Ashley Hunter
ECB Publishing, Inc.
You’ve developed a fever, a concerning cough and breathing has become difficult, with your lungs always feeling short of breath.
With the current concerns over COVID-19 swirling in your head, you know you likely need to be tested in order to determine whether you are sick - or not - with the coronavirus, but you have no idea where to call, what to expect or how to go about getting tested.
Some of those questions, and more, have been answered by Pam Gilleland-Beck, with the Jefferson County Department of Health.
“Where do I get tested?”
According to Gilleland-Beck, anyone who is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should first call their primary care doctor and arrange a test for the virus. The cost of the test will depend on their health insurance and primary doctor’s agreed copay amount.
At the moment, the local department of health office is only offering free COVID-19 testing to healthcare workers who have been exposed to the virus.
Those who do not have health insurance or a primary care doctor, Gilleland-Beck says can call their local health department in order to be directed to a federally qualified health center or another nearby clinic that will provide a COVID-19 test. The cost of a test in those centers or clinics will depend on income levels.
“What is the test like?”
Currently, testing for COVID-19 can be done through nasalpharynx swabs or oralpharynx swabs.
These swabs are either inserted through the mouth into the throat or through the nose into the sinuses.
While the tests are hardly comfortable, they only last a few seconds and are the most reliable way to obtain samples for COVID-19.
Someone who has been recently tested stated that the tests are “unpleasant, but not painful.”
The purpose of the tests is to obtain samples of the secretions that can be found in the uppermost part of the throat, behind the nose.
This is the best way to collect cultures for respiratory illnesses, such as COVID-19.
To make the swab test go quickly and reduce discomfort, health care professionals are advising those being tested to relax, rest their heads back and take deep breaths.
“How will I be informed of my test results?”
According to Gilleland-Beck, people will be informed of a test result via phone call.
“What should I do if I’ve been in contact with someone who is being tested?”
If you have recently been in contact with someone who is currently waiting for their COVID-19 test results, it is advised to go ahead and self-isolate yourself until the test results come back.
If the test returns as negative, you may go back to your normal life.
If the test is positive, however, you are advised to quarantine yourself for 14 days (starting on the day you were exposed). During that time, you should monitor your health to ensure that you are not also developing COVID-19 symptoms.
If your home is shared with a COVID-19 patient, attempt to put as much distance between yourself and your housemate as possible; this may mean isolating in separate parts of the house, not sharing bathrooms and other preventative measures to control spread.
If you develop a fever, cough, sore throat or shortness of breath, you should call your health care provider or the health department to arrange your own test.
“I’m positive for COVID-19, what do I do now?”
Go home, rest, and stay away from others is the short answer.
If your test result comes back positive, Gilleland-Beck says the health department will issue instructions to isolate yourself - although it is advised to go ahead and begin isolation while awaiting test results.
COVID-19 patients should also work with their local health department in contacting anyone who they might have been in contact with recently; alerting others to your illness is important in preventing further spread of the coronavirus.
In addition to those two things, the health department advised COVID-19 patients to work with their health care provider if they need medical care - if they do not, then they are advised to rest and recover from home.
If symptoms worsen and become severe, patients should call the Jefferson County EMS for assistance. If you contact EMS paramedics, be sure to let them know that you tested positive for COVID-19, so that the first responders can properly prepare to give you the best level of care while also protecting themselves from contracting the virus.
“Should I be tested if I’ve been around a COVID-19 patient, even if I’m not showing symptoms?”
No. You do not need to be tested if you are not showing symptoms.
The current COVID-19 pandemic has many people worried, concerned and uncertain - but staying educated about the virus and how it can be prevented is the first step in overcoming this current health crisis.
For additional questions or to arrange assistance in obtaining a COVID-19 test, contact your local health department at (850) 342-0170.
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