Should I be tested for COVID-19? 3 signs you may need the test – KFOR Oklahoma City

DALLAS (NEXSTAR) With a limited number of tests available for COVID-19, whether or not you can get tested for the virus depends on where you live and how bad your symptoms might be. If youre wondering whether you should be tested, here are three signs you might need to contact a medical professional:

You show common symptoms and are in a prioritized group

The main symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough and shortness of breath.

Initially, the CDC was only recommending testing for peoplewith exposure to an infected person.However, all that changed once community spread was confirmed in theUnited States. In response, the CDCchanged its recommendations to allow anyone with COVID-19-like symptoms to betested as long as a doctor approved the request.

Maureen Ferran, Associate Professor of Biology at RochesterInstitute of Technology, noted its not feasible to test everyone who is sickin the US. In an article published by The Conversation, Ferran wrote mosthealth officials believe it is important to prioritize the testing of peoplewho need it the most: those at high risk such as health care workers who havebeen in contact with COVID-19 patients; symptomatic people in areas with highinfection rates; and people 65 years of age and older with chronic healthissues, such as heart disease, lung disease or diabetes.

The CDC says you should get immediate medical attention ifyou experience any of these COVID-19 emergency warning sings: troublebreathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or inabilityto arouse and bluish lips or face.

Exposure to an infected person

If youre considered a close contact who has been exposed toa lab-confirmed case of COVID-19, youre considered high-priority. In some cases, doctors have asked asymptomaticpeople to monitor their temperature and quarantine. In other cases, theyve chosen to give thosepeople COVID-19 tests.

If youve been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you shouldcontact a medical professional for further guidance.

The CDC has guidance for who should be tested, but decisions about testing are at the discretion of state and local health departments and/or individual clinicians.

You make it through Apples COVID-19 screening site

Apple on Friday released a website and an iOS app that allow users to screen themselves for coronavirus symptoms, marking another response to the pandemic by a major tech platform.

Both tools were developed in partnership with the Centersfor Disease Control and Prevention, as well as the White Houses CoronavirusTask Force and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Apple said in astatement to CNN Business. The app and website include a questionnaire andinformation about the novel coronavirus.

The software may suggest you self-isolate, seek professional medical advice or try to get tested.

(A portion of this was republished fromThe Conversationunder a Creative Commons license. Read theoriginal article.)

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Should I be tested for COVID-19? 3 signs you may need the test - KFOR Oklahoma City