COVID-19 Testing

Summit Primary Care

Family Medicine located in Denver, CO, Colorado Springs, CO, Pueblo, CO & La Junta, CO

While treatments for COVID-19 are continually improving as doctors learn more about the disease, sadly, many people are affected. At Summit Primary Care, you can discover if you have COVID-19 or have had it in the past with their rapid viral tests and antibody screening. The practice has three locations in Denver, Colorado Springs, La Junta, and Pueblo, Colorado, that all conduct COVID-19 testing. Call Summit Primary Care to find out more or book your test online today.

COVID-19 Testing Q & A

What is COVID-19 testing?

COVID-19 testing comes in two forms:

Viral test

A viral test shows whether you currently have COVID-19. If you do, the Summit Primary Care team can support you while you recover and advise you on preventing the infection from spreading to others.

If your test is negative, you could still contract COVID-19, so you must continue to follow the current medical guidance and take preventive measures.

Antibody test

An antibody test tells you if you've already had COVID-19. It works by identifying antibodies that your immune system creates when exposed to the virus. Antibodies are unique to each virus, providing your body with a defense against future infection.

However, having COVID-19 antibodies doesn't necessarily mean you can't get the disease again, as it's currently unclear how much protection these antibodies provide.

Why might I need COVID-19 testing?

You might need COVID-19 testing if you have symptoms of the disease. You might also need to be sure you're free of infection for your job, caring responsibilities, and other personal considerations.

COVID-19 is a new disease strain that spreads rapidly. It's a type of coronavirus with many forms – some cause familiar illnesses like the common cold. For most, COVID-19 causes mild to moderate symptoms, but it's potentially life-threatening for some patients.

Risk factors for experiencing serious illness and complications from COVID-19 include:

Being overweight or obese
Having serious underlying conditions such as heart and lung diseases or diabetes
Your age

The older you are, the more likely it is for COVID-19 infection to cause complications and death.

What symptoms might indicate I need a COVID-19 test?

Typical symptoms of COVID-19 include:

Fever or chills
A new, continuous cough
Loss of taste or smell
Shortness of breath or problems breathing
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
Sore throat
Nasal congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea

Symptoms of COVID-19 can appear anywhere from 2-14 days after you come in contact with the virus. During that time, you could be spreading the infection without realizing it.

Some people are asymptomatic, meaning they have COVID-19 but don't have any symptoms. Whether you have symptoms or not, you can still spread the infection.

Summit Primary Care offers rapid COVID-19 testing so you can make sure you're safe. Call the office or book your test online today.