ANTIGEN TESTS:

• Whereas molecular tests require specialized equipment for processing samples, an antigen test is simpler, because it requires smaller devices that are easy to transport. Their design is similar to, say, a pregnancy test.

• How does the test work? Antigen tests search for pieces of protein from the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The sample you provide is treated with a reagent and analyzed on the spot by a health care professional. Unlike molecular tests, these require a higher level of virus in the test sample before the test will turn positive. This means that an antigen test may sometimes lead to a false negative.

• How is a sample obtained? As with molecular tests, a sterile swab is inserted into your nose or throat to obtain a specimen (see details above)—although throat swabs may be less common these days.

• How accurate are they? According to the CDC, antigen test sensitivity varies depending on the time in the course of one’s infection, but is considered to have “moderate to high” sensitivity during peak viral load. Compared to molecular tests, antigen tests are more likely to generate false negative results, especially when performed on people who don’t have symptoms.

PCR TESTS:

Still, for the diagnosis of people seriously ill (with a presumed case of COVID-19), doctors will generally use a PCR test, because false-negative tests might result in inadequate treatment.  

Travel

If you are traveling, you might be required to get tested, too. The location you are visiting might require a certain type of test and approved testing locations as well. 

Dr. Campbell says a PCR test probably makes the most sense for travel. “You want to detect the virus early, and the PCR test is the most sensitive for that to make sure you are not infectious for your trip,” he says, acknowledging that many places require a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours before boarding a plane.

Status updated on Dec 17, 2021

Due to the very high nationwide surge of cases due to the new Omicron variant, we and all other labs across the country are backlogged. As a result, the current time to receive results is:

The send-out COVID RT-PCR test: results can take between 4-5 days (sent to an outside laboratory). Results will be sent directly via email by the outside reference lab.

The Rapid Antigen Test that we perform at our on-site lab: expect results within 24 hours of your test. We call all patients that with positive results for the COVID rapid antigen test performed at the on-site lab.

The Rapid PCR test performed at our in-house lab (cash payment required): results sent via email in 6 hours. (all positive results will be called as well)

The first thing to check if you did not get your results is your spam mail.

1. Please confirm the time it takes to post results (above) With the surge, all labs are backlogged and taking longer.

2. Please check your spam mail

1. results from the send-out PCR will be from the email - bridgediagnositics.com

2. the in-house lab rapid antigen and/or rapid PCR test results will be sent from an aayuclinics.com address

3. Please confirm the accuracy of the email address you provided.

If you need to get tested for the COVID in Chicago, simply schedule online here, and arrive to one of our two locations at 1645 W School St, Chicago, IL 60657 OR 647 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60661

Symptoms of COVID-19 appear anywhere from 2 to 14 days after exposure.

Symptoms that may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus:

• Cough

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Or at least two of the following:

• Fever

• Chills

• Repeated shaking with chills

• Muscle pain Headache

• Sore throat

• New loss of taste or smell

If you develop any of these emergency warning signs for COVID-19, get emergency medical attention immediately: Trouble breathing

• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest

• New confusion or inability to arouse

• Bluish lips or face

All COVID testing is covered for free for those with active insurances. Restrictions apply.

Rapid PCR Tests are an out-of-pocket cost of $325

Antibody Blood Test (IgG) to detect remote COVID-19 infection is FREE with insurance, and $168 without insurance.

• Active COVID-19 infection Day 1-14 after symptom onset -nasal swab RT-PCR testing – allows for early case identification and informing close contacts, reducing spread at home or work

• IgG antibody response to COVID-19- after day 14-  informs of the presence of an antibody response

• Importantly, individuals who had a mild flu like illness that was in fact, COVID-19 -these individuals would have antibodies.

Timing Is Critical For Correct Testing

• Day 1-14 since onset of symptoms: Nasal swabs - COVID-19 (RT-qPCR)

• Day 14-21 after symptom onset: Nasal swab

• After Day 21 after symptom onset: IgG antibody blood test for COVID-19

Antibody testing should be performed only in individuals after symptom resolution to avoid false-negative results

Aayu Clinics is also providing COVID-19 vaccines at our Lakeview location so you can get fully vaccinated (including booster shots)!

We offer both Moderna and Pfizer Vaccines (as supply allows).

Visit our vaccination page to learn more!

Nasal swab: Quest Diagnostics performs the nasal swab RT-PCR.  Quest reports that the concentration of SARS-CoV-2 RNA that was successfully detected with at least a 95% detection rate was calculated as 136 copies/mL.  It is important to note that timing and adequate sampling determine this test's sensitivity.  Recent data show that RNA positive rates peaked in upper respiratory tract specimens at 7–10 days after symptom onset and then steadily declined after that.  Sensitivity also depends on an adequate sample being collected and the disease having advanced enough to have a higher number of viral RNA copies.

IgG antibodies:    We offer the Roche Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 igG Total Antibody test. Roche reports an overall test specificity of 99.81 % (99.65 – 99.91 %) and a sensitivity in patients 14 days after PCR confirmation to be 100% (88.1 – 100 %).

Both, Quest Diagnostics and Roche offer testing in accordance with the FDA Emergency Use Authorization Guidance.

Antibody tests, also known as serology tests, differ from the nasal- and throat-swab tests that can spot a current infection. Instead, these look for signs in the blood that the immune system had fought off an infection in the past.

But there are limits to what antibodies can reveal. With other infectious diseases, antibodies signal a measure of protection against getting sick again. No one knows if that is true of this virus, or, if it is, how long such immunity might last.

A positive test result with the qSARS-CoV-2 IgG/IgM test indicates that antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 were detected, and the patient has potentially been exposed to COVID-19. When IgM antibodies are present, they can indicate that a patient has an active or recent infection with SARS-CoV-2. IgG antibodies develop later following infection, and generally do not begin to appear until 14-21 days after infection. When IgG antibodies are present it, often indicates a past infection but does not exclude recently infected patients who are still contagious, especially if detected with IgM antibodies. 

Since most patients do not know the exact time when they contracted the virus, the combining both IgM and IgG tests provides a much higher test sensitivity and test specificity.

The presence of antibodies and immunity

It is unknown how long IgM or IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 will remain present in the body after infection and if they confer immunity to infection.

If you think you might have been exposed to the COVID-19, please set up a testing appointment at our Lakeview or West Loop Location immediately.

Average incubation 5-6 days (range 1-14)

From onset to max illness – usually about a week.

Recovery is about 2 weeks for mild to moderate disease but 3-6 weeks for severe disease.

We are testing for the presence of active coronavirus infection (nasal swab pcr test) and igg antibodies (blood test)

All COVID testing is covered for free for those with active insurances. Restrictions apply.

The CARES act will still cover testing:

• if you have MEDICAID, if you DO NOT have active insurance or SSN.

• regardless of citizenship status (non-US citizens can receive free testing)

We are performing nasal swabs for COVID PCR test as well as: antibody test, PCR, saliva, and cheeks swab tests in Chicago, IL. We are testing people with and without symptoms. Results for PCR tests take 1-3 days, Rapid PCR tests come back within 3 hours, and Rapid Antigen tests return within 30mins-1 hour.

We are COVID testing all those interested in knowing their results

• if you may have COVID-19 infection

• if you are an asymptomatic carrier

• if you would like to know whether you have antibodies to COVID-19

The COVID-19 antibody test looks for IgG antibodies in the blood to determine if your body has already responded to the novel coronavirus or if you have not developed antibodies (you have a higher risk of getting the virus if you do not have antibodies). Rapid antigen tests are the same type of test, giving sensitivity conclusions on the antibodies present in the body.

What Types Of Covid-19 Tests We Offer In Chicago ?

Non-RAPID PCR Test

RAPID PCR Test

Antigen Test

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We are performing nasal swabs for COVID PCR, Nasal Swab and covid antibody testing in Chicago IL. We are testing people with and without symptoms. We can expect the rapid COVID test results within 3 hours!

To Get A COVID Test Here:

1. You’ll need to schedule your appointment online.

2. You’ll come in for testing.

3. You’ll receive results shortly thereafter.