What kind of COVID test should I get?

[iemanja]

I was recently in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID. I made an appointment for a PCR test on Tuesday. That's the kind where you have to wait about 72 hours for a result. I somehow thought they were most accurate, but I'm not sure.

My question: Is the PCR test the way to go? It was the quickest appointment I could get. Or is there another form of test that is preferable?

[Generic Brad]

1. Florida has a stockpile of expired ones for you

So if you want useless, ineffective ones, they've got you covered.

[Maru Kitteh]

2. PCR is absolutely the most accurate. If you can get your hands

On a POC (antigen) test for quicker (but less accurate) results I would suggest looking for Abbott BinaxNOW.

[iemanja]

4. the rapid tests are harder to get appointments for

I think because they are in higher demand.

[Maru Kitteh]

9. If your county health department has any

They would be the ones to call but if your area is like mine, there’s none to be found.

[Ms. Toad]

8. BinaxNow has a fair number of false negatives.

My daughter went back to work on the strength of a false negative about 4 hours before the positive results of her PCR came back.

[Maru Kitteh]

12. Yes, that is without a doubt it's biggest drawback, and that of

Antigen tests in general. It holds especially true with the asymptomatic.

[Ms. Toad]

13. Both my daughter and I were very symptomatic at the time of 4 negative antigen tests.

We don't know that I had COVID (since my PCR was also negative). But we know she did (her PCR was positive) - and her symptoms, 6 days later, were identical to mine (just multiplied by a factor of 2 or 3).

[Maru Kitteh]

16. This causes me to have concerns the tests used were outdated

or perhaps stored in properly, and/or control ttestsfor not done? The only thing I could say for certain is that it is anomalous with my experience and data I have seen

[Ms. Toad]

18. They seem to be less able to detect omicron

than delta and earlier versions.

Excerpt reported in Kaiser Health News on 1/6

The New York Times: Emerging Data Raise Questions About Antigen Tests And Nasal Swabs
A small, new real-world study suggests that two widely used at-home antigen tests, the Abbott BinaxNOW and Quidel QuickVue, may fail to detect some Omicron infections even when people are carrying high levels of the coronavirus. The study, which has not yet been peer-reviewed, focused on 30 people infected with the virus at five workplaces that experienced what were most likely outbreaks of the Omicron variant in December. The people received both saliva-based P.C.R. tests and rapid antigen tests using nasal swabs. (Anthes and Jewett, 1/5)

https://khn.org/morning-breakout/can-at-home-tests-detect-omicron-early-enough-study-raises-doubt/

It's a small, not yet peer-reviewed article, but it matches our personal experience and lots of informal news reports about antigen tests.

[Maru Kitteh]

19. So strange. I'm beginning to wonder if another variant or hybrid is at play.

The state has informed us a high % of our cases in the last 2 weeks were Omicron (they won’t give is a number or tell us who). #1 We didn’t know they were sequencing them. #2. Almost all of our positive cases found were collected in the last 10 days.

My closest coworker with 3x vaccinations now has COVID. And now, I wait.

[Ms. Toad]

20. My daughter was boosted less than 2 months ago.

Pfizer x 2, + a booster.

I haven't seen any local sequencing, but we had a 54% positivity rate last week at the drive-through sites (PCR).

I think it's just omicron, and that it is moving to fast for us to get a good handle on it (severity, death rate, which tests work, etc.)

[iemanja]

11. the binax is out of stock

everywhere I've looked.

[ProfessorGAC]

17. Same Here

I stopped at a Walgreen's for something else.
Sign on front door says "We are temporarily out of the Binax Now Test Kit. Sorry for the inconvenience."
So, out of curiosity I looked at the Walgreen's website and found no store within 50 miles (they have a drop down where you can select the radius) that had them in stock.
The biggest pharmacy chain (although the 2nd most stores) can't get them in a major metro area.

[Haggard Celine]

3. They gave me both.

I had to wait 3 and a half hours to get tested, but they did the 15 minute test first, then decided to do the PCR test to make sure. Thankfully, I passed both. They tested for flu as well as Covid. It only took a day to get the PCR test back, but I'm sure that all depends on where you are. Get both if you can.

[viva la]

5. PCR is good, but you'll have to wait up to 2 days for results

You could ALSO take a rapid antigen test (!5 minutes). They test something different, so between the two, you can be pretty sure of the results.

I ordered 2 home kits ($30) from Ro-- yes, it's the distributor for hair-regrow product (the pharmaceutical grade), but they also have covid tests. I ordered Mon and it arrived Wed.
With these home tests, you can do what is now recommended-- swab the back of your mouth BEFORE you swab your nose, as the Omicron apparently is most present in your throat.

10 minute results.

https://bit.ly/ro-covid-test

[iemanja]

6. thanks, but there is a warning message at your link

[viva la]

10. Probably because I shortened it- try this one

Covid tests $30

[Ms. Toad]

7. PCR tests are the most accurate.

The antigen tests are missing a lot of cases.

[BlueSpot]

14. PCR tells you if you have the virus...

Antigen test tells you if you are contagious.

I think you want PCR, based on your post.

[iemanja]

15. thanks

I'll go ahead with that.

[Sapient Donkey]

21. I think you're right about the PCR test being the best

I got mine done at CVS last wednesday. I had to schedule it out a week, and I got my results back today. I'm guessing the slight delay over what they said was due to the increase volume of testing since this new variant.

Turns out I have the 'vid. Which sucks because I tried so hard to not get it. I guess there is only so much we can do (or not do). I am vaccinated and had my booster, but I think I got my booster a couple days before I was exposed. I might have even be in the early stages when I go my booster.

Good luck.

[iemanja]

22. I'm sorry to hear that

I hope your symptoms are mild, as in so many of the breakthrough cases.