With so much information being thrown at us online, on the news, and on the radio regarding Covid-19, it can be stressful to find the right answers you are seeking. The UrgentMED operates more than 21 locations throughout California to better serve patients, which can make getting a Covid-19 test in Los Angeles much easier. Our walk-in clinic in Los Angeles will help you understand the difference between Covid-19 tests and diagnostic tests in this post.

The Covid-19 Test vs the Covid-19 Antibody Test

There are two main tests you can undergo when it comes to the Coronavirus: the Covid-19 test and the Covid-19 antibody test. These are two very different tests. Below, you will find the differences between the two tests:

The Covid-19 test in Los Angeles should be taken by someone who has exhibited the symptoms. It tells you if you have Covid-19. It’s administered using a swab of your nose, and tells you if you are positive or negative.

The Covid-19 antibody test at our walk-in clinic in Los Angeles tells you if you had Covid-19 or might have been exposed to it. It is administered using a blood draw. It should be taken by anyone who believes they were exposed to the virus. The results tell you if your body developed antibodies to fight off the virus.

Do I Need to Exhibit Certain Symptoms to Get Tested?

Most facilities will require that you exhibit a list of symptoms prior to undergoing a Covid-19 test in Los Angeles. However, with more widespread testing available, you might not need to have all of the following symptoms in order to get tested:

• Fever
• Dry cough
• Loss of taste or smell
• Tight chest
• Difficulty breathing

Furthermore, if you work in healthcare, have been exposed to someone who tested positive, were identified through contact tracing, have been hospitalized for an unrelated issue, or live in a situation where social distancing is not possible; you can undergo testing at a walk-in clinic in Los Angeles for Covid-19.

Does Testing at a Walk-In Clinic in Los Angeles Reduce the Spread of Covid-19?

The short answer is yes, testing does help reduce the spread of Covid-19. This is due to people testing positive then self-quarantining so they do not spread the virus to others. People who test positive can also alert those they’ve been around in the last two-plus weeks that they tested positive. And in turn, they should also go get tested. 

It’s important to note that there are no Covid-19 tests available that are 100 percent accurate. False negatives can occur, which means you might have Covid-19 but the test results come back negative. You should still follow the guidelines issued by the CDC and your local health department.

Schedule a Covid-19 Test in Los Angeles Today

If you have exhibited any of the symptoms outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is important that you schedule a Covid-19 test in Los Angeles at our walk-in clinic in Los Angeles today. Visit our Los Angeles location at 11560 West Pico Boulevard or call (310) 477-8285 to schedule an appointment for testing.