My name is Lilith Maclin and if you suffer from a digestive disorder, you can find a wealth of information about this type of medical condition in my blog. Three years ago, my husband was having severe stomach cramps and his doctor told him that he had a digestive disorder called ulcerative colitis. After my husband was diagnosed, I did thorough research to learn how to control and manage this disorder. We kept track of everything that my husband ate and when a certain food caused a flare-up of his condition, he eliminated that food from his diet. By learning all we could about this digestive disorder, my husband has been able to live pain free. If you want more information about this disorder and how to manage it, you can find it here by reading my blog.
Louella Davidson
When, where, and why should you get a same-day Covid PCR test? If you're not sure whether you need this test right now, how to find a testing site, or if a same-day option is the best choice, take a look at what you need to know about PCR tests.
When Do You Need A Same-Day Test?
Before you get to the answer to this question, you may need to learn more about what same-day Covid PCR testing is—and what it isn't. Like the name implies, with a same-day test you get the results on the same day you take the Covid-19 test. The specific amount of time between when you get the nasal swab and when you get the results depends on the testing center or lab. Unlike a rapid test (an antigen test), a PCR test will take longer than 15 to 30 minutes to process.
Even though a PCR test won't provide almost-instant results, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that this option is usually more reliable than the rapid antigen test. You might need a same-day PCR corona virus test if you need to provide negative results to travel or attend an event. You may also want to take this test if you were exposed to someone who has Covid or has symptoms, such as nasal congestion, a cough, fever, sore throat, headache, body/muscle aches, extreme fatigue, GI issues, or sudden loss of taste/smell.
Where Can You Get A Same-Day Covid PCR Test?
The answer to this question depends on where you live. Many doctor's offices, urgent care clinics, specialized testing centers, hospitals, outpatient healthcare facilities, and pharmacies offer Covid testing. But not every site will have a same-day PCR option. Before you schedule your test, ask the healthcare facility or retailer what types of tests they provide.
Again, rapid and same-day PCR testing are not the same options. A rapid test in an antigen test. While it can provide an accurate positive result, one antigen test can't always rule out a Covid infection (especially in people who don't have symptoms), according to the CDC. The CDC also notes that you should take at least two rapid tests 48 hours apart. If you want a more reliable test and don't want to repeat the test in the next few days, make sure the testing site offers the same-day PCR option.
Why Should You Choose Same-Day Testing?
A same-day test is convenient and may reduce the spread of Covid. If you need a test to travel or attend an event, you won't want to wait days for PCR results. A multi-day wait could ruin your vacation plans or make it impossible to attend a group activity. Not only could a wait make you late, but it could also result in unnecessary days of isolation or cause you to expose other people to the virus.