Covid 19 Testing in Irvine CA Orange County
COVID-19 or coronavirus has created havoc all across the world and is considered to be a global pandemic. It has resulted in a nation being shut down with drastic effects on the world economies and health systems. COVID 19 testing is done to identify the coronavirus among the individuals and is mainly conducted through Polymerase Chain Reaction Test (PCR). It helps to detect Influenza A, Influenza B, H1N1, and other antibodies produced due to the virus. Serology is another type of method used as it shows the presence of antibodies, i.e. whether the person has been infected at some point in the past, whether they show the symptoms or are asymptomatic.
The PCR test is conducted by using a swab by taking a sample of mucus from the back of the throat or a saliva sample. In the PCR test, the enzyme ‘polymerase’ is used to duplicate a segment of a patient’s DNA i.e. to create the copies. It all depends on how the DNA segment gets copied. Some viruses like SARS-COV-2 are made of RNA instead of DNA, in such a case, a process called as reverse transcription is used to convert RNA into DNA, after which the duplication process takes place. Duplication leads to the creation of copies that are then exposed to fluorescent DNA binding that shows whether there’s the presence of a virus or not. According to the scientist and researchers, this process takes approximately 4-6 hours to a day. However, this test is only valid in the first week of the disease because later the virus disappears from the throat, however, it continues to spread itself further in the body especially the lungs.
Coming to our nation, India is conducting the PCR test in two stages:
STAGE 1: testing the genetic elements commonly found in the body because of the presence of coronavirus.
STAGE 2: SARS-COV-2 specific tests that detect the presence of this virus only.
Nations affected by this virus are regularly conducting these tests with the motive to detect, cure, and minimize the presence of the virus among the citizens. Statistics show that, as of 22 April, the countries that published their testing data have on average performed a number of tests equal to only 1.2% of their population, and no country has tested samples equal to more than 13% of its population.
Testing is the key to keep track and find out the extent of the spread of the virus. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct regular tests, especially in the most affected areas to detect and avoid further cases. It helps us to identify the infected individuals and efficiently guide them to appropriate medical resources thus helping them as well as the people around. One of the important requirements is the gathering of the data. The data about the number of confirmed cases in a region is necessary to understand the growth levels of the pandemic. It is also mandatory that the government provides accurate information about the spread of the virus, detected cases, confirmed cases and deaths to the public so that they understand the gravity of the situation.
‘Social distancing’ and ‘quarantine’ are the precautions given by the government for the public to follow, however, the priority should be focussed on conducting as many tests as possible. Through a continuous chain of testing, chances are we might be able to curb this grave situation before it affects people in increased numbers or gives rise to the second wave of the pandemic. The probability that a person has had COVID-19 after a positive result from the test is less than 50%. They might show symptoms that the test must have detected or it might be because they were detected positive in the past. However, there are ample chances of people getting cured through regular precautions taken against respiratory diseases.
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Article Source:- https://orangecountycovidclinic.blogspot.com/
Why Covid-19 infections affect people differently?
Coronavirus is said to be a novel virus i.e. it is a new strain of the virus that has not been identified before in any animal or human, leading to a lot of uncertainties regarding the effect of the virus on different people. It is observed that the COVID-19 affects different people differently; for some, it may start with coughing fits and fever, others may experience muscle aches and lack of taste, while some may even be asymptomatic.
A concrete explanation of why this novel virus has different effects on different people is not yet concluded, however, it is closely associated with the immune system of the person. It depends on how your immune system responds to the spread of the virus in your body. Once the virus enters your body, it starts replicating at an immense rate, that’s when your immunity power gets triggered and acts as a resistor to fight and stop the spread of the virus. The immunity power of each person’s body differs, resulting in varied behavior of Covid-19 infection among people.
The extent of the virus also depends on the body’s resistance against the unwelcomed virus. A person might get so sick that they need to be hospitalized, while some infected people may get cured just by following home-quarantine. There were many other strains of coronavirus that had affected mankind in the past, namely MERS-CoV, which caused infections in the Middle East, and SARS-CoV, which caused the 2003 SARS outbreak. The new COVID-19 spreads in the same way as the previous strains of coronavirus i.e. by attacking the human respiratory system causing similar symptoms as the common flu, however, this strain of the virus is much better adapted to humans beings causing a grave number of cases all over the globe.
People having poor health conditions or pre-existing health problems like heart disease, respiratory problems, diabetes or cancer are likely to get affected adversely and can have life-threating COVID-19 infections. Some people may get really sick while some people may not have any problem. There are various factors because of which COVID-19 infections affect people differently but researchers are still not able to find the core reason behind this unusual behavior.
Some researchers stated that the type of blood also affects the spread of the virus in the body cells. People having ‘Type O’ blood have a protective effect as compared to the people having ‘Type A’ blood. ‘Obesity’ to is one of the factors influencing the spread of coronavirus. However, these are just statements by the researchers and there is no substantial evidence to confirm the same. Various researches are carried out extensively to understand the prime factors responsible for coronavirus.
‘Age’ is also a factor that was highly affected by the intensity of the virus in the human body; it was observed that people above the age of 60 are at higher risk of getting coronavirus.
A robust immune response can fight the virus when your body asks for help against the infection caused by the virus. The immune response of the body can be high or low, the body should have the ability to develop the right amount of immunity at the right time to control the virus. An inappropriate immune response can lead to a reverse reaction that may end up attacking your body instead of the virus.
Worldwide, it is seen that around 80% of the people heal without any complications however, 1 out of every 6 people having coronavirus can become seriously ill which may lead to death. The condition of the person worsens if the virus in the body worsens, causing pneumonia or other infections that become difficult to cure.
As of now, there’s no substantial proof to back up the main reason of why COVID-19 affect people differently, however, following the basic hygiene practices, eating healthy food and keeping your body fit and fine, will help your body fight and kill the COVID-19 infections.
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COVID-19: Stages and Treatment | Orange County Covid Clinic
Rapid Coronavirus Test In Irvine CA Orange County.
COVID-19: Stages and Treatment
COVID-19 can be cured at home if necessary restrictions and guidelines are followed. It depends on the extent the disease has spread in one’s body that influences the decision of whether one should self-quarantine at home or get admitted to a hospital. If you feel that your body is showing severe corona-virus symptoms such as regular coughing episodes leading to shortness of breath, muscle aches and tiredness, it is necessary to get admitted in the hospital as doctors in the hospital will provide you necessary advanced treatment and facilities that can’t be acquired at home.
If your condition is serious, the doctors will want to run a few tests to understand the extent of the spread of the virus in the body. Initially, the possible things that doctors in the hospital will do are:
- Level of oxygen in your blood will be checked with a clip-on finger monitor
- Chest X-ray or CT scan
- COVID-19 test which involves putting a cotton swab at the far-end of your throat and both sides of the nose.
If your condition seems to deteriorate, you may be provided with extra oxygen through your nostrils via tubes. The doctors keep a keen watch on your breathing pattern and monitor the spread of the virus in the lungs, to heal them, and make them capable enough to produce oxygen again on their own. Patients having severe COVID-19 infections are thoroughly monitored by doctors and are given proper anti-viral medications for the same. Doctors may also advise you to keep a check on your respiratory hygiene practices or guide you to follow special quarantine guidelines to reduce the virus and curb its spread.
Coronavirus can actually be characterized into various stages based on the severity of the symptoms and the condition of the patient. Accordingly, doctors in hospitals provide appropriate individualized treatment based on the patient’s condition. These stages are precisely characterized by the type of biological contact of the people with the virus.
The initial phase is when the person has a slight infection and shows mild symptoms like cold or flu. It is during this stage that the virus multiplies rapidly in the infected person’s body. In this early stage, doctors may suggest you undergo ‘Convalescent plasma treatment’ i.e. plasma from the already recovered patients is transferred to the patients to reduce the viral infection, thus speeding the recovery.
The next stage is when the virus has attacked the immune system thus disabling its efficient functioning. This phase also called the pulmonary phase results in the formation of blood clots and respiratory conditions like shortness of breath, intense coughing feats, etc. At the stage, doctors suggest the use of tPA (tissue plasminogen activator), which helps in the breaking of blood clots.
Next stage i.e. the hyperinflammatory phase is when increased virus in the immune-system starts causing injuries to kidney and heart. This is a risky stage and can be fatal. During this time, doctors suggest anti-inflammatory medications like corticosteroids or tocilizumab. To prevent blood clots in the blood vessels and capillaries, an anti-clotting drug ‘Herpin’ is used in all the stages.
Due to these stages, doctors believe in giving personalized treatments to the patients depending on their situation. Although these are the various treatments that the doctors suggest to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the body, there is no cure to this novel coronavirus disease yet. Doctors in the hospitals, all over the globe are trying their best to provide patients with the best possible treatment to reduce the causalities.
For Covid Tests Contact Us At Rapid Covid Test In Irvine CA Orange County.
Article Source:- https://orangecountycovidclinic.blogspot.com/
What's The Best Place To Get A Covid 19 Test in Irvine?
Now that we’re several months into the COVID-19 pandemic, steps we need to take to effectively control the outbreak have become clear: conscientious prevention measures like handwashing and distancing, widespread testing with quick turnaround times, and contact tracing. None of these is easy to maintain over a prolonged period. But combined, they are our best bets while awaiting better treatments and an effective vaccine.
So, which tests to use?
The many types of tests available are sowing considerable confusion. Unfortunately, because this novel coronavirus is indeed novel, and COVID-19 is a new disease, information about these tests is incomplete and the options for testing keep changing. But here’s what we know now about tests designed to diagnose a current infection, and those that show whether you previously had the virus.
Diagnostic tests for current infection
If you want to know if you are currently infected with the COVID-19 virus, there are two types of tests: molecular tests and antigen testing.
Molecular tests (also called PCR tests, viral RNA tests, nucleic acid tests)
How is it done? Nasal swabs, throat swabs, and tests of saliva or other bodily fluids.
Where can you get this test? At a hospital, in a medical office, in your car, or even at home.
What does the test look for? Molecular tests look for genetic material that comes only from the virus.
How long does it take to get results? It depends on lab capacity. Results may be ready the same day, but usually take at least a day or two. Throughout the pandemic, especially lately, delayed turnaround times of up to a week or two have been reported in many places.
What about accuracy? False negatives — that is, a test that says you don’t have the virus when you actually do have the virus — may occur. The reported rate of false negatives is as low as 2% and as high as 37%. The reported rate of false positives — that is, a test that says you have the virus when you actually do not — is 5% or lower.
A molecular test using a deep nasal swab is usually the best option, because it will have fewer false negative results than other diagnostic tests or samples from throat swabs or saliva. People who are in the hospital, though, may have other types of samples taken.
You may have heard about pooled testing, in which multiple samples are combined and a molecular test is performed on them. This could speed up the testing of large numbers of people and reduce the number of tests needed.
If a pooled test is negative, the people whose samples were combined are told they have a negative test and individual testing is unnecessary. But if the pooled sample tests positive, each of the individual samples that were taken will then be tested to see which person(s) is responsible for the positive pooled result.
This approach may be particularly helpful in settings where the number of infections is low and declining, and most test results are expected to be negative. For example, in a community where the infection seems to be under control and reopenings of schools and businesses are planned, pooled testing of employees and students could be an effective strategy.
Antigen tests
How is it done? A nasal or throat swab.
Where can you get these tests? At a hospital or doctor’s office (though it is likely home testing will soon be available).
What does the test look for? This test identifies protein fragments (antigens) from the virus.
How long does it take to get results? The technology involved is similar to a pregnancy test or a rapid strep test, with results available in minutes.
What about accuracy? The reported rate of false-negative results is as high as 50%, which is why antigen tests are not favored by the FDA as a single test for active infection. However, because antigen testing is quicker, less expensive, and requires less complex technology to perform than molecular testing, some experts recommend repeated antigen testing as a reasonable strategy. According to one test manufacturer, the false positive rate of antigen testing is near zero. So, the recent experience of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, who apparently had a false-positive result from an antigen test, is rare.
Get Tested For Coronavirus Within Minutes Orange County
Tests for past infection
Antibody tests (also called serologic testing)
How is it done? A sample of blood is taken.
Where can you get these tests? At a doctor’s office, blood testing lab, or hospital.
What does the test look for? These blood tests identify antibodies that the body’s immune system has produced in response to the infection. While a serologic test cannot tell you if you have an infection now, it can accurately identify past infection.
How long does it take to get results? Results are usually available within a few days.
What about accuracy? Having an antibody test too early can lead to false negative results. That’s because it takes a week or two after infection for your immune system to produce antibodies. The reported rate of false negatives is 20%. However, the range of false negatives is from 0% to 30% depending on the study and when in the course of infection the test is performed.
Research suggests antibody levels may wane over just a few months. And while a positive antibody test proves you’ve been exposed to the virus, it’s not yet known whether such results indicate a lack of contagiousness or long-lasting, protective immunity.
The true accuracy of tests for COVID-19 is uncertain
Unfortunately, it’s not clear exactly how accurate any of these tests are. There are several reasons for this:
- We don’t have precise measures of accuracy for these tests — just some commonly quoted figures for false negatives or false positives, such as those reported above. False negative tests provide false reassurance, and could lead to delayed treatment and relaxed restrictions despite being contagious. False positives, which are much less likely, can cause unwarranted anxiety and require people to quarantine unnecessarily.
- How carefully a specimen is collected and stored may affect accuracy.
- None of these tests is officially approved by the FDA. They are available because the FDA has granted their makers emergency use authorization. And that means the usual rigorous testing and vetting has not happened, and accuracy results have not been widely published.
- A large and growing number of laboratories and companies offer these tests, so accuracy may vary. At the date of this posting, more than 170 molecular tests, two antigen tests, and 37 antibody tests are available.
- All of these tests are new because the virus is new. Without a long track record, assessments of accuracy can only be approximate.
- We don’t have a definitive “gold standard” test with which to compare them.
The bottom line
Unfortunately, getting a test for COVID-19 can be confusing, because the options are rapidly changing and tests from many companies are being marketed. Despite the current limitations of testing, we’re lucky to have reasonably accurate tests available so early in the course of a newly identified virus. Imagine where we’d be if that was not the case.
Still, we need better tests and better access to them. And all tests should undergo rigorous vetting by the FDA as soon as possible. Lastly, widely available tests and short turnaround times for results are essential for effective contact tracing and getting this virus under control.
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Coronavirus in San Diego: What you need to know
Coronavirus in Orange County | San Diego Covid Testing
THERE’S STILL MUCH to learn about the disease that has killed thousands of people and is changing life as we know it during this pandemic. But we do know some important basics about COVID-19 and the novel coronavirus—SARS-CoV-2—that causes it.
Coronaviruses are a large family, but only seven of its members infect humans. Four types cause minor illnesses like the common cold, while other coronaviruses have triggered far more devastating impacts such as SARS, MERS, and now COVID-19. Coronaviruses can be zoonotic, meaning they jump from animals to humans. Like its relatives, COVID-19 is primarily a respiratory disease that starts in the lungs, causing pneumonia-like symptoms, but can also cast a storm across the entire body.
The virus primarily spreads through small respiratory droplets.
Like other respiratory diseases, COVID-19 San Diego CA spreads through small droplets—saliva or mucus—that an infected person expels when they cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can travel three to six feet and remain infectious for anywhere from four to 48 hours, depending on the surface. (The virus may also spread via accidental consumption of fecal matter or aerosols, tiny particles that are mostly a concern in clinical settings.)
40,000
droplets
3,000
600
Sneezing
Coughing
Talking
droplets
per minute
On surfaces, it lives longer.
You can protect yourself from catching the virus by staying six feet away from others and washing your hands with soap and water for more than 20 seconds. Disinfectants that are at least 60 percent alcohol by volume can also kill the virus on plastic and stainless steel surfaces.
72 hours
24
Plastic and
stainless steel
4
Cardboard
Copper
Coronaviruses get their name from their spiky structure.
Like other coronaviruses, SARS-CoV-2 is spherical with spike proteins that look a bit like a corona, or crown.
Those spikes help the virus latch onto cells where it can invade.
Once a virus enters the human body through the eyes, mouth, or nose, it looks for cells with its favorite doorways—proteins called receptors. If the virus finds a compatible receptor, it can invade and start replicating itself. For SARS-CoV-2, that receptor is found in lung cells and the gut.
To gain access to the cell the virus binds to the receptor.
Once inside, the genetic material of the virus, or RNA, is released.
The infected cell reads the RNA and begins making proteins that will keep the immune system at bay.
Viral
proteins
As the infection progresses, these new proteins form copies of the virus.
New copies of the virus are assembled and carried to the outer edges of the cell, then go on to infect other host cells.
Age seems to factor in the severity of the disease.
Currently, children with COVID-19 may be less likely to require intensive care and also have lower fatality rates than adults. The difference in severity is not yet fully understood.
There isn’t a single diagnostic symptom, but some are more common.
87.9%
Fever
67.7
Dry cough
38.1
Fatigue
33.4
Phlegm production
18.6
Shortness of breath
14.8
Muscle and joint pain
People with chronic conditions have a higher mortality rate.
COVID-19 poses a particularly serious threat to people with underlying conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic lung disease, high blood pressure, and cancer.
10.5%
Cardiovascular disease
7.3
Diabetes
6.3
Chronic lung disease
6
High blood pressure
5.6
Cancer
0.9
No condition
Testing is done to diagnose the presence of the virus.
Swab samples taken from the nose or mouth are tested for the virus’s genetic material. Researchers are also developing protocols for tests using blood samples.
It could take at least one year before a vaccine is ready for public use.
To develop immunity, vaccines may contain killed or weakened viruses, viral proteins, or viral genetic material. The best strategy to use against SARS-CoV-2 is yet to be determined.
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Rapid COVID-19 Nasal Swab Test
Rapid COVID-19 Kit: Immunodiagnostic procedure for the detection of Coronavirus at home in 15 minutes.
Coronavirus is spreading continually across the world. Research-based companies are using different screening methods to screen suspected COVID-19 individuals. RT PCR technique is being used, which gives the results in3 -4 hours. Because of an unprecedented increase in the number of cases, the technique is not helping the cause. Most countries are relying on rapid testing technologies for COVID-19, which can provide results in just 15 minutes. And it is easy to use, portability is some of the features associated with rapid testing technologies. Rapid kits can also be deployed in hotspot areas of the country to screen asymptomatic as well as symptomatic patients to control the spread of this respiratory virus.
Rapid tests are also known as prick-based tests. These tests need not be conducted in laboratories. The presence of the antibodies pertaining to the Coronavirus can be easily detected with the help of Rapid COVID-19 Tests OC. Most of these kits are based on the IgG and IgM antibodies. The presence of these specific antibodies can help to detect whether Coronavirus infected the patient earlier or recently, the individual came in contact with COVID-19 infected individual.
Rapid COVID-19 kits are easy to use. The kits can be easily used at home by using a simple pricking needle, which is usually provided with the kit. Blood from the fingertip can be easily drawn with the help of this needle. The blood withdrawn can be put into the test cassette having the markings for the antibodies for IgG and IgM. Samples testing positive for IgG antibodies and IgM antibodies will show easily demarcated colors, which can be used to differentiate between positive and negative results. Serving as an internal control, one color line will always appear, which will indicate that the proper amount of specimen and sample has been added to the test cassette.
The results can be interpreted as follows:
IgM positive: An indication of primary COVID-19 infection.
IgG and IgM positive: An indication of secondary COVID-19 infection.
IgG positive: Indication of any past COVID-19 infection.
Negative: No infection of Coronavirus.
Invalid: Failure to detect the sample.
Rapid testing kits for home are available on the websites of top diagnostic companies. Most of the COVID-19 rapid test kits are accredited by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). These kits also can speed up the process of screening symptomatic as well as asymptomatic patients. So the most pronounced advantage of Rapid COVID-19 kits is that they can be deployed directly at the point of the care in hospitals and anywhere in the country where emergency conditions have advanced.
Rapid COVID-19 Test San Diego can also detect the presence of antibodies that released to the pathogenic virus. These kits can detect the presence of SARS-COV-2 qualitatively. Early detection of the Coronavirus can help the government authorities and health agencies to halt the spread of Coronavirus within communities.
Follow San Diego Covid Testing Clinic for more updates on Rapid COVID-19 kits and updates related to Coronavirus.
Stay Safe; Stay at home.
San Diego Rapid COVID Testing
If you think you may have COVID-19, the most important thing to do is to isolate yourself from others and contact your healthcare provider about testing and care. Most people will have a mild illness (or even no illness) and can recover at home without medical care and may not need to be tested. If testing is recommended, there are many FREE resources available and your provider should direct you to a location served by your health plan. If you do not have insurance, there are also many locations available for FREE testing.
There are three kinds of tests for for COVID-19: PCR/viral tests and serology/antibody tests.
- A PCR or molecular test tells you if you have a current infection. It is taken with a swab in the mouth, nose, or throat.
- An antigen test is a newer COVID-19 test that tells if you have a current infection. It is taken with a nasal or throat swab.
- An antibody (serology) test does NOT tell you if you are infected currently. It only tells you if you had a previous infection and currently is not recommended for individual use. It is done through a needle or fingerstick to get a blood sample.
For more information on the different types of tests visit HERE.
Resources on this page are for PCR/viral tests or antigen testing for COVID-19 in Orange County.
Who Should Get Tested?
People with symptoms of COVID-19 should get tested. The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure:
- Primary symptoms may include: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
- Other symptoms may include: fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea.
People without symptoms (asymptomatic) who meet the following Public Health criteria:
- Workers in congregate living settings such as skilled nursing facilities, jails, or homeless shelters.
- Healthcare workers and first responders.
- Individuals with close contact (15 minutes or more within 6 feet) to someone known or suspected to have COVID-19
- Essential workers – those with contact with the public such as grocery store workers, social service providers, government workers, etc.
Clearance from Isolation and Return to Work for Persons with Confirmed COVID-19 Infection
Persons with confirmed COVID-19 infection can have isolation precautions discontinued when their illness improves by three criteria:
- At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared and
- At least 24 hours have passed since the last fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and
- Other symptoms have improved.
CDC no longer recommends the test-based strategy to determine when to discontinue home isolation, except for rare exceptions.
COVID-19 Testing Locations in Orange County
There are more than 50 testing locations in Orange County offering free testing to most or all eligible people, and many more through individual healthcare providers. Click here for a current list of most sites.
Where Can I Get Tested?
Ask your healthcare provider about testing. If you have health insurance, contact your healthcare provider about FREE testing and care. If you do not know how to reach your healthcare provider, call the customer service number on your insurance card, or click here to view websites of major healthcare providers in Orange County.
The following types of testing sites are available:
- Drive-Thru Testing Clinics, Urgent Cares, and Labs. Many locations are now available for testing. They will utilize your health insurance with NO COPAY, and some - for example, CVS - will provide FREE testing for people without insurance. Contact them first to verify any costs and to make an appointment.
- San Diego COVID-19 Testing Network for those with Symptoms. If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or someone in your household has COVID-19, and you cannot get a test though your healthcare provider, you can get a FREE medical assessment (check-up) and a test through the OC COVID-19 Testing Network. These are community health centers that offer testing and care, even if you don’t have health insurance.
- San Diego COVID-19 Testing Super Sites for those with symptoms or meet other California Department of Public Health (CDPH) criteria. These sites offer appointment-based drive-thru COVID-19 testing for individuals who cannot get a test through their medical provider and have symptoms or meet CDPH criteria such as being a healthcare worker, first responder, and another essential worker; or had close contact to someone with COVID-19.
