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RhodaV Asked January 2022

I want to have a COVID19 test. Where can I get one and how much is it?

I want to ensure that my cold symptoms are not associated with my contracting COVID19. Before going, I wanted to know what they need from me so I don't waste my time and gas.


None of the topics below fit this and I just want a COVID test. This is too complex for something so simple!

gladimhere Jan 2022
Here the state health department will be sending tests to those that requested for free.

Do you have any friends in education? The school districts in my state are able to get them on request. Two daughters have multiple tests for just in case.

BlueEyedGirl94 Jan 2022
You may need to call around. Where we live home tests are almost non-existent and you can go from store to store looking for one - your best option there is to go to a Walmart, CVS or other local drugstore as they open in the morning and cross your fingers - at one point they were running $25 each but I had heard that the restriction on how much the manufacturers could change had run out so don't be surprised if they are more expensive. You may be able to order from Amazon.

As far as medically administered PCR and rapid tests - again specific to where we are - the lines are extremely long - we are experiencing terribly high numbers here unfortunately. Honestly unless you just have to know you are almost better of just assuming you have it and treating it as if you do. You can call your doctor and ask if they have testing available or check urgent care options. Locally most of ours do not have availability at all. The testing clinics they have opened have full day waits in most cases - the local news has shown people lining up and sitting in line for hours - not to scare you - as I said our area is just super bad right now.

For the at home tests - if you get one you probably need to get two - because I think they recommend that you test twice.

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JoAnn29 Jan 2022
In my area there is a shortage of tests because so many people are contracting the new strain.

If you get a test too early, it may not read correctly. My daughter thought she had a head cold on Friday by Monday she was losing her smell. This was Thanksgiving so rapid tests were available and she bought 2. Both tested positive. Her job required a PCR so she went to the hospital. Took till the next day to get results.

You need to call around to pharmacies in ur area to see if they have the tests or local Hospital or Express clinic.

Sorry we cannot be of more help but this is a forum of Caregivers from all over the US, Canada, UK and other countries. We cannot tell you what is available in a specific area.

freqflyer Jan 2022
RhodaV, if you have had your shots and also your booster shot, the covid will last only 24 or so hours.

I had a break-thru case last month, the cold came on quickly, I was so tired, had a slight fever, wasn't hungry, stuffed up, and spent the day sleeping. The next day, the cold had disappeared, no trace. The covid vaccine did it's job !!

I did quarantine for 5 days after that, as recommended.
PenelopePitstop Jan 2022
I'm glad you are ok, but it's different for everyone. I know of 3 people, all vaccinated, who have had Covid recently. Two of the 3 described itchy throats only, but the 3rd one had fever, sore throat, and cough - which has surprised us all because we thought it would have been mild also - and he's under 30 and in tip top shape! Go figure!
InFamilyService Jan 2022
You should be able to get a free, drive up test done at a local pharmacy like CVS or Walgreens.

sp19690 Jan 2022
I am looking forward to the day the government stops picking up the tab for these tests. Another example of why free health care is a bad thing. That coupled with staffing shortages means that actual sick people are not getting the care they need. In michigan the wait time in the ER is 15 plus hours right now. Not because they are inundated with covid cases but because of staffing shortages and paranoid people going to the ER because they are afraid they have covid.
Becky04473 Jan 2022
I agree about the free tests. There should be individual responsibility to pay for your own care.
PenelopePitstop Jan 2022
In my area, you can easily get a test from CVS, but you have to make an appointment online and availability seems to be about a week out. I'm sure every area is different. I would go online and start checking places like CVS, Walgreens, etc. Maybe you will luck out and find a place that can get you in sooner. Usually, they have you fill out a questionnaire and you may have to upload your insurance info.

Grandma1954 Jan 2022
Where I am there seems to be a place to get tested on every corner.

Many drugstores will do testing you should make an appointment first.

Your local Health Department should either test of tell you where you can get tested.

Most places will test for free.

And there are some home tests that you can get but they sell out quickly

BarbBrooklyn Jan 2022
Where do you live? This is very much a geographuc availability issue.

In NYC, no problem. Elsewhere, I dont know.

PeggySue2020 Jan 2022
Immediate covid tests are in short supply, meaning trying your luck with Amazon, CVS, Walgreens etc. or being in a long line even with an appointment.

Given the above, I would not visit any seniors or anyone in the hospital with any symptoms. I'd wait at least five days and preferably 10 for all symptoms to go away.

notgoodenough Jan 2022
This is a support forum for caregivers.

Your best bet, if you're computer savvy is Google "covid tests near me".

If you're not computer savvy, either call your primary care physician, or contact your county health department.

You should be able to get a test free of charge, but you might have to make an appointment.

If you're experiencing symptoms, you really should call your PCP and be guided by what they suggest.

sp19690 Jan 2022
You have a cold. There is no reason to get a covid test. What would you do differently to treat your cold symptoms if you have it?
freqflyer Jan 2022
sp19690, how do you know she has a "cold"? Please note that covid starts out as a bad cold, then it may or may not advance into other symptoms, it depends on ones own immune system. The older one gets our immune system isn't as strong.

If one has covid, they need to quarantine for 5 days after a "positive" test result. And if others are living in the same household, everyone needs to wear a mask for those 5 days and also quarantine, and be tested.

My sig-other grown daughter and her two teen-age children, all 3 have tested positive for covid. None have been vaccinated. This is the 2nd time the grown daughter had gotten covid which had her down for the count for almost a month. She still had no sense of taste/smell when she caught it again.

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