Testing is one of the biggest tools in fighting COVID-19.

• A viral test tells you if you have a current infection.
• An antibody test might tell you if you had a past infection. An antibody test might not show if you have a current infection because it can take 1-3 weeks after infection for your body to make antibodies. Having antibodies to the virus that causes COVID-19 might provide protection from getting infected with the virus again. If it does, we do not know how much protection the antibodies might provide or how long this protection might last.

To learn if you have a current infection, viral tests are used. Most people have mild illness and can recover at home without medical care. Contact your healthcare provider if your symptoms are getting worse or if you have questions about your health.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 and want to get tessted, call your healthcare provider first.

Read more at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/testing.html