RAPID COVID-19 TESTING

The Delta variant “is faster, it is fitter, and will pick off the more vulnerable more efficiently than previous variants,” warned Dr. Mike Ryan, the executive director of the World Health Organization’s Health Emergencies Program.

The following symptoms are typical:

• Diarrhea, feeling sick to your stomach, or throwing up
• Shortness of breath
• Dry cough
• Fever
• Flu-like symptoms (chills, fatigue, body aches, etc.)
• Loss of taste or smell

Our COVID-19 Rapid and PCR tests are able to detect Delta and COVID’s other current mutations. In a World Health Organization news release tracking COVID-19 variants, the WHO did not state any of the new variants had an impact on the effectiveness of diagnostic testing.

The best way to prevent yourself from getting COVID-19 is by getting a vaccination. Additionally, the following measures should be followed:

• Wearing a face mask
• Washing hands thoroughly for 20 seconds with soap and warm water.
• Using hand sanitizer (containing 60% alcohol) if you’re unable to wash your hands
• Coughing or sneezing into the crevice of your elbow or into a tissue
• Refraining from touching your face with unwashed hands
• Keeping your distance (at least 6 feet) from others who may be sick
• Avoiding travel (when possible) and/or large crowds/events

• Stay home for the duration of your illness and keep children home if they are sick
• Avoid any close contact with others
• Cover your cough or sneeze and wash your hands
• Use a disinfectant on surfaces/objects you regularly touch such door knobs

The rapid COVID test by Quidel — called the Sofia 2 SARS Antigen FIA — is what is known as an “antigen” test.  Designed to detect specific proteins in the body from the virus that causes COVID-19 in respiratory specimens (nasal swabs), the Quidel test can produce results in as little as 15 minutes.

Anyone who would like to know immediately if they are carrying the coronavirus. Recent CDC guidelines recommend testing for patients who are asymptomatic: “Due to the significance of asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic transmission, this guidance further reinforces the needs to test asymptomatic persons…“

If you were to test negative for COVID-19 after an antigen test, yet still suspect you have the virus, your doctor may recommend a PCR test to help provide clarity.

The benefits of the rapid COVID-19 test far outweigh the risks, and include:

• The results obtained from your test can help your doctor make informed decisions when it comes to the best course of care.
• The results can help prevent the possible spread of COVID-19 to members of your family or others in your local community.
• You’ll get results in a shorter amount of time (within 15 minutes); giving you peace of mind and allowing more people to be tested each day.

 Risks are minimal and include:

• Potential discomfort or other complications that may occur during nasal swab sample collection.
• Possible incorrect test results (see below for more information)

It is recommended that you isolate to avoid spreading the virus to others. There is a very small chance that this test can give a positive result that is wrong (a false-positive result). Your healthcare provider will work with you to determine how best to care for you based on your test result(s) along with your medical history, and your symptoms.

A negative test result means that proteins from the virus that causes COVID-19 were not found in your sample. It is possible for this test to give a negative result that is incorrect (false negative) in some people with COVID-19. This means that you could possibly still have COVID-19 even though the test is negative. If your test result is negative, your healthcare provider will consider the test result together with all other aspects of your medical history (such as symptoms, possible exposures, and geographical location of places you have recently traveled) in deciding how to care for you. It is important that you work with your healthcare provider to help you understand the next steps you should take.

If you’re looking for a Rapid COVID-19 test near me, Huntington Beach Urgent Care has the Rapid COVID test available at designated parking spaces at 17822 Beach Blvd, Huntington Beach, CA 92647.

Click here to book your appointment today and get results within 15 minutes.

As of May 11, 2023, the federal government has concluded the COVID-19 public health emergency. With this development, coverage and cost-sharing policies for COVID-19 testing and treatment have been updated for certain insurances. Going forward, the out-of-pocket cost for COVID-19 testing will align with the member’s standard medical plan benefit, and $110 if without insurance.

COVID Antibodies are produced by your immune system in response to exposure to the COVID-19 virus or after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. The COVID Antibody Test can identify whether you have these antibodies circulating in your blood stream. Strong evidence suggests that the presence of these antibodies provides some degree of immunity against future COVID-19 infections.

Antibody Tests are useful for people who may have had prior COVID Infection and want to know if they have circulating antibodies. Also, following vaccination you may want to use this test to determine if your immune system has produced the desired antibodies.

An Antigen Test detects proteins found in the virus that causes COVID 19. This test is useful to determine if you are currently infected with the COVID-19 Virus.

An Antibody Test detects your immune system’s response to a past COVID-19 infection OR to the COVID- 19 Vaccine. The antibody test is not meant to be used to determine if you have an active COVID infection, rather it is used to determine if you have some degree of immunity from future COVID-19 infection. In general, antibodies help you fight off infections and can protect you from getting that disease again.

If you test positive

A positive test result means that you most likely have antibodies against the virus which causes COVID-19. Strong evidence suggests that having these antibodies provides some degree of immunity against future COVID-19 infections.” You should continue to protect yourself and others since you could get infected with the virus again.

If you test negative

You may not have ever had COVID-19.

You could have a current infection or been recently infected. The test may be negative because it typically takes 1-3 weeks after infection for your body to make antibodies. To determine if are currently carrying the COVID-19 Virus, please check out our Rapid Antigen Test. 

Regardless of whether you test positive or negative, please continue to take steps to protect yourself and others.

Yes, click here to make an appointment. If appointments are fully booked at your desired time, you may drive up without an appointment. In this case, we appreciate your patience as you may be required to wait.