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As local businesses are starting to reopen, you may be interested in learning if you have been exposed to COVID-19, whether it is through an active case of the virus or past infection. AFC Urgent Care South Portland offers two separate tests to detect and diagnose exposure to COVID-19 after a telemedicine screening and by appointment only.
Diagnostic Swab Testing
In order to diagnose the active COVID-19 virus, AFC Urgent Care South Portland offers swab testing. After a telemedicine visit to go over your symptoms and their timeline with a member of our staff, you will make an appointment to visit our center for drive-up swab testing. A gentle swab will be taken of your lower nasal cavity, and the sample will be brought to our laboratory or partner lab for analysis. Results will be returned to you in 24-48 hours via a phone call. Diagnostic testing is performed seven days a week, as are telemedicine screenings.
Antibody Testing
Antibody testing is performed to detect the presence of antibodies in your blood and immune system. The test requires a blood draw, which is then sent to a lab for processing and analysis. Antibodies are a response to a virus formed by your immune system after an infection has healed. They typically require 10-14 days to develop and form. The presence of antibodies for COVID-19 indicates exposure to the virus as well as some immunity, though the length of the immunity is still being researched by doctors and scientists worldwide. Because of the time it takes to develop antibodies, you may need to wait to get tested for them. Antibody testing is recommended for people who are not exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, have experienced symptoms in the past or have had at least 14 days pass since their previous, positive COVID-19 test.
Which test is right for me?
During your telemedicine screening, you will be able to go over your symptoms and timeline with one of our trained medical professionals. If you are currently experiencing symptoms or have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the last week, you will be recommended for the swab test to diagnose whether or not you currently have an active case of COVID-19. If you exhibited symptoms of the coronavirus longer than 14 days ago and are asymptomatic, your doctor will recommend the antibody test to detect if you have been exposed to the virus.
COVID-19 Diagnostic & Antibody Testing in South Portland, ME
If you have previously been exposed to COVID-19 or are exhibiting symptoms of the virus, schedule a telemedicine visit with AFC Urgent Care South Portland today. We will be able to review your symptoms and schedule an appointment for testing. AFC Urgent Care South Portland can be reached by calling 207-407-7821.
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