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If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or suspect you’ve had direct exposure to the virus, Fernando Porter, MD, of Capital City Primary and Immediate Care offers on-site COVID-19 testing in Silver Spring, Maryland. To schedule your coronavirus test in advance, call the friendly staff or book an appointment online with his office today.
COVID-19 testing is a diagnostic study to determine the presence of SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Testing shows whether you are currently infected with the virus, not whether you have had it in the past. A negative result indicates that you don’t have the virus at the time of the test; so if you develop symptoms later, you should get retested.
Dr. Porter and his team provide laboratory and rapid testing at the office to help curb the spread of COVID-19 within the community and help you stay healthy. They also screen each patient for signs or symptoms of COVID, regardless of the purpose of their visit.
At Capital City Primary and Immediate Care, Dr. Porter and the team offer two COVID-19 tests: the antigen test and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.
The COVID-19 antigen test detects specific proteins associated with SARS-CoV-2. The PCR test detects the virus’s genetic material and typically offers more accurate results overall, though both are reliable testing methods.
COVID testing involves collecting saliva from the nose or mouth using a sterile swab. Laboratory testing usually takes 1-4 days to get results, while rapid testing takes around 15 minutes. Dr. Porter may collect two swabs, one for rapid testing and one for laboratory testing, which confirms the rapid test results.
You should get tested for COVID-19 if you had direct exposure for 15 minutes or more to someone who has tested positive or has symptoms of COVID. It’s best to get tested 3-14 days after exposure for the most accurate results.
You should also get COVID testing if you have symptoms of COVID-19, including:
Most Medicaid and Medicare patients can get COVID testing free of charge. If you feel you need a test or would like to discuss COVID prevention or vaccinations with Dr. Porter, make an appointment today.
To ask about COVID-19 testing, including current wait times for the tests, call the office or schedule an appointment online with Capital City Primary and Immediate Care today.