How to Prevent a False Positive COVID Test

COVID-19 testing is an important factor in preventing the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. However, false test results can concern those who are trying to check for COVID-19. False negative results are worrisome because of a higher likelihood of spreading the virus without realizing it. False positives can be a concern when someone doesn’t want to unnecessarily isolate themselves or when they need a negative COVID-19 test to travel. Before looking at how to prevent a false positive COVID-19 test, it is important to note how accurate they are.

What Causes a False Positive Rapid COVID Test?

Simply put, a false positive COVID-19 test occurs when test results come back as positive, but you are actually not infected with COVID-19. If you receive a positive result, there’s a possibility that it’s inaccurate. So how do false positives happen?

Can You Do a Throat Swab for a Rapid Test for COVID-19?

When you go through COVID-19 testing, you should either be tested by a medical professional or follow your at-home testing kit instructions precisely. Throat swab COVID test accuracy is still not fully tested in the same way nasal swab COVID test accuracy is. Because of this, the medical community currently relies more on nasal swab testing.

Is COVID Testing Free?

The short answer is yes, the federal government mandated that all Americans have access to free COVID-19 testing. However, many people still have medical bills associated with their testing. Sometimes these are related to Emergency Rooms fees when their tests were performed, others who need to fight for COVID test reimbursement by insurance providers to get the cost covered. 

How Long Does It Take To Get Rapid COVID-19 Test Results?

When you have symptoms of COVID-19 or may have been exposed to a positive case, it’s crucial to consider COVID-19 testing. While the idea of testing might be overwhelming, taking a test will protect you and others if you have contracted the virus. In many places, people can take a rapid antigen test, which provides quick results, or PCR COVID-19 test, which is more accurate. But just how fast is a rapid COVID test?

How Long is Someone Contagious After they Test Positive for COVID-19

The short answer is typically, someone is contagious between 5 and 10 days after a positive test. The longer answer is that it will be different for everyone depending on a few factors. Generally the people who are contagious for the shorter end of the range are those who have been fully vaccinated, and whose symptoms are improving. The people who are more likely to be contagious for up to 10 days are those who have not been vaccinated, whose symptoms are not improving, or who have a compromised immune system.

Can A Person Test Negative and Later Test Positive for COVID-19?

Testing negative for COVID-19 doesn’t always mean you’re in the clear to return to normal. In some cases, a negative result does not rule out the presence of SARS-CoV-2 infection. There is a possibility that your COVID-19 test showed a negative result by mistake.

How Long Should Contacts of a Confirmed COVID-19 Case Self-quarantine?

In general, if you do fit the criteria of being a close contact, it is a good idea to self-quarantine. Guidance has changed through the COVID-19 pandemic as people get vaccinated, new information is learned, and variants come and go. You may find conflicting information about whether or not you should. Self-quarantine after exposure to COVID-19 can help slow the spread of the virus and you may choose to follow a strict protocol out of an abundance of caution. 

Are COVID-19 Molecular Tests More Accurate?

If you have had a recent exposure to someone with COVID-19, are experiencing symptoms, or are planning to travel, testing for COVID-19 is recommended (and sometimes required) to keep yourself and your community safe. Testing is a powerful tool to slow the spread of COVID-19 among both vaccinated and unvaccinated persons.

With all of the options for testing–at a testing site, at home, rapid result, mail-in, nasal swab, throat swab, Emergency Use Authorization, FDA approved–it can be difficult to know which test will give the most accurate results.

This post will provide clarity on the differences between COVID-19 molecular tests–also known as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests–and antigen tests, which are commonly referred to as rapid tests.

How Long Would It Take for Me to Become Sick After Being Exposed to the Coronavirus Disease?

Understanding the length of time it takes for someone to become sick after being exposed to COVID-19 is vital for slowing the spread. You may have recently been exposed to COVID-19 and are now asking, “How long should I be quarantining? When should I consider COVID-19 testing? Will I even get sick?”

Does Insurance Reimburse for At-Home COVID Tests?

Since its emergence in November of 2021, the Omicron variant of COVID-19 has spread more quickly than any previous variant. With a recent spike resulting from the holiday season, more people and businesses are relying on COVID-19 testing to slow the spread. 

What Is the Omicron Variant?

With another new, highly-transmissible COVID-19 variant emerging, we’re guessing you have a few questions about this new variant, known as Omicron. Don’t worry—in this post, we’re answering some of the most-searched questions about this new threat—what it is, how it spreads, and how to keep your family safe through protective measures and COVID-19 testing. 

What States Have the Most Omicron Variant?

If you’ve followed COVID-19 news at all in late 2021 and early 2022, there’s one word you’re sure to have heard: Omicron. This Variant of Concern (VOC) is highly transmissible—much more so than Delta. And although symptoms are reported to be somewhat milder than Delta, severe illness, hospitalization, and deaths are still occurring. In other words, Omicron is not to be taken lightly, and there is a continued need for vaccines, masking, and proactive COVID-19 testing procedures.

Are There Any at Home Tests for COVID-19?

COVID-19 testing is one of the most important defenses we have in the fight against the pandemic. Thankfully there are multiple ways you can get tested for COVID-19. One of the most convenient ways is by using a COVID at home test kit. However, these at home antigen tests for COVID-19 are in short supply and may be difficult to come by. In this article we will explain how at home COVID-19 testing works and list where you can find these tests both for purchase and free of charge.

What Is an Antigen Test?

When it comes to COVID-19 testing, there are many different options available to folks these days. From PCR to antigen to rapid to antibody tests…The list goes on and on. Not only are there different methods of testing, but there are also a plethora of test providers and even at-home tests that you can take. Today we’re taking a closer look at the antigen test for COVID-19 to answer all of your questions about this method of testing.

What Causes a False Positive Rapid COVID Test?

COVID-19 testing remains one of our most powerful tools in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, especially as the virus evolves. Just as the pandemic progresses, so too does testing. For example, we now have multiple test types, like PCR, antigen, rapid, at-home, and antibody testing.

How Much Does a COVID-19 Test Cost?

As we enter year 3, optimism remains that the COVID-19 pandemic will become something we talk about in the past tense. Sadly, though, we’re not there yet.

In addition to measures to prevent the spread—like vaccination, social distancing, and mask-wearing—COVID-19 testing is going to be the key to getting back to normal. When individuals, whether they have suspected symptoms of the virus or not, receive a positive test result, they can take measures to minimize how many contacts they expose.

How Long Does it Take to Get Coronavirus Test Results?

Anxiously waiting on your COVID test results? So are many other people. Recently, the New York Times reported that nearly 2 million COVID-19 tests were being processed every day. Before you start panicking and Googling, “I haven’t received my COVID test results,” let us ease your mind. We’ll elaborate on some of the intricacies involved in the COVID-19 testing process and explain what you should expect while you wait to receive your results. 

How Long Are You Contagious With COVID?

After COVID-19 testing confirms what you’ve been dreading—a positive test result for SARS-CoV-2—the process of isolation and recovery begins. Many people want to do the right thing, staying away from others until they are no longer contagious, but how long is that time period? We’re exploring this answer and more.

What Are Some Symptoms of the New Omicron Variant of COVID-19?

ymptoms, cases continue to rise at an alarming rate. In fact, hospitalizations and infections are reaching record highs.

Is Omicron Dangerous?

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, each day seems to bring a new batch of confusing terminology and conflicting information. Covid variants pop up and disappear or stick around and dominate the news cycle. “Omicron” has recently become a buzzword in the latest COVID-19 news…but what exactly is Omicron and is it something to be concerned about? We’ll explore these answers and more. 

How Long Do COVID Antibodies Last?

As the COVID-19 pandemic has progressed, our knowledge about the virus and how to stop it has also evolved. Initially, all we knew were diagnostic tests and masking. That quickly changed to antigen testing and rapid tests. After that, we heard about antibodies for covid and COVID-19 antibody testing. Shortly thereafter we started hearing about […]

What Does PCR Test Stand For?

If you have gone through COVID-19 testing, especially early in the pandemic, you may have received a PCR test. You also probably got tested without much insight into what PCR means, and how this test can confirm if you have COVID-19 or not. Let’s examine what PCR stands for in common terms, as well as the 4 steps of this test, and how you can get COVID-19 PCR tests back quickly.

What Does a Positive COVID-19 Test Result Mean?

Throughout the entire COVID-19 pandemic, testing has been an integral piece of the puzzle. With new variants arising, cases still high, and vaccination rates lower than necessary to stop the spread, COVID-19 testing remains a key component to ending the pandemic. Testing can help identify the spread of new variants, inform individuals on when to isolate or quarantine, and provide peace of mind for anyone who thinks that they may have COVID-19. 

Are You Immune to the Coronavirus Disease after Recovering from It?

Even with COVID-19 testing becoming more accurate, and choosing to get one of the vaccines, there is still a chance you could become infected with the virus after recovering from it previously. When you get a virus like COVID-19 your body will produce antibodies to see if any of them could be the key used to kill the virus. If your body does not have the “key”, it will end up creating new antibodies to fight the virus. The reason it’s important to know you cannot be immune to COVID-19 is for your own health, as well as to prevent infecting more people with the virus and prolonging the spread.