This scanning electron microscope image shows SARS-CoV-2 (yellow)—also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus that causes COVID-19—isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells (blue/pink) cultured in the lab.
Accessed: 3/13/2020 https://www.niaid.nih.gov/news-events/novel-coronavirus-sarscov2-images
Credit: NIAID-RML
Accessed: 3/13/2020 https://www.niaid.nih.gov/news-events/novel-coronavirus-sarscov2-images
Credit: NIAID-RML
Preferred COVID 19 Testing Locations
Location: Phone: Web: Result Time Cost Test Type Test Method
AU Health Hotline (706) 721-1852 AU Health 12- 24 Hours Free PCR Nasal Swab/Saliva
DHEC:
USC Aiken (803) 670-2998 USC Aiken 24-48 hours Free PCR Saliva
Aiken True North Church (803) 670-2998 True North Church 36-48 hours Free PCR Saliva
Doctor's Care Doctor's Care Test Specific Ins/Self Pay PCR Nasal
(multiple locations) SP-$150.00 Rapid Nasal
SP-$125.00 C19 Antibody Blood draw
Location: Phone: Web: Result Time Cost Test Type Test Method
AU Health Hotline (706) 721-1852 AU Health 12- 24 Hours Free PCR Nasal Swab/Saliva
DHEC:
USC Aiken (803) 670-2998 USC Aiken 24-48 hours Free PCR Saliva
Aiken True North Church (803) 670-2998 True North Church 36-48 hours Free PCR Saliva
Doctor's Care Doctor's Care Test Specific Ins/Self Pay PCR Nasal
(multiple locations) SP-$150.00 Rapid Nasal
SP-$125.00 C19 Antibody Blood draw
| covid_19__testing_locations.xlsx |
PCR Testing: This is a send-out test. It is 99% specific. 80-90% accurate if collected and prepared for properly.
This is the preferred test due to it's accuracy.
Antigen Testing: This is the rapid, while you wait test. It is 99% specific, however only 33% accurate.
This test is helpful ONLY if you are having active symptoms. It is not helpful if you do not have any symptoms and providers will generally not order it without symptoms.
Sources:
Memorial Healthcare.org (2009, November 9). What's the Difference Between COVID-19 Rapid and PCR Tests Retrieved from: https://www.memorialhealthcare.org/whats-the-difference-between-covid-19-rapid-and-prc-tests/ Accessed: 2/9/21
This is the preferred test due to it's accuracy.
Antigen Testing: This is the rapid, while you wait test. It is 99% specific, however only 33% accurate.
This test is helpful ONLY if you are having active symptoms. It is not helpful if you do not have any symptoms and providers will generally not order it without symptoms.
Sources:
Memorial Healthcare.org (2009, November 9). What's the Difference Between COVID-19 Rapid and PCR Tests Retrieved from: https://www.memorialhealthcare.org/whats-the-difference-between-covid-19-rapid-and-prc-tests/ Accessed: 2/9/21
https://dph.georgia.gov/covid-vaccine
Monoclonal Antibody Treatment
South Carolina Department of Health:
scdhec.gov/health/infectious-diseases/viruses/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19
Georgia Department of Health:
https://dph.georgia.gov
Centers for Disease Control:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Health and Human Services:
https://www.hhs.gov/coronavirus/community-based-testing-sites/index.html
Do you always get a fever with COVID19?
Fever is a classic sign of COVID19. However, not everyone gets a fever.
How soon after i've been exposed to covid19 can i develop symptoms?
2-14 days after exposure. 2-5 is the most common.
If I get covid19, how long am i contagious?
You are considered contagious 2 days prior and 10 days after developing symptoms.
What is the difference between antibody testing and antigen testing?
Antigen testing or viral testing identifies fragments of the virus. It is recommended you be tested 7 days after exposure. The virus takes 5-7 days to be detected in respiratory tract after exposure.
If you have symptoms and suspect you have COVID, get tested right away.
Once you develop symptoms, the viral load begins to drop.
Antigen testing identifies fragments of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID19 symptoms. It determines, do you have it (the fragments) yes or no. It does not provide information on how long you've had it. The SARS-CoV-2 can be detected up to 3 months after infection. However, you are only contagious for 10 days.
Anti-body testing is used to detect if you have been exposed to the virus and developed anti-bodies to the virus. It is recommended that you get tested at least three-six weeks after having COVID19. It is not clear how long the anti-bodies remain and provide protection.
If you have symptoms and suspect you have COVID, get tested right away.
Once you develop symptoms, the viral load begins to drop.
Antigen testing identifies fragments of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID19 symptoms. It determines, do you have it (the fragments) yes or no. It does not provide information on how long you've had it. The SARS-CoV-2 can be detected up to 3 months after infection. However, you are only contagious for 10 days.
Anti-body testing is used to detect if you have been exposed to the virus and developed anti-bodies to the virus. It is recommended that you get tested at least three-six weeks after having COVID19. It is not clear how long the anti-bodies remain and provide protection.
why are some people affected and not others?
This is one of the most important questions about COVID19. And it's not well understood.
There are many variables to determining if you get sick and how sick after exposure to COVID19.
- Your personal immune condition.
- Your body's response to the virus.
- Chronic disease states that contribute to more severe infections.
- How much of the virus you were exposed to, and how long.
- Your genetics. Studies are finding that certain people are more likely to get sick than others.
There are many variables to determining if you get sick and how sick after exposure to COVID19.
- Your personal immune condition.
- Your body's response to the virus.
- Chronic disease states that contribute to more severe infections.
- How much of the virus you were exposed to, and how long.
- Your genetics. Studies are finding that certain people are more likely to get sick than others.
How do masks help decrease spread of covid19?
COVID19 is primarily spread by respiratory droplets and droplets that drop on surfaces.
Masks provide a barrier between droplets spread by talking, laughing, sneezing, coughing, singing.
If you wear a mask it blocks the droplets. If the person you're speaking with is wearing a mask, it reduces transmission by 93%. See video under 'More Information' tab for droplet spread.
I often hear, 'But masks aren't helping reduce the spread." Actually, they are. People who do not wear a mask are spreading COVID19. It only takes 2 people not using masks to get the virus moving from one person to another.
Remember, your chances of getting or giving it are reduced by 93% if everyone is wearing a mask.
www.bing.com/videos/search?q=respiratory+droplet+spread&&view=detail&mid=E3F721C043A3FD33EE46E3F721C043A3FD33EE46&&FORM=VRDGAR&ru=%2Fvideos%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Drespiratory%2Bdroplet%2Bspread%26qpvt%3Drespiratory%2Bdroplet%2Bspread%26FORM%3DVDRE
Masks provide a barrier between droplets spread by talking, laughing, sneezing, coughing, singing.
If you wear a mask it blocks the droplets. If the person you're speaking with is wearing a mask, it reduces transmission by 93%. See video under 'More Information' tab for droplet spread.
I often hear, 'But masks aren't helping reduce the spread." Actually, they are. People who do not wear a mask are spreading COVID19. It only takes 2 people not using masks to get the virus moving from one person to another.
Remember, your chances of getting or giving it are reduced by 93% if everyone is wearing a mask.
www.bing.com/videos/search?q=respiratory+droplet+spread&&view=detail&mid=E3F721C043A3FD33EE46E3F721C043A3FD33EE46&&FORM=VRDGAR&ru=%2Fvideos%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Drespiratory%2Bdroplet%2Bspread%26qpvt%3Drespiratory%2Bdroplet%2Bspread%26FORM%3DVDRE
How long does COVID last on surfaces and in the air: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQvhoFMdXJo
Handwashing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d914EnpU4Fo
How to clean your home for COVID19: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHCrYOGkLMM
Comparing mask wear vs. no mask: https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=respiratory+droplet+spread&&view=detail&mid=E3F721C043A3FD33EE46E3F721C043A3FD33EE46&&FORM=VRDGAR&ru=%2Fvideos%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Drespiratory%2Bdroplet%2Bspread%26qpvt%3Drespiratory%2Bdroplet%2Bspread%26FORM%3DVDRE
Handwashing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d914EnpU4Fo
How to clean your home for COVID19: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHCrYOGkLMM
Comparing mask wear vs. no mask: https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=respiratory+droplet+spread&&view=detail&mid=E3F721C043A3FD33EE46E3F721C043A3FD33EE46&&FORM=VRDGAR&ru=%2Fvideos%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Drespiratory%2Bdroplet%2Bspread%26qpvt%3Drespiratory%2Bdroplet%2Bspread%26FORM%3DVDRE