A test cannot tell how sick you are.

COVID-19 tests look for pieces of the novel coronavirus such as genes or proteins. A positive test result means you have pieces of the virus in your body.

Some people with COVID-19 feel fine, while others get very sick and some die. Having more pieces of the virus in your body does not mean you will have more severe COVID-19 symptoms.

Most COVID-19 tests do not report how many pieces of the virus are in your body. Even if a test can measure the amount of virus in your body, it is not correlated with your health.

If you test positive, there are steps you can take to protect your health and the health of others.

Some ways to protect your health include:

• Watch for COVID-19 symptoms.

• Get medical care if you have any emergency warning signs.

• Follow instructions from your doctor or local health department.

• Rest and drink plenty of water.

Some ways to protect others include:

• Assume you are contagious, even if you do not feel sick. People who experience no symptoms can still spread the virus. Stay home and stay away from other people.

• If you visit a medical clinic or call 911, tell the clinic or dispatcher that you have COVID-19.

• Stay separated from others in your household, such as in a different room or part of your home. If you cannot isolate yourself, wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth.

• Tell those you have had close contact with in the last few days that they may have been exposed to COVID-19.

• Learn when it’s safe to be around others again after a COVID-19 infection.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• COVID-19 Responses and Resources – National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

• COVID-19 Testing Overview – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• COVID-19 Testing Toolkit – Center for Health Security at Johns Hopkins University

• National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine – Health and Medicine | Topic