COVID is an ongoing health crisis, affecting our elderly and immunocompromised in alarming numbers. While a majority of people survive the infection, they could wind up hospitalized, and many experience long-term complications. For this reason, you may want to get your kids tested to protect the vulnerable. Plus, the school may require if your little one was exposed. Either way, at StarLight Pediatrics, serving Holly Springs, NC, and the nearby region, Dr. Maria Castro is offering Covid testing. Here's what you should know.
General Information
COVID is a viral respiratory infection that causes symptoms ranging from a sore throat and headaches to breathing distress and pneumonia, among others. The virus spreads when people breathe out droplets containing the viral particles. Then, our people can breathe those in contact.
Although the research is constantly changing, a person tends to be most contagious two days before the onset of symptoms and three days after the symptoms arise. That's why it's important for a child to get tested if he or she has been exposed to the virus. It can prevent him or her from spreading it to others and can help you as a parent care for your child if he or she develops symptoms.
What to Expect During Testing
The test is relatively quick and straightforward. And we can get results for you within hours, alleviating the worry or isolating for no reason. Your child may receive either a nasal or throat swab. This allows our Holly Springs, NC, doctor to take a sample of the virus, particularly where it's hiding in most abundance in a majority of cases.
Our practitioner will then have the sample analyzed. If the test is a polymerase chain reaction test, also known as a PCR test, they look for pieces of the virus' RNA in the sample. They can test for all the current variants.
Your child could also receive an antigen test. It uses a nasal or throat swab as well. These are rapid tests to find active infections. It specifically looks for the nucleocapsid protein antigen of the virus.
When to Get Your Kid Tested
If you know your child or anyone in your immediate family was exposed to COVID, make sure you get your child tested. That way, you can know for certain that your child won't spread it to others.
If your kid has symptoms, it's also beneficial to get him or her tested.
At StarLight Pediatrics, Dr. Castro, serving Holly Springs, NC, and the nearby region offers COVID testing. If your child has symptoms or has been exposed, stop by for testing.
Book an appointment by calling (919) 762-5113.