COVID-19 Active Infection Test

Are you concerned that you may have been exposed to or infected with the COVID-19 virus? Choose the COVID-19 Active Infection test to detect SARS-CoV-2, the COVID-19 virus, even if you do not have any symptoms.

BUYING AN AT-HOME KIT>

$119.00

+ $6.00 Physician Service Fee

Who is getting tested? *

Quantity

Test Type

In Person

What

This test detects active COVID-19 infection in children and adults whether or not you have symptoms.

Treatment options may be available. See "After the Test" section.

Who

Anyone who has been exposed to COVID-19, currently has symptoms, or needs to provide proof of a negative test.

How

Type of sample to be collected:
Anterior nares (nasal) swab collection kit with in-person and at-home collection options.

Where

Find a location near you

In-person: a healthcare professional will observe while you complete the self-collection process yourself inside the location or in your vehicle

About the Test

The COVID-19 active infection test detects SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

This COVID-19 test may be helpful for those who:

Currently have symptoms of COVID-19
Live or work in a place where people reside, meet, or gather in close proximity (this can include healthcare settings, homeless shelters, assisted living facilities, group homes, prisons, detention centers, schools, and workplaces)
Have been in close contact with someone who has a confirmed case of COVID-19
Have been identified as someone who should get tested by an employer, public health department, contact investigator, or healthcare provider
Are visiting a place that requires testing prior to arrival
Do not have symptoms or known exposure to COVID-19, but who are unknowingly infected

This COVID-19 test may not be helpful for those who:

Currently have severe symptoms that limit daily activities. Seek medical attention right away if this is the case
Have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 3 months. When you test positive, you will not need to be tested again for 3 months as long as you do not develop new symptoms
This test is not intended for individuals who are on blood thinners or have had a previous trauma to their nose. This test is not intended for children with chronic illnesses (eg, asthma, kidney disease, heart conditions, sickle cell disease, etc). If your child has an underlying medical condition or if your child’s condition changes before you are able to obtain the test or the test result, please follow-up with your child’s healthcare provider for additional information about testing.

The COVID-19 Active Infection Test detects the presence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, at the time of taking the test.

COVID-19 is highly contagious. Cases of COVID-19 range from mild to severe. Most people infected with this virus have mild symptoms. Some people who are infected don’t have any symptoms and don’t feel sick but can still transmit the virus to others. More severe cases of COVID-19 have been seen in older adults and those with weakened immune systems or pre-existing health issues; however, serious illness can also occur in younger adults. While fewer children have been sick with COVID-19 compared to adults, they can also be infected, and serious illness can occur.

For more information on COVID-19 and Quest COVID-19 testing, please visit our QuestDirect FAQs.

Other helpful resources include:

Most people who get COVID-19 will either have mild symptoms or be asymptomatic. Symptoms of COVID-19 can include:

Fever or chills
Cough
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
New loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea

However, some people will have more severe symptoms. If you experience any of these severe symptoms contact a healthcare professional right away:

Persistent fever (lasting longer than 48 hours) greater than 102 °F
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
New confusion
Inability to wake or stay awake
Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone

This list does not include all possible symptoms. Please call your healthcare provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you. There are many causes of fever, cough, and shortness of breath. COVID-19 is just one condition that may cause these symptoms. This test does not rule out the possibility of other illnesses and infections that may be present instead of or in addition to COVID-19.

Our COVID-19 Active Infection Test is for children aged 2 or older and for adults who want to know if they have COVID-19. You must be over 18 years of age to purchase.

You do not need to do anything special to prepare for the sample collection. Fasting is not required for this test. If you choose our convenient at-home self-collection kit, your sample must be mailed back to us the same day you collect it. Detailed instructions will be included with each kit.

If you are purchasing testing on behalf of a child, you as the parent or legal guardian must supervise and can help assist with the sample collection.

When your results are ready, we will send them to you in a clear, easy-to-read report.

After receiving your results, you will have an opportunity to speak with a licensed physician, who can answer any questions you may have about your test results and help determine next steps in care including providing treatment options, if applicable.

If your results are positive for COVID-19, you will receive an alert call to inform you. Together, you and your physician may develop a personalized plan to treat your condition. If a medication is prescribed, it will be sent by the physician to the pharmacy of your choice.

We highly recommend that you speak with your healthcare provider regarding your next steps as well. We suggest you continue to follow your federal, state and local government guidance around social distancing and COVID-19 safety precautions. Your results If your results are positive (detected), it is important to contact your healthcare provider immediately, self-isolate, and monitor your symptoms.

If your results are negative (not detected), you were most likely not infected at the time of sample collection; however, it is important to note that in some cases there is not enough RNA in the sample to detect one or more of the viruses. This can happen in a percentage of cases during the different stages of infection. If you are experiencing symptoms, it is important to follow up with a healthcare provider for further evaluation, and to take protective measures to avoid infecting others.

How Does it Work?

In-person

Drive-through

Take an in-person test at a Quest Diagnostics location.

Over 2000+ locations focus on your safety, confidentiality and convenience.

Schedule your appointment after purchasing a test to minimize wait time.

Browse tests

Enter your zip code to find a Quest Diagnostics location closest to you.

Find a location

We will email you when your confidential results are available.

View results

Drive Through tests happen at Quest Patient Service Centers.

Schedule your appointment after purchasing a test to minimize wait time.

Book appointment

Enter your zip code to find a Quest center closest to you.

Find a location

We'll email you when your confidential results are available.

View results

Take control of your health

Conveniently shop and pay online for lab tests without a doctor's visit. An independent physician will review your request and if appropriate, confirm your order and offer oversight.

Schedule and manage your appointments

Conveniently schedule your appointment online at one of our Quest Diagnostics locations. Certain tests may also offer self-testing home delivery.

Get your results online

View your results through your secure account online. And it's easy to share the result with your doctor.

Your results are available on our free, secure patient portal that you can access on your smartphone, tablet, or desktop. You will receive an email notification when your results are ready. You can also share your results with your doctor, family, or friends.

FAQs

Is the COVID-19 Test Approved by the FDA?

This test has been authorized by the FDA under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). This means that while Quest Diagnostics has validated the test and has the data to believe the test and the collection kit are accurate, this test has not been FDA-cleared or -approved; This test has been authorized by FDA under an EUA for use by authorized laboratories; this test has been authorized only for the detection of nucleic acid from SARS-CoV-2, not for any other viruses or pathogens; and, this test is only authorized for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of emergency use on in vitro diagnostics for detection and/or diagnosis of COVID-19 under Section 564(B)(1) of the Act, 21 U.S.C. § 360BBB-3(B)(1), unless the authorization is terminated or revoked sooner. Additional studies need to be conducted for this test and others like it to be FDA cleared or approved.

Our references

The IgG and IgM antibody tests are intended for use as an aid in identifying individuals with an adaptive immune response to SARS-CoV-2, indicating recent or prior infection. Results are for the detection of SARS CoV-2 antibodies. IgG and IgM antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 are generally detectable in blood several days after initial infection, although the duration of time antibodies are present post-infection is not well characterized. At this time, it is unknown for how long antibodies persist following infection and if the presence of antibodies confers protective immunity. Individuals may have detectable virus present for several weeks following seroconversion. Negative results do not preclude acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. If acute infection is suspected, molecular testing for SARSCoV-2 is necessary. The tests should not be used to diagnose acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. False positive results for the test may occur due to cross-reactivity from pre-existing antibodies or other possible causes. The sensitivity of the IgM test early after infection is unknown. Due to the risk of false positive results, confirmation of positive results should be considered using a second, different IgM assay or an IgG assay. Samples should only be tested for IgM from individuals with 15 days to 30 days post symptom onset. SARS-CoV-2 antibody negative samples collected 15 days or more post symptom onset should be reflexed to a test that detects and reports SARS-CoV-2 IgG.

This test has not been FDA cleared or approved;
This test has been authorized by FDA under an EUA for use by authorized laboratories;
This test has been authorized only for the simultaneous qualitative detection and differentiation of nucleic acid from SARS-CoV-2, influenza A virus, and influenza B virus, and not for any other viruses or pathogens; and
This test is only authorized for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of emergency use of in vitro diagnostics for detection and/or diagnosis of COVID-19 under Section 564(b)(1) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C. § 360bbb-3(b)(1), unless the authorization is terminated or revoked sooner.

COVID-19 Active Infection Test

Who is getting tested? *

Test Type