Table of Contents
- 1 What are consequences of a false negative COVID-19 test?
- 2 Does a negative result rule out the possibility of COVID-19?
- 3 Can someone test negative and later test positive on a viral test for COVID-19?
- 4 Can the COVID-19 molecular test give false negatives?
- 5 Can patients who have recovered from COVID-19 continue to have detectable SARS-CoV-2 RNA in upper respiratory specimens?
- 6 Are COVID-19 molecular tests more accurate than antigen tests?
What are consequences of a false negative COVID-19 test?
Risks to a patient of a false negative test result include: delayed or lack of supportive treatment, lack of monitoring of infected individuals and their household or other close contacts for symptoms resulting in increased risk of spread of COVID-19 within the community, or other unintended adverse events.
Does a negative result rule out the possibility of COVID-19?
A negative result does not rule out COVID-19 and should not be used as the sole basis for treatment or patient management decisions. A negative result does not exclude the possibility of COVID-19.
What does it mean if I have a negative rapid test result?
What does it mean if I have a negative rapid test result? A negative test result means that proteins from the virus that causes COVID-19 were not found in your sample. It is possible for this test to give a negative result that is incorrect (false negative).
What does a negative COVID-19 test result mean?
If you test negative, you probably were not infected at the time your sample was collected. The test result only means that you did not have COVID-19 at the time of testing. Continue to take steps to protect yourself.
Yes, it is possible. You may test negative if the sample was collected early in your infection and test positive later during this illness. You could also be exposed to COVID-19 after the test and get infected then. Even if you test negative, you still should take steps to protect yourself and others. See Testing for Current Infection for more information.
Can the COVID-19 molecular test give false negatives?
Molecular tests are typically highly sensitive for the detection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. However, all diagnostic tests may be subject to false negative results, and the risk of false negative results may increase when testing patients with genetic variants of SARS-CoV-2.
What does a negative COVID-19 antigen test result mean in asymptomatic persons?
Negative test results using a viral test (NAAT or antigen) in asymptomatic persons with recent known or suspected exposure suggest no current evidence of infection. These results represent a snapshot of the time around specimen collection and could change if tested again in one or more days.
How long can you test positive for COVID-19?
>People who have recovered from COVID-19 can continue to test positive for up to 3 months after their infection.
Can patients who have recovered from COVID-19 continue to have detectable SARS-CoV-2 RNA in upper respiratory specimens?
• Patients who have recovered from COVID-19 can continue to have detectable SARS-CoV-2 RNA in upper respiratory specimens for up to 3 months after illness onset in concentrations considerably lower than during illness; however, replication-competent virus has not been reliably recovered and infectiousness is unlikely.
Are COVID-19 molecular tests more accurate than antigen tests?
Molecular tests are generally more accurate and mostly processed in a laboratory, which takes longer; antigen tests—which are sometimes referred to as ‘rapid tests’—are processed pretty much anywhere, including in doctor’s office, pharmacies, or even at home.
Is the PCR test for COVID-19 accurate?
PCR tests remain the gold standard for detecting an active COVID-19 infection. The tests have accurately detected COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began. Highly trained clinical professionals are skilled at correctly interpreting PCR test results and notices like this one from the WHO.