Covid-19 Testing Clinic in College Park, MD

There are various tests available that can be used to check people who are either symptomatic or asymptomatic for the presence of the COVID-19 virus. One of those tests is the antigen test, commonly known as the rapid COVID-19 test. This version is used to quickly and efficiently test individuals to find out if they have COVID-19 as a means to stop the rapid spread of the infection. A rapid test is used to detect the protein fragments that are specific to COVID-19 in the body. Test results can vary in their timing, depending how busy the lab is, but results can be returned in as short as 15 minutes. Rapid tests have been shown to be more likely to be accurate in identifying COVID-19 cases in people who are experiencing symptoms.

COVID-19 symptoms will vary from one person to the next, and can vary based on the age of the patient and any other health conditions they have. For example, children can experience different symptoms than adults and people with existing medical conditions can experience more severe, and even life-threatening, symptoms. COVID-19 has been shown to have some core symptoms that are the most common, although several other symptoms have been identified in select patients.

The common, core COVID-19 symptoms that have been identified are:

– Dry cough
– Fever or chills
– Fatigue
– Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
– Headache
– Muscle or body aches
– Sore throat
– Loss of smell or taste that has recently started
– Runny or congested nose
– Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, you should isolate yourself from other people until you can get tested and receive a negative result.

COVID-19 test results will vary in the time it takes to get results back depending on the type of test performed. There are multiple versions of test methods available, with the antigen, or rapid, test and the PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test being the most commonly used. Turnaround timing will also vary based on how busy the lab is at the time. Rapid tests can return results in as quickly as 15 minutes, and are more likely to be accurate for patients experiencing symptoms of COVID. PCR tests are considered to be the optimal test as they can detect the presence of the virus shortly after infection, even before the patient is experiencing symptoms. Results will typically take two to three days, but can be turned around in as little as a day or take as long as a week if the lab is busy. Express Healthcare in College Park, MD provides both types of tests and will perform the most suitable one based on your individual situation.

Everyone experiences COVID-19 differently, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe, and even life-threatening. In some cases, patients may not experience any symptoms of COVID-19, which is why asymptomatic testing is available. When symptoms do appear, it can take anywhere from two to fourteen days for them to show up. During that time, symptoms can and will most likely vary in their severity. Even once the main infection has passed and cleared up, some patients have been found to experience lingering symptoms for several months following their infection. If you have been identified as a close contact or you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, it is important to get tested and keep yourself isolated until your symptoms clear up or you receive a negative test result. COVID-19 tests can be performed through Express Healthcare in College Park, MD. If you are experiencing symptoms, give us a call prior to visiting to find out what precautions you need to take to come in and get your test.

As COVID-19 continues to spread and evolve, with variants spreading rapidly, the full extent of the symptoms and complications of the infection are still being discovered. Some complications that have been noted are acute respiratory distress, often requiring the patient to be on a ventilator, pneumonia, septic shock and multi-organ failure.

Severe symptoms of COVID-19 include trouble breathing, persistent pressure or pain in the chest, new confusion, unable to stay awake or wake up and discolored nail beds, skin or lips with a blue or grey tinge. A severe COVID-19 illness can lead to hospitalization, intensive care, needing a ventilator to breathe, or could even lead to death. Some patients have experienced lingering symptoms for several months following their initial COVID-19 infection, such as loss of taste or smell, trouble breathing and a general feeling of fatigue and tiredness.

Express Healthcare in College Park, MD can help patients manage their COVID-19 illness and monitor for signs of complications. For more information, contact us today or schedule an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 4701 Melbourne Place College Park, MD 20740. We serve patients from College Park MD, New Carrollton MD, Berwyn Heights MD, White Oak MD, Seabrook MD, Laurel MD, Springdale MD, Mitchellville MD and surrounding areas.