5 Smart Reasons to Get Clinically Tested for COVID

COVID-19 still has a tight hold on the world. New variants continue to pop up, deepening the challenge to stay ahead of the virus. Without the proper testing, it's easy to confuse COVID symptoms with the common cold and continue to spread it.

The only surefire way to contain COVID-19 is through clinical testing. Home tests are only somewhat reliable; they can give false negatives. The best way to ensure your health is to go to an urgent care or doctor who offers COVID testing on-site.

The Prudent Medical Providers team offers same-day, on-site COVID testing to ensure you keep your loved ones – and yourself – safe. Our three certified nurse practitioners understand the need to contain the virus. That’s why they offer quick and efficient testing.

Symptoms of COVID

Unfortunately, the virus behind COVID-19 produces symptoms that mimic many other conditions, including the flu and the common cold. It takes an actual COVID test to determine if you have the virus.

The most prevalent signs and symptoms of COVID include:

• Fever
• Chills
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Body aches
• Sore throat
• Congestion
• Loss of smell or taste

The symptoms of COVID vary from person to person and may be mild, moderate, or severe. Symptoms typically set in within 2-14 days after exposure to someone with the virus.

If you think you may have COVID, it's essential to test yourself to ensure you don't spread the condition to others.

Five reasons to get clinically tested

Staying at home may seem like the obvious option for a COVID-19 test, but there are better ways to determine if you really have the virus. Getting clinically tested in an office is crucial to containing COVID-19 and ensuring you receive the proper treatment.

There are many reasons to seek a professional testing site for COVID symptoms. Among them are these five:

1. The symptoms are close to other viruses

COVID symptoms are very similar to those of other conditions, but COVID spreads very easily. Getting a test at an urgent care or a doctor's office yields the most accurate results to ensure the virus stays contained.

2. Keeping your loved ones safe

Because the COVID virus spreads so easily, you’re protecting your loved ones and your community by getting testing. If you test positive for the virus, you can quarantine yourself, potentially keeping others from contracting it.

3. Helps with variant tracking

Although variant tracking isn't something you're aware of after clinical testing, it helps the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention keep track of the types of COVID variants. Identifying the variants helps the CDC come up with more accurate numbers and enhances the effectiveness of new boosters.

4. Determines if you can have antiviral medications

For some, antiviral medications are the best option to stay safe from the dangerous consequences of COVID. The sooner you test after you begin having symptoms, the more likely it’s possible you can receive antiviral medications to help you fight COVID efficiently and quickly.

5. Ensures precise results

At-home testing is one way to try to determine if you have COVID, but there is a more reliable option. Home tests may have false negatives and user errors.

Clinical testing removes the user error from the equation and is a better option for clear and precise results. The sooner you realize you have COVID, the sooner you can protect yourself and others.

It's important to note that there are different forms of clinical testing for COVID. Our team offers PCR and antigen tests for the most accurate results.

Call us today at one of our Prudent Medical Providers offices in Tacoma or Federal Way, Washington, to schedule a COVID-19 test or request a telehealth appointment here on the website.