With more Americans being diagnosed with coronavirus (COVID-19) every day, it’s essential to know the warning signs, so you know when to contact Medical Access for testing and treatment. Having the right information can help you protect yourself and your family and help you get the care you need. Call their offices in Beltsville, Rockville, and Germantown, Maryland, or in Alexandria, McLean, and Woodbridge, Virginia, to schedule an appointment or request one online today for expert medical care.
| Rapid test results will be delivered within 6 hours of your appointment time. PCR test results will be delivered within 2 to 4 days of your appointment time. Due to overwhelmed phone lines, we are primarily fielding COVID testing messages through the texting widget. Please do not call. |
What to expect during your Covid-19 test
COVID-19 is an infectious illness caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. The virus spreads through the droplets of saliva or nasal discharge that you expel when you cough or sneeze.
While these droplets are airborne, your chances of infection are low unless an infected person coughs or sneezes near you or if you touch a surface a sick person might have touched after sneezing or coughing into their hands.
Like other viral upper respiratory infections, COVID-19 causes:
COVID-19 symptoms usually develop slowly. It’s also possible to have the virus but not have symptoms.
Around 80% of people who get a coronavirus infection recover without any special treatment and only one in six people with COVID-19 become very ill and experience difficulty breathing.
Individuals with a high risk, such as those over the age of 65 or with an existing respiratory condition, should be especially mindful of the risk and practice social distancing and exemplary hygiene.
Medical Access offers two types of COVID-19 tests, including:
Rapid antigen tests detect the presence of a specific viral antigen. They involve a quick, painless oral or nasal swab and provide same-day results. This allows you to know if you have COVID-19 right away.
The quantity of testing kits varies on a daily basis. If Medical Access runs out of rapid antigen test kits on the day of your visit, they offer PCR tests as an alternative.
PCR tests use an oral or nasal swab to detect the presence of viral RNA. Viral RNA develops prior to the onset of noticeable symptoms, so it’s capable of detecting COVID-19 early on.
PCR tests take longer to process than rapid antigen tests. Most patients receive their results within three to five days.
A fever is one of the primary warning signs of COVID-19. For example, if you get seasonal allergies and have a runny nose or sore throat, please don’t panic.
However, if you or a member of your family develop a fever, shortness of breath, and other flu symptoms, like a dry cough, troubled breathing, and bodily aches and pains, schedule and appointment online with Medical Access for advice and for testing if necessary.
Health care professionals can provide specific information on what you need to do to take care of yourself and your family.
If you have a fever and other flu symptoms and want to know whether you need a COVID-19 test, schedule an appointment online for expert medical care and advice.
