Should I Isolate If I Have COVID-19 Symptoms But My Test Is Negative?
COVID-19Common questionShould I isolate if I have COVID-19 symptoms but my test is negative?• If you have symptoms of COVID-19: - You may have received a false negative test result and still might have COVID-19. You should isolate away from others. Contact your healthcare provider about your symptoms.
Can someone test negative and later test positive on a viral test for COVID-19?
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.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) frequently asked questions
Should I keep isolating myself if I tested negative for COVID-19 after five days of the exposure?
If you got tested on the fifth day after exposure or later and the result was negative, you can stop isolation after seven days. While in quarantine, watch for a fever, shortness of breath or other COVID-19 symptoms. Those who are experiencing severe or life-threatening symptoms should seek emergency care immediately.
How long does it take after exposure to test positive for COVID-19?
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.
CDC 2019 Novel Coronavirus (nCoV) Real-Time RT-PCR Diagnostic Panel - Healthcare Provider Fact Sheet
What does it mean if I test negative for COVID-19?
See full answerA negative test result means that the virus that causes COVID-19 was not found in your sample. However, it is possible for this test to give a negative result that is incorrect (false negative) in some people with COVID- 19. You might test negative if the sample was collected early during your infection.You could also be exposed to COVID-19 after your sample was collected and then have become infected. In particular, people infected with COVID-19 but who have no symptoms may not s
COVID-19 RT-PCR Test - Patient Fact Sheet