I had my first Covid test today. I opted to do it "out of network," ie, with a private pharmacy rather than with Cedars. I arrived a few minutes early and a very nice pharmacy intern took me right away. In addition to being gentle with the nose swab she answered a number of questions. Apparently, there are 3 Covid tests, not just two: the PCR, which is the most reliable, a "rapid" Covid test, which is the same as the at-home test, and the antibody test, which tells you if you had Covid, but only in the last 3 months.
She assured me she would have the results tomorrow. The local chain drug stores cannot give that assurance -- they say up to 7 days.
I am glad you found a place you are comfortable with. I am sure I just got the 24 hour test. Did you opt to also find out if you have antibodies?
I am glad it didn't bother you as much as it bothered me, but then I do have some issues up there. My nerve endings seemed to be very sensitive.
Jane, I did not have the antibody test. It's $100 at this pharmacy and if I've had Covid in the last 3 months I've been asymptomatic. I did feel a little wonky for a few days last fall and quarantined just to be sure, but too much time has passed for the test to pick that up.
From what I've been told, not all pharmacies give you the results the next day. Same test, different turnaround time. The pharmacy intern told me that they have to really work at it to have the results ready the next day.
My procedure is scheduled for Thursday.
Vibes for a smooth and uneventful endoscopy!
