Edward-Elmhurst Health Q&A: I need a COVID-19 test, now what?

If symptoms of COVID-19 recently developed, or if a family member or close contact with has developed symptoms, you should get a COVID-19 test.

A COVID-19 test checks for the presence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

I think I need a COVID-19 test. How do I get one?

If someone has symptoms of coronavirus or suspect they may have it, they should call their primary care physician. The doctor can determine whether a test is needed and order one.

Edward-Elmhurst Health has a screening options for COVID-19 page, www.eehealth.org/coronavirus/screening-options, which includes a symptom checker and COVID-19 Nurse Triage Line (331-221-5199) to help with next steps.

Once there is a physician order, patients can schedule an appointment for a test at one of Edward-Elmhurst Health’s outpatient lab locations. They can also visit one of our Immediate Care or Walk-In Clinic locations to be evaluated and tested for COVID-19.

Testing is available to Illinois residents at Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) testing sites throughout the state. These testing sites are open to all, regardless of symptoms. The IDPH also lists statewide testing locations at www.dph.illinois.gov/testing.

I don’t have COVID-19 symptoms, can I still get a test?

If someone is asymptomatic but has had close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, they should contact their primary care doctor. While waiting to take a test and while waiting for test results, isolate at home to avoid potentially infecting others.

I don’t have COVID-19 symptoms, but I want to know if I’ve had it. What can I do?

Serology tests, or tests that look for COVID-19 antibodies, may reveal whether someone had a past infection. It can take days to weeks to develop antibodies that could be detected by a test after a COVID-19 infection.

At this time, it’s unknown how long antibodies remain in the body after an infection. It’s also unknown whether the antibodies will protect someone from future infection.

An order for antibody testing is required from your Edward-Elmhurst Health primary care physician and can be scheduled through Central Scheduling at 630-527-3200.

I tried to get a COVID-19 test, but I couldn’t get one. Now what?

Unfortunately, in many cases there are restrictions on who is eligible for a COVID-19 test due to limited testing capacity. High-priority groups currently include symptomatic healthcare workers, first responders, elderly people and anyone with pre-existing chronic conditions.

The IDPH offers guidance on who should be tested, but decisions about testing are at the discretion of state and local health departments, health systems and/or individual clinicians.

If someone develops COVID-19 symptoms, they can call their primary care physician, schedule a virtual screening visit, or visit one of our Immediate Care or Walk-In Clinic locations to be evaluated for potential testing.

If they were not tested but have symptoms that are like a respiratory infection, they should still "self-isolate" until:

• At least 10 days since the start of symptoms; AND
• At least 24 hours after your fever ends (without the use of fever reducing medication like acetaminophen or ibuprofen); AND
• They have significant improvement in respiratory symptoms (including cough, shortness of breath).

If symptoms worsen, contact the doctor to see if an order for testing would be appropriate.

When will I get my COVID-19 test results?

It could take 3 to 7 days to get test results. If someone was tested at Edward-Elmhurst Health, they will receive their COVID-19 test results through their MyChart® account or from their doctor’s office.

What should I do after I get my COVID-19 results?

If a test is positive, remain isolated for at least 10 days from when your symptoms started or, if there are no symptoms, from the date of the test. Continue to remain isolated until 24 hours have passed without a fever (without fever-reducing medication) and other symptoms have improved. If someone was very ill, their doctor may determine they need to isolate longer, up to 20 days after the start of symptoms.

People who test positive should think about who they may have been in contact with in the two days before their symptoms started or they got their test. Those contacts might need a COVID-19 test, too.

If a test is negative, even if someone feels healthy and has no symptoms, self-quarantine for 14 days after the last exposure to COVID-19. A negative result before the end of a quarantine period does not rule out possible infection. If symptoms develop, a second test may be needed.

For more information, visit www.eehealth.org/coronavirus.