A cold, the flu or COVID-19: What’s the difference?
A cold, the flu or COVID-19: What’s the difference? If you believe you have symptoms and might be infected with COVID-19, it’s best to be safe and get tested.
Who Should Be Tested?
Not everyone needs to be tested for COVID-19. Most people will have mild illness and can recover at home without medical care or testing. You should get a test for COVID-19 if you’re experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, have been exposed to a person who has COVID-19, or your doctor has recommended a test in advance of a procedure or surgery.
Where Can an Individual Be Tested?
Ohio State offers multiple testing locations. If you have an Ohio State provider, call that office directly to assess your symptoms or order a test. If you don't have a primary care provider, you can contact us at one of the numbers below to be assessed for the need for a COVID-19 test:
- Ohio State COVID testing triage: 614-293-4000
- Ohio State Telehealth Immediate Care: 614-293-3200
If you don't have COVID-19 symptoms and aren't considered high-risk for complications, you'll be referred to a community testing site.
Testing Information
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For Employers
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For Employees
Types of COVID-19 Testing
Once limited to a small segment of patients, testing has dramatically expanded and developed since the pandemic began. COVID-19 testing can answer two questions: Do you have COVID-19 now, or did you have it in the past?
Viral Tests: Do You Have COVID-19 Now?
There are two types of viral tests: PCR and antigen-based. For both, samples are collected using a swab that’s swirled deep in the nose. Remember that viral tests are a snapshot in time and only reflect a person’s condition at moment. To truly monitor if someone has the disease, you’d have to test them daily.
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PCR Test: Best for Diagnosis
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Antigen Test: Best for Screening
Antibody Tests: Were You Previously Infected with COVID-19?
Antibody tests are blood tests that show whether a person’s body created antibodies to fight off COVID-19.
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About Antibody Tests
Download Our Return to Work Guides
We’ve created these downloadable PDF versions of our guides for employees and employers to serve as a reference you can distribute within your organization as you plan your return to work.
Download the Co-Branded Employee Guide: If you would like to customize our employee guide for your organization, we’ve created a PowerPoint template where you can add your organization’s logo and include a custom introduction letter. To ensure the links within this document work, please save and send as a PDF.
