How Soon Can I Test For COVID-19?

Epicentre News • 17 July 2020

This article will explain when you can test for COVID-19. A COVID infection is fast, and in some cases life-threatening. It’s very important to know how soon you can test for COVID.

You can test for COVID-19 5 days after you have been exposed to the virus.

In South Africa having a COVID test result can be the difference between getting into hospital, so we all need to understand that, to book a COVID test with Epicentre:

• You DO NOT need to wait 7 days
• You need to wait 5 days after you think you touched or breathed in the COVID virus
• You DO NOT need a doctors referral
• You Do NOT need to be showing symptoms
• You just need to make an online booking

As many people around us are getting sick, it’s crucial for us to not only understand if we have the virus, but to understand the stages of being sick with the virus. We need to know this information, so we can protect our loved ones and know when to call for help.

While many people are asymptomatic, for some the virus may affect them mildly at first and then suddenly turn bad. Our resident Epicentre epidemiologist has scoured academic articles and compared what the world’s scientists are discovering with what we can see happening to our patients.

Take a close look at the graph below and its explanation; then look at Dr. Carmen’s video, one of Dr. COVID Angels who was infected with the virus herself in April.

• Day (-)5: patients exposure to COVID-19 happens. After 5 days their infection will officially ‘begin’.
• Day 0-2: 5 days after their initial exposure, their infection will ‘happen’ in these first 2 days
  • They will become contagious in those first 2-3 days, but will show no symptoms
  • You can test at this point because your infection has officially begun
• Day 3: Their symptoms will appear
  • But for 80% of people, they will have no symptoms or a mild case of COVID-19
• Day 5-7: This is a crucial period of days as it is at this point that many people go into hospital if they have a serious case of the virus. Some patients may have a “mild” case of the disease in the very beginning, but their symptoms may get worse over the course of the first week or more & then they may need hospitalization.
  • Those who need hospitalization normally reach this point of needing additional health support on day 5 to 7 after their symptoms start (Wang, et al).
  • These patients should be on the lookout for any worsening ability to perform normal activities or tasks at home due to ‘shortness of breath’. These patients should immediately contact their doctor.
  • These patients need to take a copy of their positive COVID-19 results & get checked again at a healthcare facility.
• Day 14: If you had a mild case and are symptom free, you can stop isolating.

Dr. Carmen James and Epicentre talk about what to do and what not to do if you become infected with COVID.

Epicentre & Dr. Carmen James, one of the first COVID positive South African doctors examines how you can be ‘asymptomatic’ for COVID-19 and still be contagious!

Dr. Carmen James and Epicentre talk about what to do and what not to do if you are caring for a loved one who has COVID.

Epicentre & Dr. Carmen James look at what medications you need to treat COVID-19 symptoms at home!

Dr. Carmen, was one of the first South African doctors to have the novel coronavirus. She gives us some tips as a doctor & patient herself!

Epicentre & Dr. Carmen James look at when you should seek additional medical attention.

Dr. Carmen, was one of the first South African doctors to have the novel coronavirus. She gives us some tips as a doctor & patient herself!