COVID-19: Testing and Recovering at Home

Diagnostic tests can find the virus that causes COVID-19 in oropharyngeal samples. Some tests have results in less than an hour, but others take 1-2 days to get results. So, what are the types of covid tests and recovery after corona treatment?

Currently, there are two types of tests being used to diagnose COVID-19: diagnostic tests and antibody blood tests. Diagnostic tests examine respiratory samples (such as oropharyngeal secretions) to determine if you are currently infected with SARS-CoV-2 - the virus that causes COVID-19. Antibody tests, also known as serological tests, are used to check your blood for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Antibodies are proteins that help the body fight off germs. A serologic test may not detect it if you have recently had an infection, as it can take 1 to 3 weeks for antibodies to develop after symptoms appear.

Not everyone needs to be tested for COVID-19. Here is some information that can help you make decisions about having diagnostic testing done. At this time, there is no specific treatment for people with COVID-19.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC) provides guidance for who should be tested, but the final decision on whether you get diagnostic testing is up to your doctor. at the health department.
At the end of April, the US Food and Drug Administration (Food and Drug Administration) authorized the circulation of a diagnostic test kit for covid-19 that allows you to collect respiratory samples at home. However, you will still need to send your specimen to a laboratory for analysis.
When results are available:
If you test positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), have protective steps to take if you are sick or you need to take care of someone. If you test negative for COVID-19, you probably weren't infected at the time your sample was collected. However, that doesn't mean you won't get sick. It is possible that you will develop an infection later on, and when that happens, the test result will be positive. In other words, a negative test result doesn't mean you won't get the disease later on. Therefore, you still need to take measures to protect yourself and others.

Antibody testing, also known as serology, by looking for antibodies in your blood if you have been infected with the virus. Depending on when infected and when tested, the test may not find antibodies in someone who has been infected with COVID-19. Antibodies are proteins that help fight germs. Therefore, serological testing should not be used as the only way to diagnose someone who is currently ill with COVID-19.
If you test positive:
A positive test result shows that you have antibodies that are likely due to infection with SARS-CoV-2 or possibly another coronavirus. If you don't have symptoms, you probably have a dormant infection and don't need close monitoring. If you have symptoms of the disease and meet other guidelines for testing, you will need additional nucleic acid testing. This test uses respiratory samples to confirm COVID-19 infection for certain, as serological tests alone cannot confirm whether you have COVID-19 for sure. It is possible that you could test positive for antibodies and you may not have or have ever had symptoms of COVID-19. In this case, you would be classed as having an infection but no symptoms. If you test negative:
If you test negative for COVID-19 antibodies, you probably didn't have a previous infection. However, you may already have an infection. You can still get sick if you have recently been exposed to the virus and antibodies have not appeared within 1 to 3 weeks of being infected. Some people may take longer for the body to produce antibodies, and some people may not be able to produce antibodies at all. If you have symptoms of the disease and meet other guidelines for testing, you will need additional nucleic acid testing. This test uses respiratory samples to confirm COVID-19 infection for certain, as serological tests alone cannot confirm whether you have COVID-19 for sure.

About 8 out of 10 people with COVID-19 have only mild symptoms. However, mild cases of COVID-19 can still make you feel tired. You can rest at home and make a full recovery without going to the hospital.
According to the World Health Organization, for mild cases it can take 2 weeks for your body to completely heal. For people with severe or critical illness, recovery can take up to 6 weeks.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC) guidelines recommend that if you are sick, you should isolate at home until you meet all of the following conditions:
You have not had a fever for 72 hours (3 days) without antipyretics Symptoms are improving, although may not go away completely It has been at least 7 days since symptoms appeared or you have had two negative COVID-19 tests 24 hours apart. Recovering from severe COVID-19
About 14% of people with coronavirus need to stay in the hospital for breathing assistance and this can last 2 weeks or more. Some people with severe COVID-19 develop a complication called acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which can damage the lungs and make it very difficult to breathe. For severe cases, the person may need treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU). Many patients who spend time in the ICU experience weight loss and possibly memory problems afterward.

There is currently no treatment regimen for COVID-19. Experts recommend the following measures that can speed healing similar to how you can take care of a cold or flu:
Eat healthy foods. If you feel hungry, fuel your body with essential vitamins and nutrients. Limit sugary or processed foods like cookies and soda. If you have anorexia, you don't have to force yourself to eat a lot. Drink a lot of water. You should drink water even if you don't feel thirsty or don't feel like drinking. Antipyretic. Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen if you have a fever or body aches. However, a total of 3,000 milligrams should not be taken within 24 hours. Full rest. If symptoms get worse, call your doctor or go to a treatment facility.

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