Covid Testing

COVID testing provides a quick and convenient way to determine if you’ve contracted COVID-19. At Mederi Urgent Care in the Melrose Hill neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, the team of primary care physicians offers several types of COVID testing, including molecular tests and antigen tests. Call Mederi Urgent Care today to schedule a COVID testing appointment for yourself or your child, or book your visit online. 

What is COVID testing?

COVID testing refers to several lab procedures that screen for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). COVID-19 is a contagious and potentially serious upper respiratory infection that causes various symptoms, including congestion, dry cough, and difficulty breathing. Undergoing a COVID test can confirm if you’re contagious and determine the best treatment approach.

When should I consider COVID testing?

Schedule COVID testing at Mederi Urgent Care if you develop symptoms like:

• Fever and chills
• Dry cough
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache

That’s especially true if your symptoms continue for more than a few days and don’t improve with at-home treatments, like rest, drinking plenty of fluids, and taking over-the-counter (OTC) decongestants.

COVID testing is quick, convenient, and pain-free. It can confirm a COVID-19 diagnosis and guide treatment. 

Are there different types of COVID testing?

The Mederi Urgent Care team offers several types of COVID testing, including:

Molecular tests, also known as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing

A molecular test analyzes a mucus or saliva sample for genetic material produced by the COVID-19 virus. These tests are “the gold standard” of COVID-19 diagnosis and provide accurate results about 95% of the time.

Antigen tests

Antigen tests analyze a sample of your mucus or saliva for specific viral markers called antigens. If your sample contains COVID-19 antibodies, the antigen test binds to them, causing a positive result. Antigen tests provide quicker results than molecular tests, but they aren’t as accurate.

Antibody tests

An antibody test analyzes a sample of your blood for COVID-19 antibodies — proteins that your immune system creates in response to a COVID-19 infection or vaccination. It typically takes one to three weeks for the immune system to create antibodies. As a result, this type of test is rarely used to diagnose current COVID-19 infections.

What if my COVID-19 test is positive?

If your COVID-19 test comes back positive, it means you’re contagious with the COVID-19 virus. Stay home for at least five days and avoid direct contact with others to prevent the virus’s spread.

If you have to leave home, wear an N95 or KN95 mask and stay at least six feet away from others. Wash your hands often with soap and warm water, and cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing.

Call Mederi Urgent Care today to schedule COVID testing for yourself or your child, or book an appointment online.