We collect cookies to analyze our website traffic and performance; we never collect any personal data.Cookies Policy
Accept
Michigan Post
Search
  • Home
  • Trending
  • Michigan
  • World
  • Politics
  • Top Story
  • Business
    • Business
    • Economics
    • Real Estate
    • Startups
    • Autos
    • Crypto & Web 3
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Beauty
    • Art & Books
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • Education
Reading: Covid-19 At-Home Testing and PCR, Rapid Testing Questions: What to Know
Share
Font ResizerAa
Michigan PostMichigan Post
Search
  • Home
  • Trending
  • Michigan
  • World
  • Politics
  • Top Story
  • Business
    • Business
    • Economics
    • Real Estate
    • Startups
    • Autos
    • Crypto & Web 3
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Beauty
    • Art & Books
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • Education
© 2024 | The Michigan Post | All Rights Reserved.
Michigan Post > Blog > Top Story > Covid-19 At-Home Testing and PCR, Rapid Testing Questions: What to Know
Top Story

Covid-19 At-Home Testing and PCR, Rapid Testing Questions: What to Know

By Editorial Board Published December 24, 2021 4 Min Read
Share
Covid-19 At-Home Testing and PCR, Rapid Testing Questions: What to Know
22well virustesting facebookJumbo

“If you can’t get tests, you have to decide how much risk you’re willing to take,” said Dr. Robert Wachter, professor and chairman of the department of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. “Would I still get together if I couldn’t find a test? In a relatively low risk situation, with everyone boosted and vaccinated and everyone feels fine, I probably would. If someone is at high risk and I couldn’t get a test, I think I’d be inclined to have people wear masks and keep the windows open. I’d do the best I could to keep everyone as safe as possible.”

Contents
Timing of TestsWhen is the best time to test if I was exposed to an infected person?Is it possible to test too early?When should you retest if your first test is negative?

Timing of Tests

When is the best time to test if I was exposed to an infected person?

Omicron moves fast, and many public health experts say people with potential exposures to the virus should test sooner than advised for previous variants. The current guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says vaccinated people don’t have to quarantine if they have had close contact with someone who has Covid-19, but that they should get tested five days later. Testing experts, however, say that’s probably not soon enough for Omicron.

A recent outbreak of Omicron Covid infections in Norway after a holiday office party in November gives us clues about the best time to test based on how quickly an Omicron exposure can “convert” to an infection, said Dr. Wachter. The party was held in a restaurant on a Friday, and everyone was vaccinated. Of 80 confirmed and suspected cases, nearly 75 percent were detected on the Sunday, Monday and Tuesday after the party. That suggests that the best times to test are on days 2, 3 and 4 after exposure.

Updated 

Dec. 25, 2021, 10:20 a.m. ET

So if you think you’ve been exposed to an infected person, or you’ve been traveling through airports and are worried that you picked up the virus, the best time to start testing is probably on day 2 and 3 after the event. If you can, test daily or every other day at least through day 6. And if you know you were exposed to an infected person, it’s a good idea to limit your contacts and mask up around others for about a week after the exposure.

Is it possible to test too early?

Yes. Don’t test immediately after an exposure or high-risk gathering and assume you are in the clear, since it can take a few days for the virus to reach detectable levels. “Doing it too soon is like a pregnancy test,” said Dr. Panagis Galiatsatos, a pulmonary and critical care medicine physician at Johns Hopkins Medicine. “If you test too soon, it means nothing.”

The advice changes if you already are experiencing Covid symptoms. In that case, you should get tested right away. Try taking a rapid test on the day symptoms start, and if that’s negative, take another test a few days later.

When should you retest if your first test is negative?

If your first test is negative after you’ve had a known exposure (or attended a high-risk gathering), you should test again two or three days later, taking precautions in the interim.

TAGGED:Content Type: ServiceCoronavirus (2019-nCoV)Coronavirus Omicron VariantCoronavirus Risks and Safety ConcernsLaboratories and Scientific EquipmentMedicine and HealthParties (Social)ProteinsQuarantinesSpitting (Expectoration)Tests (Medical)The Washington MailVaccination and Immunization
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Copy Link Print

HOT NEWS

'Prisoner of my own residence': Ionia lady claims struggling because of neighbor’s frequent firing of huge caliber weapons

'Prisoner of my own residence': Ionia lady claims struggling because of neighbor’s frequent firing of huge caliber weapons

Michigan
July 11, 2025
The Greatest Self-Tanners for Particular Pores and skin Wants This Summer time

The Greatest Self-Tanners for Particular Pores and skin Wants This Summer time

Fortunately we’ve progressed (for probably the most half) previous the times of tanning beds and…

July 11, 2025
Liverpool retires quantity 20 shirt in any respect ranges in honour of Diogo Jota

Liverpool retires quantity 20 shirt in any respect ranges in honour of Diogo Jota

Liverpool have retired the quantity 20 shirt in honour of Diogo Jota - the primary…

July 11, 2025
Sen. Slotkin and others introduce invoice to require ICE officers to show ID

Sen. Slotkin and others introduce invoice to require ICE officers to show ID

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) -- U.S. Sens. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Cory Booker (D-N.J) and Alex Padilla…

July 11, 2025
Gas to engines of Air India airplane reduce off moments earlier than crash, preliminary report finds

Gas to engines of Air India airplane reduce off moments earlier than crash, preliminary report finds

Gas to the engines of the Air India airplane that crashed final month seems to…

July 11, 2025

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Redditors from r/wallstreetbets Call Attention to Possibility that an SEC Investigation of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella May Soon be Filed

The notorious subreddit r/wallstreetbets (notable for temporarily sending the stock of GameStop to record highs in January 2021 by inducing…

Top StoryWorld
November 23, 2023

Cube Studios collaborates with Lazzarini Design Studio to bring the Pangeos concept to the Fortnite Metaverse

Cube Studios, a team of professionals creating immersive experiences in Fortnite for brands, has collaborated with Lazzarini Design Studio to…

Top StoryWorld
March 28, 2023

Universities and Their Discontents: The Murder of Mathematics in the Name of Learning

An Essay for Readers of Michigan Post, and the University of Michigan Dr. Jonathan Kenigson, FRSA Mathematics is not to…

Top StoryWorld
January 21, 2023

INTERNATIONAL HIP HOP STAR BT THE ARTIST SET CHANGE MUSIC IN UPCOMING ALBUM BIG DREAMS & BIG PLANS

Boston-based International Hip Hop Superstar BT THE ARTIST has released music since 2018. He has garnered international recognition for his…

Top StoryWorld
December 10, 2022

Welcome to Michigan Post, an esteemed publication of the Enspirers News Group. As a beacon of excellence in journalism, Michigan Post is committed to delivering unfiltered and comprehensive news coverage on World News, Politics, Business, Tech, and beyond.

Company

  • About Us
  • Newsroom Policies & Standards
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Careers
  • Media & Community Relations
  • Accessibility Statement

Contact Us

  • Contact Us
  • Contact Customer Care
  • Advertise
  • Licensing & Syndication
  • Request a Correction
  • Contact the Newsroom
  • Send a News Tip
  • Report a Vulnerability

Term of Use

  • Digital Products Terms of Sale
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Settings
  • Submissions & Discussion Policy
  • RSS Terms of Service
  • Ad Choices

© 2024 | The Michigan Post | All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?