What to Do If You Have COVID Symptoms but Your Home Test Came Back Negative
There was a time when a positive COVID test result gave you confidence that you would not get re-infected for several months. Unfortunately, we no longer have a sense of short-term protection . In addition to staying safe with a well-fitting mask, it’s wise to receive free COVID tests in the mail and get tested regularly.
The good news is that home testing for COVID has never been more affordable. The bad: As you’ve probably heard (if you haven’t experienced it firsthand), home antigen tests aren’t exactly reliable.
The currently circulating strains of COVID , BA.4 and BA.5, are particularly good at avoiding detection with home antigen tests, experts say. Here’s what to do if your home test results are negative but you’re still experiencing COVID symptoms.
Why Your COVID Test May Be Negative
A negative test result cannot completely rule out an infection. If you have COVID symptoms (or have been exposed to COVID) but are comforted by a negative test result, several things may be happening.
BA.4 and BA.5 may take longer to prove themselves in home tests. Even if it’s not one of these highly transmissible strains, you may have taken the test too soon (you should wait at least five days after being exposed to the test). Similarly, your viral load may not be high enough to test positive even if you are infected with the virus.
Then there is the good old user error. Even before the current versions, home antigen testing has never been a perfect system. This does not mean that you should avoid them completely; Experts told CNBC that people should still use home antigen tests if they are experiencing symptoms or have been exposed to the virus.
CDC guidelines say that regardless of your situation, you should be retested one to two days after a negative test result . Make sure you store your home tests properly and consider having a PCR test if you can.
If symptoms appear, isolate
If you have COVID-like symptoms, you should assume that you are contagious, even if it ends up being something other than COVID. Better to stay at home and protect others. Remember, your “mild” symptoms may be much worse in someone else.
The bottom line is that if you feel bad, you are probably sick with something . A negative test result doesn’t make your physical symptoms magically imagined. Isolate and disguise yourself indoors. Even if it’s not COVID, no one wants what you have.