COVID-19 and Your Health

Types of COVID-19 Tests

COVID-19 tests can detect either SARS-CoV-2 or biomarkers of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, or antibodies that your body makes after getting COVID-19 or after getting vaccinated.

Tests for SARS-CoV-2 tell you if you have an infection at the time of the test. This type of test is called a “viral” test because it looks for viral infection. Antigen tests, Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAATs) and other tests are viral tests.

Tests for antibodies may tell you if you have had a past infection with the virus that causes COVID-19. Your body creates antibodies after getting infected with SARS-CoV-2 or after getting vaccinated against COVID-19. These tests are called “antibody” or “serology” tests.

Testing is very important to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. You should always discuss your test results with your healthcare provider.

Viral Tests

• A viral test tells you if you are infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, using samples that come from your nose or mouth. There are two types of viral tests: rapid tests and laboratory tests. COVID-19 testing is one of many risk-reduction measures, along with vaccination, masking, and physical distancing, that protect you and others by reducing the chances of spreading COVID-19.
• Rapid Point-of-Care tests, test performed or interpreted by someone other than the individual being tested, can be performed in minutes and can include antigen tests, some NAATs, and other tests.
  • Self-tests are rapid tests that can be taken at home or anywhere, are easy to use, and produce rapid results.
• Laboratory tests can take days to complete and include RT-PCR and other types of NAATs.

Antibody Tests

An antibody test (also known as a serology test) can detect antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in your blood. Antibodies are proteins that your immune system makes to help fight infection and protect you from getting sick in the future.

Antibody tests should not be used to diagnose a current infection, but they may indicate if you had a past infection. Antibody tests help learn about how human immune systems defend against the virus, as well as learn about population-level protection. If you get an antibody test after receiving a vaccine, you might test positive by some (but not all) antibody tests. This depends on which type of antibody the specific test detects.

Antibody testing is not currently recommended to determine:

• If you have a current infection.
• If you have immunity to SARS-CoV-2 following COVID-19 vaccination.
• Whether you need to get a booster following COVID-19 vaccination.
• Whether you need to quarantine after a known or suspected exposure to COVID-19.

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Testing Tools

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