As the COVID-19 pandemic drags on, we all want ways to get our lives back to normal. Health experts agree that testing plays a key role here. If Americans have easy access to testing and take advantage of it, COVID-19 cases can get detected sooner, helping to minimize their spread.
That’s exactly why our team at Formé Medical Center and Urgent Care offers COVID-19 testing right here at our office in White Plains, New York. Not only is our testing conveniently accessible, but we also offer a variety of tests to meet your specific needs.
When, exactly, should you come in for a test? If your employer requires it or you need it to travel, that’s a fairly easy call to make. But there are a few other cases when you should also get tested, so let’s take a look.
If you have symptoms
This might seem obvious, but it can be challenging to tell if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or another illness.
To help, let’s outline the main symptoms of COVID-19:
- Shortness of breath
- A cough
- A sore throat
- Fever/chills
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- A runny nose/congestion
- Loss of taste or smell
- Muscle or body aches
- Nausea/vomiting
- Diarrhea
If you experience a sore throat on its own, for example, stay home and monitor it. However, if any of these other symptoms crop up, don’t hesitate to visit us for a COVID-19 test.
If you’ve been around someone with COVID-19
Because COVID-19 can be asymptomatic, meaning it doesn’t come with any symptoms, people might not always know if they have it.
That means that you could spend time with someone who doesn’t know they have COVID-19 at the time, but learns they do later.
At that point, to avoid unwittingly spreading the virus, it’s important that you get a test. Because you might not develop symptoms yourself, that’s the only way to know if you contracted COVID-19 from the person who has it.
If you’re getting ready to travel or see vulnerable people
Before heading to a new location or seeing someone with a high COVID-19 risk factor — like immunocompromised individuals and people over 65 — getting a test can help you rest easy. It’s a way to know if you can interact with others without potentially spreading the virus.
And because new variants like the delta variant are more contagious, this has become increasingly important.
The good news is that getting your COVID-19 test doesn’t have to be a hassle. We offer several types of tests, including the Molecular Rapid PCR and Antigen tests, right here at our office. For your convenience are open 365 days a year for COVID testing. Call our office to schedule your test.
