How to Understand a Positive or Negative Result of a Coronavirus Test

Krullad

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posted on 5 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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Getting tested for COVID-19 can be really nerve-wracking, especially when your lab results come back. If you took a viral or diagnostic test, otherwise known as a nasal swab, you just need to look for a “positive” or “negative” on your form.[1]
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Once you’ve confirmed your test results, you’ll be better equipped to share the news with your friends and family members, if necessary. Don’t panic if you test positive—many, many people have been in your shoes, and have easily survived the illness with some rest and recuperation at home.[2]
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Johns Hopkins Medicine
Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital

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Steps

Reading Your Results

See if the results say “negative” or “positive” on a diagnostic test. Scan through the document and look for the words “positive” or “negative.” A positive test result means that you currently have the virus, while a negative test result means that you don’t have it. Keep in mind that COVID-19 results only apply to the day you took the test.

Schedule another test if your results are inconclusive. On some test results, you may see the words “unclear,” “borderline,” “void,” or “inconclusive” written on the document. These phrases mean that, for some reason or another, the lab can’t determine if you have the virus or not. In the event that this happens, call your doctor and reschedule a new test as soon as you can. You can usually hear back with your results within 3 days.

Accept that your results may not be completely accurate. As is the case with any medical test, there’s no guarantee that your results are 100% correct. These tests are generally accurate, and you shouldn’t need to take another one.

Coping with a Positive Result

Stay home and rest until your symptoms are gone. Give yourself plenty of time to rest and recover if you’ve come down with COVID-19. Do your best to quarantine yourself from your friends and family so you don’t risk spreading the virus to them. To be safe, quarantine yourself for 10 extra days once your symptoms disappear. If you don’t develop symptoms but have positive test results, you should still quarantine so you don’t risk spreading anything.

Distance yourself from friends and family as you recover. Section yourself in a separate room or area of your home, which will help prevent the spread of the virus. Stay in your own personal bubble for at least 10 days as you recover. If you live with a roommate or relative, instruct them to quarantine for 2 weeks as an extra precaution. Quarantining can be hard, but there are plenty of ways to stay entertained!

Expect a call from a contact tracer if you test positive. Contact tracers are healthcare employees who aim to figure out where you’ve been and who you’ve been in touch with in the past few weeks. Be prepared to answer a few basic questions about what you’ve been up, so the contact tracer can let others know if they were exposed.

Seek medical assistance if you experience severe symptoms. Monitor your symptoms carefully as you recover from COVID-19. If you’re having difficulty breathing or experiencing frequent chest pain, call your doctor for advice. If you feel like you’re in immediate danger, dial 911 or an equivalent emergency line to get the help you need. Don’t panic if you experience these symptoms. Instead, wait for a medical professional to examine your symptoms.

Dealing with Negative Results

Return to your normal schedule if your results are negative. Check with your family members and roommates to see if they tested positive or negative. If your whole household is negative and you’re feeling healthy, you don’t need to worry about quarantining yourself. Double-check with your employer to make sure you’re allowed to return to work, even if your results are negative.

Wait several days to see if symptoms develop even if your results are negative. Keep in mind that test results only apply to the day you received the test. As unpleasant as it is to consider, you could’ve been exposed in the following days. With this in mind, keep tabs on your health, and let a healthcare professional know right away if you’re feeling under the weather. Fever, chills, headache, body aches, tiredness, difficulty breathing, vomiting, and diarrhea are all common signs of COVID-19.

Go back to work if you’ve been symptom-free for 10 days. Keep tabs on your symptoms as you continue to relax and recuperate at home. Check your temperature on a regular basis—once you’ve gone at least 1 day without a fever and have gone 10 days without symptoms, you can safely return to work without worrying about infecting anyone else. Double-check that you can go 1 day fever-free without using any medication.