, even if those symptoms could indicate another virus, you should test right away.
You've Been At A Large Gathering
Most people think of large gatherings as events like family reunions, parties, and similar events. The truth is that large gatherings can actually refer to things that aren't organized, too. If you've been out in town and there were a lot of people on the commons where you were sitting, or you spent a lot of time in close contact with others at the farmer's market, that does put you in a position with potential exposure risk. If you're concerned about that possible exposure, you should test around five days afterward, unless you start showing symptoms before then.
You've Had Any Potential Exposure
Many of the COVID-19 variants have proven to be highly transmissible among the population. This has led to a virus that spreads rapidly, in part because people have underestimated its ability to reproduce and spread. If you find out that you have had any type of potential exposure, even if you feel as though you weren't in that close of contact, it's important that you test at least once several days after exposure, but potentially multiple times over the course of a week or two, just to be sure. You can carry and spread the virus asymptomatically, so testing is the best course of mediation.
These are a couple of the key times when you should consider testing for COVID-19. If you have any reasons to be concerned about your exposure status, reach out to your doctor or a COVID-19 testing service today.
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