Since one of the symptoms of COVID-19 is a fever, many health officials require businesses to do a temperature screening on anyone entering the building. These temperature checks were meant to be an easier form of COVID-19 testing because it was said to identify if a person is sick or not. 

Businesses had to quickly find infrared thermometers to check for fevers. If someone came into a business with a fever, they are to be turned away and be advised to seek medical attention. This went for guests and employees. 

Is it Effective?

Health officials say it is only one part of a much larger picture. It is effective to the point where a fever is a sign of COVID-19, however, it has been shown that every person reacts to the virus differently. Some people who are sick with the virus never get a fever or any other symptoms at all. Some health experts say that temperature checks will catch some cases but not all. 

There are many variables that go into temperature screenings being an effective form of COVID-19 testing. Some people are taking over the counter medications for other ailments like Tylenol for a headache which can actually suppress a fever. So this means a person can have COVID-19 and still pass a temperature screening.

Other Types of COVID-19 Testing

Temperature screenings although part of the bigger picture are not the most effective COVID-19 testing. The most surefire way to determine if you have COVID-19 is to receive an antigen or nasal swab test. The antigen test takes fifteen minutes to garner results and tells you if you have an active coronavirus infection.

It is said that positive results are accurate but that negative results should be sent off for further testing. The traditional nasal swab test takes one to three days to transmit results and is seen as more accurate than the antigen test. It will also tell you if you have an active infection. The test requires a deep nasopharyngeal swab which is why many people find it uncomfortable.

Symptoms of COVID-19

Knowing when to get COVID-19 testing is also important. Some locations do not have a big supply of testing kits so they will require you to meet certain specifications to get an appointment to be tested. Many locations will require you to be showing symptoms of COVID-19, which can include:

• fever
• nausea
• headache
• vomiting
• chills
• shortness of breath
• loss of taste
• loss of smell

Visit UrgentMED for COVID-19 Testing

If you are not showing any signs of COVID but you have been around someone who has tested positive you may also be eligible to go in for COVID-19 testing. Some locations make you fill out paperwork prior to scheduling your appointment. If you meet the requirements for a test you will be able to make an appointment.

Testing positive will also mean that anyone you have been in contact with over the last two days will also need to quarantine and get tested. As testing becomes more widely available, requirements may lessen. A vaccine has also been found and distribution will soon begin. If you need COVID-19 testing, visit our website to see where one of our nearest locations is for you.