What to Do If You Get a Positive At-Home COVID-19 Test Result

A positive at-home COVID-19 test result may appear to answer one concerning question ("Do I have the virus?") but lead to others ("Now what?"). So it can help to know more about what a positive test means and what to do next if you have a fever, cough, loss of smell, or other COVID-19 symptoms.

It's just as important to understand the limits of a test. The availability of a fast, at-home COVID-19 test is helpful to anyone with symptoms or who's been exposed to the virus. But an at-home test can give incorrect results too. Notably, the rapid antigen at-home tests can give a false negative, saying you don't have COVID when you really do.

This article explains how at-home COVID-19 tests work, their accuracy, and what to do with a positive test result. It also presents precautions that are still necessary, even if you take frequent at-home tests.

Which COVID Test Is More Accurate?

At-home COVID tests can be purchased from a pharmacy, retail store, or online. Look for a label denoting Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorization, since these tests have been evaluated by the FDA for reliability.

As of November 2022, there were 27 different at-home tests authorized by the FDA and sold over the counter, most of them antigen tests. All of these tests rely on a nasal swab from the nostrils and deliver results within 10 to 60 minutes. The most common time frame is 15 or 20 minutes.

These at-home tests are different from those mailed to a laboratory for analysis after you collect the sample at home. There are dozens of those PCR tests as well, with a longer delay until you receive results.

Regardless of the type of test, at-home tests are a great option for those experiencing COVID-19 symptoms who want to test before going to an in-person testing center.

Another type of test for COVID-19 is the antibody test, which requires a blood specimen. Self-tests do not detect antibodies, and this test should not be performed to diagnose an active COVID-19 infection.

Antibody tests demonstrate prior infection by testing for antibodies, which are proteins made by the body that remain in the blood after infection.

Some antibody tests may be positive in vaccinated people, since their bodies have also created certain antibodies.

Is a Positive At-Home Result Accurate?

During cold and flu season, symptoms like nasal congestion and fatigue don't necessarily mean COVID-19. But it can be challenging to tell the illnesses apart, since they share certain symptoms.

A negative result from an at-home test can be very reassuring, but know that certain situations and types of tests may require repeat or follow-up testing. As with any kind of medical testing, false negatives and false positives can happen. These decrease the accuracy of a test.

A false negative test means that the test result shows up as negative when the person actually does have COVID-19. This situation is more common with antigen tests, compared with PCR tests.

False negatives can happen due to improper specimen collection, which is why it's important to perform the test exactly as instructed by the kit. Keep in mind that COVID-19 variants may have mutations that make them undetectable by the specific test.

A false positive test means that the test shows a positive result when the person is not actually infected with COVID-19. False positive results are much less common and can happen due to a problem with the test kit itself. They can also occur for a period of time after a person has recovered from COVID-19.

A positive result should not be assumed to be a false positive, and action must be taken when a positive result is received.

Next Steps After a Positive COVID Test

At-home COVID tests are very specific, making false positive rates low. For this reason, a positive test result should not be considered a false positive, and you should take steps after receiving a positive test to decrease the chances of passing the virus to other people.

Steps you should take to protect others include:

• Isolate: Stay home and avoid contact with other people for at least five days. Tell your close contacts about the positive result. Wear a well-fitted mask if you are around others, preferably an N95 or KN95.
• Contact your healthcare provider: You should inform your healthcare provider of your positive test result. Contact them first either by phone or by electronic means.
• Receive care from your provider: Many healthcare providers are now offering the option of telemedicine, which is a great way to visit with a healthcare provider without exposing anyone else to the virus. If you require medical care in person, call ahead to inform the office that you have tested positive for COVID-19.
• Report your result: Go to MakeMyTestCount.org to share your positive or negative test. You don't have to provide any personal information, only general details like your zip code. The site helps public health authorities track case counts and positive test rates.

In some cases when COVID-19 infection is unlikely, a confirmatory PCR test can be considered after a positive result on the antigen test.

The CDC recommends that confirmatory PCR testing may be done for those who are fully vaccinated or have no known exposure to anyone with COVID-19. However, in the meantime, you should still isolate until the diagnosis is clarified.

Positive COVID Test and Isolation

After receiving a positive COVID-19 test, isolation is key to preventing the spread of the virus. You should isolate regardless of whether you have symptoms of infection.

To isolate properly, take the following measures:

• Stay home unless you require medical care.
• If you live with others, try to avoid contact as much as possible by staying in a separate room, and use a separate bathroom, if possible.
• Avoid contact with pets, since they can contract COVID-19.
• Wash hands frequently and disinfect high-touch surfaces like doorknobs, handles, light switches, and countertops.

Anyone with a positive at-home COVID-19 test should isolate for five days and then wear a mask for another five days. If you have a fever, continue to stay home until the fever resolves.

Positive Tests and Treatment

A positive at-home COVID-19 test doesn't necessarily require hospitalization or in-person treatment. Most cases of COVID-19 do not.

At-home care should include lots of rest and plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.

Over-the-counter fever-reducing medication, such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) and NSAIDs like Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen), can lower fever and ease body aches and headache. Cold and flu medications like decongestants and expectorants can also help relieve symptoms.

Stay in contact with your healthcare provider and let them know if you are experiencing worsening symptoms or have any questions. While most people do not experience severe symptoms, some have mild symptoms initially that worsen several days later.

Your healthcare provider may recommend certain treatments approved for treating COVID-19, particularly if you have underlying conditions that increase your risk for severe complications.

For example, the antiviral treatment Paxlovid can be given in an outpatient setting and is effective at reducing hospitalization and death in people with COVID-19. People who may benefit include those who:

• Are aged 65 and older
• Live with a compromised immune system
• Have heart or lung diseases
• Are diagnosed with diabetes
• Live with obesity

This medication is most effective when given as early as possible, within five days of when symptoms begin.

The information in this article is current as of the date listed. As new research becomes available, we’ll update this article. For the latest on COVID-19, visit our coronavirus news page.