FAQs on Coronavirus Diagnostic and Antibody Testing

What are the different types of COVID-19 tests and what do they all mean?

Because of the rapid developments in testing, there has been some confusion around the different types of COVID-19 tests being offered. Here is what you need to know about testing being offered at Scripps Health:

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Tests

What is it?

The CDC recommends a COVID-19 test called a nasopharyngeal swab which checks samples from your respiratory system (such as swabs of the inside of the nose) to tell you if you currently have an infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

How does it work?

A care provider in protective gear will ask about your symptoms and take your temperature. They will then put a special 6-inch cotton swab up both sides of your nose and move it around for about 15 seconds. It won’t hurt, but it might be uncomfortable. We then test the fluid on the swab to detect the presence of the virus.

Because of recent advances, test results are available very quickly.